The malicious uses of AI: Why it’s urgent to prepare now

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), considered oxymorons by some, are changing many facets of our lives. “I believe 2018 is the year that this [artificial intelligence] will start to become mainstream, to begin to impact many aspects of our lives in a truly ubiquitous and meaningful way,” Ralph Haupter, president of Microsoft Asia, tells Catherine Clifford in this CNBC post.

However, all of the good brought about by enlisting AI and ML does not negate that technology, in of itself, even AI and ML, cannot discriminate between good and evil, which means individuals and organizations intent on harm or criminal gain will benefit from their use as well.

That fact has not gone unnoticed. Academics, as well as business leaders, are voicing their concerns. For example, last year 100 robotic and AI entrepreneurs sent an open letter to the United Nations asking for a ban on autonomous killer robots.