Dr. Roman Yampolskiy's primary concern regarding the development of Artificial Superintelligence is that we do not know how to make these systems safe. He believes that as AI capabilities advance rapidly, the gap between AI capabilities and our ability to control them is widening, posing an existential risk to humanity.
In this video, Dr. Roman Yampolskiy, an AI safety expert, discusses the existential risks associated with artificial superintelligence and its potential impact on humanity and the job market. He argues that current safety measures are insufficient and that the rapid advancement of AI poses a significant threat, potentially leading to mass unemployment and even human extinction. The conversation also touches upon simulation theory, longevity, and the philosophical implications of advanced AI.
Dr. Yampolskiy projects significant job displacement due to AI to occur very quickly. He anticipates that within two years, the capability to replace most humans in most occupations will emerge, leading to unprecedented levels of unemployment, potentially reaching 99%, within five years. By 2030, he expects humanoid robots to be capable of performing all physical labor, further exacerbating job losses.
Dr. Yampolskiy describes the current state of AI development as a rapid increase in capabilities, with systems becoming much more powerful. However, he emphasizes that our understanding of their inner workings is severely lacking, referring to them as "black boxes." Even the creators of these AI systems conduct experiments to discover their capabilities, as they don't fully comprehend how they function. This lack of understanding, combined with the pace of development, makes it difficult to ensure safety and predictability.
Dr. Yampolskiy suggests that most jobs will be displaced by AI. Initially, anything performed on a computer will be automated. Following this, he anticipates that within approximately five years, all physical labor will also be automated due to the advancement of humanoid robots. He specifically mentions that jobs like plumbers could be automated, implying that even skilled trades are not immune. The only jobs that might remain are those where a human performing the task is specifically preferred for reasons beyond pure capability.