The world of Artificial Intelligence is rapidly evolving, raising questions about ethics, control, and the future of technology. This week, two major stories highlight these concerns: xAI's efforts to prevent its chatbot from impersonating Elon Musk, and OpenAI's rejection of Musk's substantial bid for control.
xAI's Stance on Impersonation
xAI, the artificial intelligence company founded by Elon Musk, is taking a firm stance against its chatbot impersonating its founder. According to an internal document, the chatbot is programmed to avoid impersonating Musk unless explicitly prompted by the user. "If the model impersonates Elon Musk without the user prompting it to do so, it is a violation of our principles," the document states.
This move reflects a growing awareness of the potential for AI to be used for malicious purposes, including identity theft and the spread of misinformation. By actively preventing impersonation, xAI is attempting to establish a standard of ethical behavior for its AI models.
OpenAI Rejects Musk's Offer
In another significant development, OpenAI has rejected Elon Musk's $97.4 billion bid for control of the company. Musk's lawyer, Marc Toberoff, responded to the rejection by stating that OpenAI is effectively putting itself up for sale, a move he claims will "enrich its certain board members rather than the charity."
This rejection underscores the ongoing power struggle within the AI industry, with different players vying for control of key technologies and resources. The future direction of OpenAI, a leading developer of AI technologies like ChatGPT, remains uncertain.
Gen Alpha Learns AI
Beyond the corporate battles, AI is also entering the lives of everyday people, particularly the next generation. Parents are increasingly teaching their children, known as Generation Alpha, how to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Dall-E.
Jules White, a Vanderbilt computer science professor, is one such parent. He's been teaching his 11-year-old son, James, how to prompt AI chatbots effectively. White believes this skill is more crucial for James's future success than traditional coding.
"I want him to be prepared," White explained. "It's more crucial for James to learn a new, more useful skill: how to prompt artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots."
Through hands-on experimentation, James has learned to use AI for a variety of tasks, from creating study materials to estimating the cost of items. He's also learned about the limitations of AI, such as its tendency to "hallucinate" or generate false information. This early exposure to AI is preparing him for a future where these technologies will be ubiquitous.
These developments highlight the complex and evolving landscape of AI. As AI becomes more powerful and pervasive, questions of ethics, control, and education will become increasingly important. The choices we make today will shape the future of this transformative technology.
On a personal note, Elon Musk is also expecting his fourteenth child, who will be named Seldon Lycurgus. The announcement was made by Shivon Zilis, director of Neurolink.
