In her opinion piece “Move beyond fear and discover AI’s real promise” (Dec. 6, Opinion), Christine Chew highlights the potential of artificial intelligence to deliver remarkable gains in health care, education and information accessibility. She argues that we can shape AI by embracing it, but I believe that she underestimates the hurdles to ensuring that its benefits will outweigh its significant costs.
AI already consumes massive quantities of water, electricity and intellectual property while generating vast wealth for its developers. It is also widely available to people with limited training on how to use it safely and effectively. So far, tech titans have offered only vague assurances of future carbon neutrality and social responsibility. Nothing in these goals ties the growth of AI to concrete regulations for its responsible development.
Until we have plans instead of promises, we would be wise to restrain the growth of AI.
Rebecca Cooper, Seattle
