Artificial intelligence: 10 things we could and should do right now

By: Eli Amdur
Vantage Point
USA Today Network
06/04/2023

..... If it seems artificial intelligence is the biggest technological advancement in history, that's because it is. Not only that, but also the amount of print, on air, and Online coverage is without precedent. On one hand, today's column is just adding to the pile of verbiage.
.... But on the other, it affords the opportunity to propose 10 critical commitments we should and could make, other than repeating the most worn-out and useless mantra that "it's scary."
..... Of course, it's scary. So were the atomic and hydrogen bombs, breaking the genetic code, Columbus' first voyage, Hillary's and Norgay's ascent of Everest, and so on.
..... That's not the issue; what we do now is the issue.
..... Probably nobody in history has a greater sense of what would ensure - at the moment of an invention or discovery - than Samuel F.B. Morse.
..... When he demonstrated his civilization-changing but beautifully simple code for telegraphy - the first time in history a message was sent without being physically delivered - he famously, presciently keyed in: "What hath God wrought?"
..... If we know what's good for us, we will thoughtfully - and with a sense of urgency and immediacy - do the same. Now, far be it from me to have all the answers; I don't even have all the questions. But I've done more than my share of research, writing, identification of experts and reporting on the subject. Before we get to my list, let's acknowledge that change has fundamentally changed. It is now defined and assessed in terms of nature, pace and scope.
..... The nature of change is that where it belonged only to the wealthy and powerful throughout history, it now belongs to anyone with a viable idea, the "two guys in a garage" phenomenon: Jobs and Wozniak, for example, or Page and brin.
..... The pace - well, no comment necessary. Adm as for the scope, never has change traveled so far so fast.
..... And so, here are my 10 suggestions to start a list that will certainly ... change

Combat misinformation, disinformation and lies.

..... Nobody has the "how" to this one yet, but it would do us well to be guided by the thoughts of Rene Descartes, Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Isaac Asimov (more on him below), Charles Darwin and Alexander Hamilton.

Make truth easier to verify.

..... This is not the converse of #1. It is a cohabitant of the same universe. But it's not as simple as an eight-dollar check mark on your posts.

Begin to set a framework for standards.

..... We're nowhere near knowing what these will be, but we must start, guided by Isaac Asimov's prophetic "Three Laws of Robotics" which he published in his 1950 novel, "I, robot" (1) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. (2) robot must obey the orders given ti by human begins except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. (3) A robot must protect its own existence as long as suit protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law: A robot may not later he added the Zeroth Law: A robot mayn't harm humanity, or, by inaction, allow humanity to come to harm.

Build in flexibility.

..... Organic change will be AI's air supply and will keep it healthy.

Support and accelerate critical research and exploration.

..... There are far more things yet to discover than have been discovered in all of history. that's the fun part of this - and its' why we need to keep asking questions like "What hath God wrought?"

Spawn new, unimagined occupations.

..... Once again, don't ask. Seek.

Build AI into curricula of every field of study.

..... This can't be an add-on; it has to be embedded.

Require regulation.

..... Compliance with and accountability to universal standards are critical, but we should leave the details to those who know it best: the creators and developers.

Go back to teaching critical thinking skills and civics.

..... The reason AI is so effective as a platform of deceit is that we have abandoned these disciplines in our education systems. Empires have fallen for this reason.

Set three types of goals:

..... Firm short-term goals, because we need sure-footedness now; malleable midterm goals, because things will change and appear fast; and vague but wildly inspirational longterm goals. because, as Albert Einstein said, "If at first an idea ins not abused, then there is no hope for ti."
..... And so, with hope.

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