Ethics

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to be dangerous in the hands of unscrupulous individuals, warns Microsoft Corp. Chief Economist Michael Schwarz. Speaking at a World Economic Forum panel in Geneva, Schwarz stated that he is confident that AI will be used by bad actors and cause real damage, particularly in the context of spammers and elections. While he believes that AI should be regulated, Schwarz urges policymakers to be cautious and wait until the technology causes “real harm” before introducing regulation. As the use of AI tools continues to grow and come under scrutiny, policymakers are pushing for companies to implement safeguards around the technology. Schwarz argues that any regulation should prioritize the benefits to society over the potential costs. On Thursday, US Vice President Kamala Harris will meet with the CEOs of Microsoft, Alphabet Inc., and OpenAI Inc. to discuss ways to reduce the risk of harm from AI technologies.