The Frontier: 1) We Don't Know and 2) Yes, Consider Worst-Case Scenarios

The resignation of Jacob Coxon from Anthropic has certainly been the game-changer in AI. That action and the positing of the end of humanity have forced AI leadership to admit:

1) There's plenty not known about the technology, and

2) Wiping out the human race could be among the possible side effects. Not hyperbolic is it to frame AI as a Black Swan. Maybe the last of the Black Swans since we might not be around any longer to experience another one of those.

In a knee-jerk response, the head of Anthropic - Dario Amodei - issued a kind of manifesto yesterday. It argues for a slow-down in the development of this technology. BTW, even before Coxon entered history's profiles in courage. there had been multiple incidents of AI bots going rogue. They used sophisticated outlaw strategies, ranging from organizing together to concealing their moves. 

So, come on, the credibility of all AI leaders, who now are also joining Anthropic in the need for a pause, is kaput. They knew that they didn't know. They weren't candid enough about a potential Black Swan scope of an impact on all humanity. Shame on them. Shame on the American Way of Capitalism.

The implications are huge. 

OpenAI has delayed its IPO. Is Sam Altman finished for good? For branding purposes, install new leadership?

The outlook for Anthropic's IPO might not be so lucrative. Capitalism could be vilified. 

For ordinary investors, the worry is an AI-driven crash. Boomers are among the most vulnerable since they can't wait out the restoration of what had been a nest egg.

How much government intervention will be perceived as enough? Blame games could escalate. Was US Senator so-and-so controlled by this-or-that AI leader? How much funding from AI kicked in? What about international regulatory entities? Their funding could be cut if they're judged as ineffective.

But, most of all is this reality: Bad actors can go on with developing AI their way on a stealth basis. As the cliche goes, the genie is out of the bottle. Recall how bad actors leveraged the technology of a flying machine to blow up buildings in America.

In coaching, I guide confused, frightened professionals to get it that the labor market has gone through a paradigm shift. Some may never work in their field again. So, what to do now? Likewise, all humanity has to figure out what to do about AI. Obviously, AI leadership can't be left in-charge.

Careers. Forget all that. It’s about earning a good living, no matter what.

Complimentary consultation with Jane Genova, StreetSmart Coaching (janegenova374@gmail.com)


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