Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, supported on Wednesday that artificial intelligence needs limits, otherwise the harm to humans will be greater than any good the technology offers. 
“Artificial intelligence will be either the greatest equalizer ever invented, or the worst source of injustice,” he said in a 6.000-word essay titled “The turbulent AI era is here. The choices we make now are critical . ”
“Even under the best of circumstances, the transition to this new era of artificial intelligence will be one of the most turbulent times in human history,” he said, adding that “I see no evidence that leaders, experts, and communities are adequately addressing the challenges. There is no plan to ease the transition into the age of artificial intelligence.”
Artificial intelligence can bring great benefits in areas such as agriculture and medicine, he argued, such as major breakthroughs in preventing and treating diseases. But he also said the transition carries great risks, such as widespread unemployment, harm to children's educational and social development, and making it easier for criminals and thugs - or AI itself - to cause deliberate harm.
“As the models become more powerful, they could start to act against our interests and we could lose control,” he said. These risks need to be controlled quickly, Gates said.
“If someone had a credible plan for slowing down the progress of AI globally, I would probably support it. However, I don’t think that will happen. Geopolitical and economic incentives are pushing companies too hard to move forward at full speed.”
In an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, which aired Wednesday night, Gates said that AI models have become much more powerful and at a faster rate than he expected. "They are now capable of causing cyberattacks, bioterrorism, and psychosocial problems," he said. "I have to say I'm kind of shocked that the exact criteria by which we review these models and the actions we take to minimize the damage are completely missing."
In his essay, Gates suggests taxing Artificial Intelligence or robots the way we pay a worker's payroll tax, to slow the risk of AI taking our jobs.
“My message to leaders is: You have the opportunity to act now, before unemployment skyrockets, communities are hurt, and public trust is eroded. You can ensure that AI benefits everyone. And you can work with other governments to address this national and global challenge.”
Although the press releases will range from very select to rare, I said I'd pass...because sometimes the editors hide.
