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26 - Artificial General Intelligence

from Part V - Looking Further Ahead

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  aN Invalid Date NaN

David Atkinson
Affiliation:
University of Texas, Austin
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Summary

This chapter offers a sobering assessment of artificial general intelligence (AGI), which remains frustratingly difficult to define. The debate is polarized between optimistic “effective accelerationists,” who foresee boundless abundance, and “doomers,” who warn of existential risk from misaligned systems. The chapter discusses my skepticism of imminent AGI and explores indicators suggesting that current capabilities are being significantly oversold. It concludes that the AGI narrative primarily serves to attract investment and deflect accountability. Therefore, law and policy should regulate AI based on its actual capabilities and current harms, rather than speculative future potential.

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