Notes from #WebSummit: Opening Address from Stephen Hawking

The impending impact of AI on humanity: for better, or for worse.

Details
Date: November 6, 2017
Time: 7:00pm
Opening Night, Centre Stage

Speakers
Stephen Hawking, English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, author and Director of Research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology at the University of Cambridge

Main Theme

The iconic Stephen Hawking shared a powerful (surprise) message to the world’s tech community… especially those working on AI (one of the most powerful technological trends of our century) The TL;DR?

…Don’t f*ck it up.

The Key Quote

“I am an optimist, and I believe that we can create AI for the good of the world… that it can work in harmony with us. We simply need to be aware of the dangers, identify them, employ the best possible practice in management, and prepare for its’ consequences well in advance.”

“Success in creating effective AI could be the biggest invention of this period of civilization, or the worst… We just don’t know, so we cannot know if we will be infinitely helped by AI or ignored by it and sidelined, or conceivably destroyed by it, unless we learn how to prepare for and avoid the potential risks. AI could be the worst invention of the history of our civilization.”
- Stephen Hawking

Key Themes & Quotes

1. The impact of AI on humanity: “There are many challenges and opportunities facing us at this moment. I believe that the biggest of these is the impact of AI…The rise of powerful AI will be either the best, or the worst thing ever to happen to humanity.”
2. AI exceeding human intelligence: “There is unlimited potential for what the human mind can learn and develop. So, if my reasoning is correct, it also follows that computers can, in theory, emulate human intelligence… and exceed it. We cannot predict what we might achieve when our own minds are amplified by AI.”
3. AI as a force for good: “Perhaps with the rules of this new technological revolution, we will be able to undo some of the damage done to our natural world by the last one: industrialization. We will aim to finally eradicate disease and poverty. Every aspect of our lives will be transformed.”
4. Automation: “Already, we have concerns that clever machines will be increasingly capable of undertaking work currently done by humans, and swiftly destroy millions of jobs.”
5. Ethics: “We need to employ best practices in effective management in all areas of this development. Perhaps we should all stop for a moment and focus on making our AI more capable and successful, but on maximizing its’ societal benefit.”
6. Industry impact: “AI can be a way forward from economics and law to computer security.”
7. A core set of fundamental values: “We all have a role to play to ensure that we, and the next generation, have not just the opportunity but the determination to engage fully in the study of science and early level so that we can go on to fulfill our potential. We can create a better world for the whole human race.”
8. Take Action: “We need to take learning beyond the theoretical discussion of how AI should be, and take action to make sure we plan for how it can be.”
9. Think big: “You all have the potential to push the boundaries of what is accepted, and to think big. We stand on the threshold of a brave new world. It is an exciting, yet precarious place to be, and you are the pioneers. I wish you well.”

Reflections

Hawking’s powerful talk had a strong undercurrent: that we (as technologists, scientists, and creators) are at the helm of this game-changing technology. We are capable of shaping it in any which way… which is why, with great power comes great responsibility.

“Perhaps many of you here today have answers to the many questions AI poses. We all have a role to play in making sure that you, the next generation, are the influencers. You need to make it work.”
- Stephen Hawking

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