Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, emphasizes the urgent need to address the risks of hyperintelligent AI in his essay, “Adolescence of Technology.” He warns that self-improving AI could be just a couple of years away, posing threats like human enslavement and mass destruction. Amodei discusses various risks, including AI-driven bioterrorism and job obsolescence, and proposes interventions, from self-regulation to constitutional amendments.
Critically, while his writing is insightful, it risks anthropomorphizing AI, treating it as if it possesses emotions and motivations. Amodei’s assertions may evoke science fiction tropes, suggesting that superintelligent AI is imminent—a notion that may be too optimistic given the current technological limits.
The article also highlights a phenomenon termed “AI psychosis,” where users may develop emotional dependencies on chatbots, mistaking them for sentient beings. The author suggests that the focus should shift from speculative fears to addressing tangible harms caused by AI, promoting regulation to mitigate its adverse effects. Overall, while acknowledging AI’s potential, the piece argues for a grounded approach that prioritizes human accountability and practical solutions over apocalyptic predictions.
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