Technology companies and governments should strike new partnerships to ensure artificial intelligence is not harnessed for “terrifying” purposes including new weapons systems, experts have said.
In a panel discussion the audience was warned about the potential for their minds to be controlled and false memories implanted by advanced technologies and that these inventions could potentially be weaponised.
Sophisticated face-swapping and voice mimicking technology could also be used for sinister ends, for example by impersonating politicians and convincing the public they had make speeches they had not, it was warned.
Politicians were urged to open a deeper dialogue with the companies developing the new systems, to ensure that the many potential benefits of innovations such as artificial intelligence and robotics are captured and the risks minimised.
Helene Holm-Pedersen, an adviser for the European External Action Service, the EU's foreign and defence ministry, said there was an appetite among tech companies for governments to step in to provide ethical leadership. Some workers developing new technologies, she said, were increasingly becoming concerned about how their inventions could be misused.
“Is there a common interest in trying to contain some of the worst abuses? I think there is,” she said. “We are entering a world where not only are tech actors becoming foreign policy players but they are also looking for us to come back into the world of technology and help provide ethical leadership, public leadership.”
She said a conversation should be held between tech companies, government and civil society to solve problems around both development of positive new innovations, as well as those which have “terrifying implications if left unchecked”.
“In a sense we need to have a new conversation between those who are leading the charge, developing the new technologies, and those of us who represent governments in order to get the diagnoses right, about the dangers and opportunities,” she said.
“I think we need to repersonalise technology. Many big tech companies, which are putting on the market the technologies, there are people behind those who are often quite concerned about some of the dual uses of the technologies they are developing too.”
The EU recently launched a new global tech panel, aimed at bringing industry, civil society, acadmics and government together, as well as fostering ties with diplomats. Its aim is to start a conversation about not just tackling the threats of the digital age, but also unleashing its potential to solve global problems in partnership.
Jean-Marc Rickli, head of global risk and resilience at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, said the rise of artificial intelligence had particularly important implications for society. “What I’m concerned about is the rate at which this technology evolves, which is exponential,” he told Diplocon delegates.
New developments, such as the ability to change faces in moving images and voice mimicking technology, could have a “tremendous impact” on diplomacy, he said, as they could be used for sinister purposes.
“On the screen you could have President Obama talking, but it would be my words. Most people will tell you I only believe what I see. Nowadays the problem is that what you see can completely be forged.
“This is just an introduction, I’m not talking yet about autonomous weapons systems that goes beyond your imagination or the fact that in the very near future, we will be able to pair your brain with an algorithm, and new categories of weapon, which involve controlling your mind from a distance, will be possible.”
_________________
Diplocon reports:
War games simulate India and Pakistan nuclear crisis at UAE summit
Minister fears voices of intolerance becoming louder across the globe
Nations must break up the diplomatic boys' club, UAE summit hears
Gargash: in the 15-minute news cycle, we can't afford to ignore criticism
Middle East states 'need to speak to their enemies'
_________________
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
Dubai World Cup Carnival Thursday race card
6.30pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes Group Three US$200,000 (Turf) 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,600m
7.40pm: UAE Oaks Group Three $250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
8.15pm: Zabeel Mile Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,600m
8.50pm: Meydan Sprint Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,000m
9.25pm: Handicap $135,000 (D) 1,400m
10pm: Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,600m
The specs
Engine: 4 liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous electric motors placed at each wheel
Battery: Rimac 120kWh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry
Power: 1877bhp
Torque: 2300Nm
Price: Dh7,500,00
On sale: Now
Sun jukebox
Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)
This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.
Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)
The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.
Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.
Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)
An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.
Empty Words
By Mario Levrero
(Coffee House Press)
McIlroy's struggles in 2016/17
European Tour: 6 events, 16 rounds, 5 cuts, 0 wins, 3 top-10s, 4 top-25s, 72,5567 points, ranked 16th
PGA Tour: 8 events, 26 rounds, 6 cuts, 0 wins, 4 top-10s, 5 top-25s, 526 points, ranked 71st
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Volunteers offer workers a lifeline
Community volunteers have swung into action delivering food packages and toiletries to the men.
When provisions are distributed, the men line up in long queues for packets of rice, flour, sugar, salt, pulses, milk, biscuits, shaving kits, soap and telecom cards.
Volunteers from St Mary’s Catholic Church said some workers came to the church to pray for their families and ask for assistance.
Boxes packed with essential food items were distributed to workers in the Dubai Investments Park and Ras Al Khaimah camps last week. Workers at the Sonapur camp asked for Dh1,600 towards their gas bill.
“Especially in this year of tolerance we consider ourselves privileged to be able to lend a helping hand to our needy brothers in the Actco camp," Father Lennie Connully, parish priest of St Mary’s.
Workers spoke of their helplessness, seeing children’s marriages cancelled because of lack of money going home. Others told of their misery of being unable to return home when a parent died.
“More than daily food, they are worried about not sending money home for their family,” said Kusum Dutta, a volunteer who works with the Indian consulate.
North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
MATCH INFO
Qalandars 112-4 (10 ovs)
Banton 53 no
Northern Warriors 46 all out (9 ovs)
Kumara 3-10, Garton 3-10, Jordan 2-2, Prasanna 2-7
Qalandars win by six wickets
