We are at an age where technological advancement is moving at a fast pace, and while that sounds like a good situation for a better future, some would argue there are certain innovations that could lead to catastrophic outcomes. Christopher Nolan, director of "Oppenheimer," seems to think so.
Letting the Movie Serve as a Warning
There are countless brilliant minds in the world throughout time, and a lot of them contribute great things to humanity. Some, however, regret what they created. One of those is J. Robert Oppenheimer, also known as the father of the atomic bomb.
As the film based on the life of the theoretical physicist is gaining traction, the director of "Oppenheimer" was asked what Silicon Valley should learn from it. He says they would want them to take away the "concept of accountability," as mentioned in The Verge.
Silicon Valley is the heart of technological innovation and development, and of all the places where destructive inventions could come from, there's a huge possibility that they would come from there. As such, it was what the interviewers had in mind when it came to lesson takeaways.
Nolan continued, saying that companies have been "bandying about words like 'algorithm,' not knowing what they mean in any kind of meaningful, mathematical sense" in the last 15 years, also claiming that they don't want to take responsibility for what algorithm does.
The esteemed director went on to compare it to AI as well, pointing out that it was a terrifying possibility, providing instances such as AI systems going into defense infrastructure wherein it will be in charge of nuclear weapons as a separate entity.
Leading researchers in the AI field refer to their developments now as their Oppenheimer moment, according to Nolan as he asked them. The individuals are pondering on the responsibilities of scientists and the unintended consequences of their inventions.
J. Robert Oppenheimer, among many inventors, is a prime example of that. His role in the Manhattan Project led to the creation of the atomic bombs "Little Boy" and "Fat Man," with the former killing around 140,000 in Hiroshima and the same death toll as the latter in Nagasaki.
Potential Risks of AI
People can't help but relate the development of AI with the events of the bombings, especially since it could serve as a cautionary tale for what could come from inventions that have gotten out of hand. Even AI experts are wary of the dangers that could come from powerful AI models.
There are leaders in the tech world who have urged AI developers to pause, or perhaps slow down with AI advancements and ponder on the threats it could lead to such as security risks and even destructive outcomes.
One that we are already facing now is job displacement. There have been several reports saying that employees have been replaced with AI models. According to Interesting Engineering, the OECD even believes that AI will affect skilled jobs more.
