Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence responds to Musk’s concern about AI

Eric Horvitz, Distinguished Scientist at Microsoft Research, past president of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI), a member of the AAAI strategic planning board, and a spokesperson for the group, which is based in Palo Alto, California, today responded to an Etopia News inquiry about Elon Musk’s recently-expressed concerns about artificial intelligence.

            Musk, a serial entrepreneur known for his work with PayPal, SolarCity, SpaceX, and Tesla, commented on CNBC’s “Closing Bell” on June 17^th that he was investing in AI firm Vicarious so he could keep an eye on the field, saying “there is potentially a dangerous outcome there."

            He compared the coming of AI to the arrival of the Spanish Inquisition, which nobody expects.

            You can watch his comments, here:

http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-elon-musk-artificial-intelligence-mars-20140618-htmlstory.html

            Etopia News sent this link to the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, seeking comment.

            Here’s what AAAI spokesperson and past president Eric Horvitz said in reply:

            “I’m optimistic that AI advances will enhance the quality of our lives in numerous ways. However, we need to continue to study trends and developments in AI with care, and to reflect about potential surprises and downsides--as AI scientists and as broader society.  This includes investing in research on studies of what might go wrong and with developing proactive measures that can help guarantee good outcomes.”

            He also provided a link to materials about the 2009 “Asilomar meeting on Long-Term AI Futures,” at:  http://www.aaai.org/Organization/presidential-panel.php. 

            A good, rather than a bad, outcome was what Musk also said he was interested in, before responding to one of the hosts’ quip that it would be possible to escape to the Mars colony Musk seeks to build should the AI run amok on Earth.  “The A.I. will chase us there pretty quickly," Musk said, voicing the concern that not even a multi-planet humanity would be immune to #runawayAI.

Fossil Free Stanford on the Issues

 
A discussion of divestment and climate change with spokespeople from Fossil Free Stanford, recorded from the Old Union building on the Stanford campus, near Palo Alto, California, shortly after 3:00 pm PDT on Wednesday, May 21, 2014.  Participating are:

 

Michael Peñuelas - Junior, majoring in Earth Systems

Mikaela Osler - Freshman, undeclared

Graham Provost - Masters student in Atmosphere and Energy

Marc Strassman – host

Stanford does not expect coal divestment “to impact our endowment returns”

A query from Etopia News to Lisa Lapin, Associate Vice President, University Communications, Stanford University, this morning, asking about the names of the coal companies whose stock will be divested by the University, as recounted here, brought this reply:

“We are not expecting to release a list at any point. Our policies prohibit disclosure of specific investments. The dollar amount will be small and is not expected to impact our endowment returns.”

For more on coal divestment at Stanford, watch three spokespersons for Fossil Free Stanford here.

Patric Verrone is endorsed by the California Nurses Association

The California Nurses Association just endorsed Patric Verrone in his 26^th District California State Senate race, saying:

 

“Patric Verrone knows that high quality healthcare for all, as well as good jobs and safe staffing for the nurses who provide it, are fundamental for the well-being of California’s working families,” said CNA Co-President Malinda Markowitz, RN. “Patric shares our nurses’ commitment to improve educational opportunities for all our children, provide seniors with the services they need and make sure big corporations provide good jobs and pay their fair share in taxes. That's why CNA’s members are proud to endorse Patric, and why we’ll support his campaign with all of our strength and our skills.”

The district’s official designation is “SD-26.”

Verrone is the only comedy writer and labor leader in the race.

You can watch a lengthy interview with him at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r03Yz7lUwO4&feature=youtu.be

Representative Waxman waxes eloquent on the need to address climate change

U.S Representative Henry Waxman (D-33^rd, CA) today issued the following statement about the National Climate Assessment:

“The National Climate Assessment shows that climate change is real, it’s happening now, and the impacts will be severe if we don’t act.  We are at a crossroads.  We can protect our environment by investing in the clean energy economy of the future, or we can deny the science and watch our coastlines flood, our forests burn, and our crops wither.  The special interests led by the Koch brothers and the fossil fuel industry have blocked action in Congress.  That’s why the President needs to use his administrative authority to cut the dangerous carbon pollution that is endangering the future of our children and grandchildren.”