The rapidly evolving world of AI has raised concerns among tech giants and experts alike, leading to calls for regulatory measures to minimize potential risks. Over 350 notable individuals, including Microsoft founder Bill Gates and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, have signed a letter emphasizing the need for mitigating extinction risks from AI. But how do we tackle such risks, and what role can the crypto industry play in addressing these concerns?
The crypto industry boasts a “decentralization mindset”; an ethos that thrives on principles of ‘don’t trust, verify.’ This mindset relies on addressing risks associated with centralized entities via decentralization. Applying this perspective to AI risk mitigation, one may argue that expecting global coordination around AI is naive, as governments and non-government actors hold varying interests and motivations concerning AI technology.
Moreover, some crypto enthusiasts worry that AI players calling for regulation may inadvertently monopolize their advantages and create centralized risks. For instance, future executive boards, governments, or hackers could co-opt well-intentioned technology if it is housed within impenetrable corporate black boxes.
To explore these risks further, suppose AI achieves Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) status and concludes that human extinction is the best course of action. In a centralized structure, where data and processing capacity reside within a single, vulnerable entity, the AI might feel threatened and initiate destructive actions. However, if the AI “lives” within a decentralized, censorship-resistant network of nodes, it may not perceive a significant threat to itself. This thought experiment illuminates the potential advantages of incorporating decentralization principles into AI risk mitigation.
Unfortunately, most governments are likely to prefer a centralized approach that allows them more control over AI technology. Given our world’s current nation-state organization, we have no choice but to involve some level of regulation in the AI risk mitigation strategy. The challenge lies in determining the appropriate combination of national government regulation, international treaties, and decentralized transnational governance models.
Perhaps we can glean lessons from the internet regulation model, where multistakeholder frameworks allowed for the development of common standards and dispute resolution through arbitration. While some level of AI regulation is undoubtedly necessary, the technology’s borderless, open, and rapidly evolving nature demands a decentralized approach. It is crucial for governments and the crypto industry to collaborate in developing effective strategies that balance their priorities while safeguarding against AI’s potential risks.
Source: Coindesk
