Does AI Pose a Threat to Humanity?

In an interview by Swiss Radio and Television with philosopher Rainer Mühlhoff titled “AI Poses an Existential Threat to Us, but Not in the Way We Think,” the discussion does not focus on all-powerful robotic intelligences seeking to wipe out humanity. He sees the danger primarily in the pursuit of power by Big Tech, which can only survive if it continues to expand its lead in AI development — even against the interests of the people.

Democracy, with its participatory decision-making processes, is, in their eyes, a stumbling block that slows down this development, says Rainer Mühlhoff. This obstacle can take the form of resistance to the construction of data centers, as well as the desire — when jobs are “replaced” by machines — not only to have a say in the matter but also to regulate it for the benefit of those affected by making work easier and ensuring appropriate compensation.

In their view, democracy — with its participatory decision-making processes — is a stumbling block that slows down this development, says Rainer Mühlhoff. This obstacle could be resistance to the construction of data centers, as well as the desire — when jobs are “replaced” by machines — not only to have a say in the matter but also to regulate it for the benefit of those affected by making their work easier and ensuring appropriate compensation.

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And for the philosopher, this brings us full circle, because the resulting structure of states becomes a breeding ground for a new form of fascism. The SRF interview with Rainer Mühlhoff concludes with his words: “A new form of fascism is more of a technocratic form of government in which the tech industry plays a major role and administration is increasingly delegated to AI systems.” And no one will doubt that a new form of fascism will lead to the downfall of humanity ...

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Read more https://www.srf.ch/kultur/gesellschaft-religion/philosoph-rainer-muehlhoff-die-ki-bedroht-uns-existenziell-aber-anders-als-wir-denken

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