A group of leading technology executives, researchers, academics and others from around the world have signed an open letter prepared by the Future of Life Institute calling for a six-month pause on large, human-competitive artificial intelligence (AI) experiments. As of March 31, more than 1,800 CEOs and 1,500 professors had signed the letter.

“AI labs are locked in an out-of-control race to develop and deploy ever more powerful digital minds that no one—not even their creators—can understand, predict or reliably control,” the letter contends. The authors are concerned that “AI systems are now becoming human-competitive at general tasks.” 

While AI systems grow more powerful, there is no natural law or barrier to technical progress. The letter’s authors and signers are asking all AI labs to pause the training of powerful AI systems so that safety protocols can be implemented to ensure the effects of these systems will be positive and the risks manageable. According to the letter, “If such a pause cannot be enacted quickly, governments should step in and institute a moratorium.”

Individuals can view and sign the letter at Tinyurl.com/AImoratorium.

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