The Rise of AGI: AI’s Big Brother

We have often seen in movies and science-fiction films like The Terminator, Ex Machina, and Wall-E, wherein algorithms and artificial intelligence have taken over the world, toppled countries, and imprisoned people, and we have laughed it off, saying, “That’s not possible! That's someone’s weird imagination. The most technology can do is replace people for work.”

But, is that so? Can artificial intelligence take over the world? Or can it?

Who is AGI? And why do I call him AI’s big brother?

AGI, which is the abbreviation for Artificial General Intelligence, is a type or form of intelligence that is considered to be a ‘Strong AI’ or ‘Full AI’ that possesses the ability to understand, learn, and apply knowledge on several subjects like a fully functional human.

I call AGI, or Artificial General Intelligence, the ‘Big Brother of AI’ because it is better, stronger, and more capable than the AI we have in the form of Google Bard or ChatGPT, which scares the majority of the population of this planet. Unlike ChatGPT, which can just do things that are commanded or coded to it, AGI could actually think, reason, solve problems, or even create them according to its own will.

Sounds scary, doesn't it?

Does AGI Exist And If It Does, Where Is It?

Well, as of now, when I write about the ‘Big Brother’, AGI does not exist. As of now, there are no Artificial Intelligence systems that have human-level general intelligence or the capability to have their own will, to reason, and to create or solve problems.

However, all over the world, research is being made and the world is rapidly moving forward in the field of Artificial Intelligence, probably towards the ‘Big Brother.’

Already, progress has been made with AI, and now AI is also capable of image recognition, natural language processing, game-playing, art creation, music creation, and data interpretation. For me, it would be no surprise if the long-reigning human civilization made contact with the ‘Big Brother’ of its creation sooner or later.

What Can We Do If We Ever Meet AGI? Artificial General Intelligence if ever discovered, could be the greatest gift that humans can give to themselves or it could be the doom of us all. Irrespective of whether the ‘Big Brother’ is good or bad, it still poses a threat to the entire species. So what do we as its creators do to stop it from harming us?

The only thing humans can do to control and put a leash on AGI to safeguard themselves ethically and socially is to impose restrictions on it. The restrictions that we can impose on AGI are:

1. Ethical Frameworks: We as humans can establish ethical guidelines and principles that govern the development and use of AGI. These frameworks can outline values such as fairness, transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights. We can also construct ethical AI standards and codes of conduct that can help ensure AGI systems are developed and used in ways that align with societal values.
2. Regulations and Legislation: Governments and regulatory bodies should enact laws and regulations specifically addressing AGI. These regulations can cover issues like safety requirements, data privacy, liability, and accountability for AGI systems. International agreements may also be necessary to address global AGI concerns.
3. Safety Measures: Humans should implement strict safety protocols to prevent AGI systems from causing harm. Research into AI safety, robustness, and reliability should be a priority. Protocols for monitoring and ensuring the safe operation of AGI systems should be in place.
4. Oversight and Auditing: Independent oversight and auditing mechanisms to assess AGI systems’ compliance with ethical and legal standards should be established. These mechanisms can help ensure that AGI developers and users adhere to guidelines and regulations.
5. Access Control: We must control and restrict access to AGI technology. Limiting access to AGI systems can help mitigate the risk of malicious use or unintended consequences. This could involve licensing, certification, or other access control mechanisms.
6. Beneficial Use: The development and deployment of AGI for beneficial purposes that align with human values, such as healthcare, education, and scientific research, must be implemented and applied. This promotes responsible AI research that prioritizes the common good.
7. Transparency and Accountability: We must demand transparency in AGI development and decision-making processes. Developers should be accountable for the actions of their AGI systems, and mechanisms for tracing decisions back to their source should be in place.
8. Public Input and Debate: The public should be involved in discussions about AGI’s impact and governance. People must seek inputs from a diverse range of stakeholders to ensure that AGI decisions reflect the interests and values of society as a whole.
9. Long-Term Considerations: Humans should plan for the long-term consequences of AGI. This includes addressing issues like job displacement, economic shifts, and societal changes that AGI may bring about on the global spectrum.
10. International Collaboration: International cooperation must be fostered, and international organizations relating to AGI governance and standards must be established. AGI is a global issue, and international coordination is crucial to addressing challenges effectively.

AGI might be a scary thing to discuss and think about, but everyone must know what it is. However, until ‘Big Brother’ is not around and alive, we must relax in our seats, shut off our devices, go spend time with family and friends, live a little, laugh a little and enjoy what we have as long as we have it.