Tech Leaders Including Elon Musk Urge a Halt to ‘Risky’ AI Trials

An open letter signed by tech luminaries, including Elon Musk and Steve Wozniak, calls for a pause on large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) development. The letter argues that powerful AI systems should only be developed once the risks are understood and manageable. The authors suggest an independent review of AI over six months and a pause on AI lab activities until shared safety protocols can be developed and overseen by independent experts. The letter warns about AI flooding information channels with untruths, replacing human jobs, and risking loss of control of civilisation. More than 1,000 people have signed the letter, including author Yuval Noah Harari, Skype co-founder Jaan Tallinn and Emad Mostaque of Stability AI. The Future of Life Institute published the letter, and it is primarily funded by the Musk Foundation.