AI has potential to create 'dystopia or utopia', minister says

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Artificial intelligence (AI) could create a 'dystopia' if advancements in technology aren't handled properly, but its usefulness shouldn't be overlooked, says a government minister.

Paul Scully, minister for technology and the digital economy, told the TechUK Tech Policy Leadership Conference on Tuesday that the focus should not just be on a "script-style Terminator".

Earlier this year, Scully contributed to the government's white paper on guiding innovation in AI while maintaining public confidence in the technology.

We've got to take a bit of a break to make sure we're doing the right thing for all of the society, as well as for the benefit of the sector

Paul Scully MP

He told attendees: "If we get this wrong, there is a dystopian point of view that we can follow here. There is also a utopian point of view. Both can be possible.

"If all you're talking about is the end of humanity because of a Terminator-style rogue storyline, you're going to miss all the good that the AI ​​is already working - how it maps proteins to help us in medical research, how it helps us fight climate change.

"All of these things it already does and will only get better.< /p>< p>"We need to take some time off to make sure we are doing the right thing for society as a whole, as well as for the benefit of the industry."

M . Scully said that many of the principles set out in the white paper on AI governance "must be done internationally".

He added, "If you measure countries working on AI , we're probably about third in the world, so we already have good credibility.

"We want to make sure that companies can feel they can get big, grow and stay in the UK. United and having a level playing field in this digital age."

Mr Scully's comments come after an adviser to Rishi Sunak said AI could lead to technological advancements that by the sequel would "kill many humans".

Matt Clifford is working with the government on the Foundation Model Taskforce, which is studying ChatGPT and Google Bard.

He said on Monday that those working on AI should be regulated globally to ensure control of systems is not lost.

Mr. Clifford told TalkTV, "I think there are many different types of risks with AI and often in the industry we talk about short term and long term...