2023-05-29 Should we fear AI 我们应该害怕人工智能吗？

人工智能领域的专业人士因担心该行业的发展对人类构成的潜在威胁而呼吁暂停对强大人工智能系统的培训。他们对该行业前景的担忧是真实必要的吗？我们是否应更感谢人工智能技术给人类提供的帮助？本期节目讨论该技术的发展是否会带来潜在的风险。

词汇：technology 科技

There is no doubt that artificial intelligence – or AI – has become an important part of our lives. It is no longer just a thing of science fiction: it’s an incredible technological breakthrough that has changed the way we live. But there are fears that AI has become too intelligent and could be a threat to humanity.

This claim might sound extreme, but a letter signed by more than 1,000 technology experts, including Tesla boss Elon Musk, called on the world to press pause on the development of more advanced AI because of the risks. Estonian billionaire Jaan Tallinn, for example, who helped develop communication app Skype, thinks we should be cautious. And The Future of Life Institute, a not-for-profit organisation, says that there should be a temporary pause in advanced AI development, saying that “AI systems with human-competitive intelligence can pose profound risks to society and humanity.”

This pessimistic outlook is supported by a report by investment bank Goldman Sachs that says AI could replace the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs. But it may also mean new jobs and a productivity boom. We may argue that AI such as chatbots can help us. State-of-the-art ChatGPT, for example, has been helping some students write assignments. AI is allowing computers to think or act in a more human way. And machine learning means computers can learn what to do without being given explicit instructions. The technology is impressive, but as it starts to think for itself, will it outsmart us?

Some people are more optimistic. AI advocates say the tech is already delivering real social and economic benefits for people. Meanwhile, the founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, has called on governments to work with industry to “limit the risks” of AI. But he says the technology could save lives, particularly in poorer countries. He says, “Just as the world needs its brightest people focused on its biggest problems, we will need to focus the world’s best AIs on its biggest problems.” If this happens, maybe humanity will have a future.

词汇表

artificial intelligence 人工智能，简称 “AI”
science fiction 科幻小说、电影等作品
breakthrough 重大进展，突破
humanity 人类
press pause 按下暂停键，叫停
advanced 先进的
communication app 通讯应用程序
human-competitive 拥有与人类竞争能力的
profound 重大的，深刻的
replace 取代，代替
productivity 生产率
chatbot 聊天机器人
state-of-the-art 最先进的，应用最新技术的
machine learning 机器学习
impressive 给人留下深刻印象的
outsmart 在智力上胜过，比…更聪明
advocate 支持者，提倡者
brightest 最聪明的

测验与练习

1. 阅读课文并回答问题。

1. What have over a 1,000 technology experts demanded in a letter they signed?

2. Who said the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs would be replaced by AI?

3. What AI technology has been helping some students to write their assignments?

4. True or false? AI advocates say that AI will outsmart us.

5. Who has Bill Gates asked to work together to “limit the risk” of AI development?

2. 选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. Our funding has run out, so we need to _______ on the project.

pause press                press pause                   press paused            pausing press

2. The online _______ dealt with my query when the bank was shut.

advocate                     science fiction                chatbot                      humanity

3. I bought a _______ smartphone but it’s too complicated for me to use!

state-in-the-art            state-at-the-art               art-in-the-state          state-of-the-art

4. He was the _______ boy in the school and always got top grades in his exams.

brightest                      outsmart                        impressive                 profound

5. The airline claims to be using one of the most _______ aircraft which emits less greenhouse gas than older aircrafts.

profound                      breakthrough                 advanced                  productivity

答案

1. 阅读课文并回答问题。 

1. What have over a 1,000 technology experts demanded in a letter they signed?

A letter signed by more than 1,000 technology experts have called on the world to press pause on the development of more advanced AI because of the risks.

2. Who said the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs would be replaced by AI?

A report by investment bank Goldman Sachs said AI could replace the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs.

3. What AI technology has been helping some students to write their assignments?

ChatGPT has been helping some students write assignments.

4. True or false? Advocates of AI say that AI will outsmart us.

False. AI advocates say the tech is already delivering real social and economic benefits for people.

5. Who has Bill Gates asked to work together to “limit the risk” of AI development?

Bill Gates has asked governments to work with industry to “limit the risks” of AI.

2. 选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. Our funding has run out, so we need to press pause on the project.

2. The online chatbot dealt with my query when the bank was shut.

3. I bought a state-of-the-art smartphone but it’s too complicated for me to use!

4. He was the brightest boy in the school and always got top grades in his exams.

5. The airline claims to be using one of the most advanced aircraft which emits less greenhouse gas than older aircrafts.