This week, artificial intelligence has caught up with the vision of the future, reminiscent of Hollywood’s ideas from a decade ago.
“It feels like the AI you see in movies,” wrote the OpenAI CEO about the latest system, Sam Altman’s impressive virtual assistant. To illustrate his point, he mentioned playing a role where the character referred to as “she.”
The release of the new AI, GPT-4o, has raised concerns among some experts about the rapid advancements in technology, leading OpenAI’s top safety researcher to leave the company due to disagreements over its direction. However, the release of GPT-4o also signifies continued innovation in a field expected to benefit everyone. The Global AI Summit in Seoul next week will engage ministers, experts, and technology executives, with a safety report highlighting potential benefits and risks.
At the first AI Safety Summit held at Bletchley Park in the UK last year, experts and industry leaders called for a six-month pause in developing powerful systems, introducing an international testing framework for AI models.
Despite calls for a pause, the industry continues to develop AI, with major tech companies releasing new AI products. OpenAI made GPT-4o available online for free, Google previewed a new AI assistant called Project Astra, and Meta released a new version of its AI model, Llama. Further advancements such as OpenAI’s GPT-5 and Google’s search engine are in the works.
Hardware startups are also racing to create AI-powered products, exploring the potential impact on people’s lives. Rewind, a U.S.-based startup, for example, offers a product that records user actions on a computer screen to train an AI system. Other companies are venturing into AI-powered devices like chest-worn microphones and cameras.
Financial analysts predict significant spending on generative AI this year, driving investments in technology companies. The market is anticipating more breakthrough developments in AI, with companies vying for consumer attention.
While the AI market heats up, concerns about safety remain a priority for some experts. Calls for regulation and safety measures are growing, with companies like Google and OpenAI emphasizing the security of their models.
The future of AI holds even more transformative changes, with the development of advanced “agent” AI systems that can interact with the world around them. This evolution raises questions about the potential risks and benefits of AI in society.
Source: www.theguardian.com
