How Scientists Contained a Threat That Could Have Destroyed Humanity
A half-century ago, scientists and lawyers agreed to strict self-regulation in DNA research to avoid catastrophe. But it took enforcement to really stop them.
TL;DR
- Scientists are raising concerns about AI posing an existential threat, similar to past warnings about recombinant DNA.
- A 1970s Asilomar conference addressed the dangers of recombinant DNA, leading to self-regulation and the creation of the biotechnology industry.
- Leading AI scientists gathered in 2017, also at Asilomar, to establish guidelines for AI development, but produced only vague pledges.
- The current calls for AI regulation echo the controversies and lessons from the recombinant DNA debates of 50 years ago.