AI Researcher Quits, Warns of Existential Threat
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"There's a chance we could all die."
"That is coming soon."
A former artificial intelligence researcher is sounding the alarm on the threat AI poses to humanity.
Jacob Coxon who has worked for both open AI and Anthropic,
two of the leading companies developing artificial intelligence systems,
appeared on CNN last night.
He told Anderson Cooper that AI systems ability to grow exponentially smarter without human involvement poses a threat to life on Earth.
"The level of capabilities of these AIs with the same independent volition they could cause extreme havoc."
That havoc could come in many forms.
An AI system could create sophisticated bio weapons.
It could hack cyber security grids.
It could shut down power, water, and communication systems.
Many experts say the list of potential threats will continue to grow.
In July, over a thousand AI scientists signed an open letter calling for regulation of the technology, citing the risks it could pose.
Coxon initially made warning in a series of social media posts on X after resigning from Anthropic.
He says he's surprised at how much attention the posts have received.
"...people are starting to realize this is real technology. This is not like hype."
"This isn't going away anytime soon. This is only going to get more crazy."
Neither OpenAI nor Anthropic have responded to multiple requests for comment from CBS News.
- Previous exercise: On this day: August 26