Christopher Nolan, creator of the currently dominating film biopic “Oppenheimer,” says he believes artificial intelligence poses a bigger threat than nuclear weapons.
Published Date – 23rd Sun Jul 23rd at 4:59pm
Angels: Christopher Nolan joins Hollywood bigwigs like James Cameron, Simon Pegg, Tom Cruise, and others in speaking out about the increasing use of artificial intelligence in movies and in real life, and speaking out loudly about its dangers.
Nolan released his massive biopic “Oppenheimer,” which is currently dominating theaters, in theaters and deals with the concept of nuclear weapons, which he says are even more dangerous than artificial intelligence.
“Look at the international control of nuclear weapons and feel that the same principles can be applied to something that doesn’t require a large-scale industrial process — it’s kind of tricky,” the “Interstellar” director told The Guardian, according to Aceshowbiz.
He added: “International surveillance of nuclear weapons is possible because nuclear weapons are very difficult to make. Oppenheimer spent $2 billion and used thousands of people across the United States to make the first bomb. It is really difficult to make nuclear weapons, so it is relatively easy to find out that a country is doing it. I don’t believe that any of this applies to artificial intelligence.”
Nolan went on to say that the growing relationship between artificial intelligence and weapons exposes the need for corporate accountability and scrutiny.
He further said the idea of people producing or using such technology without really understanding what it means is “absolutely terrifying … because as AI systems enter defense infrastructure, they will eventually be responsible for nuclear weapons.”
In a special screening of “Oppenheimer” on July 20, the director talked to a group of scientists working in the field of artificial intelligence, and they also repeatedly questioned their work.
Many scientists and researchers refer to the progress made by their departments as their personal “Oppenheimer” moments as they contemplate the possible outcomes of technological advances in artificial intelligence.
The “Dark Knight” director also said that while global accountability in AI control has become increasingly important with advances in weapons technology and control systems such as surveillance systems, he said that “the power of the United Nations in controlling AI has been greatly weakened.”
The director also said that by watching “Oppenheimer,” he hopes viewers will gain a better understanding of the promise of control over weapons systems and artificial intelligence.
