BEIJING, Dec. 29,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In 1949, pioneering computer
scientist Edmund Callis Berkeley envisioned a future filled
with thinking machines in his book Giant Brains, or Machines That
Think. Decades later, his vision has become a reality with
artificial intelligence (AI) reshaping industries, societies and
daily lives.
The progress however, is far from straightforward. While AI
excites people with its potential, it also raises questions about
ethics, safety and its impact on human life.
Recently, Science and Technology Daily hosted a panel
discussion, "Tech with Heart, AI for Good", on how AI empowers life
and bridges human limitations but also needs guard rails to ensure
it remains under control.
Omnipresent AI
AI is reshaping the way we live, work and interact with the
world. For Zeng Yi, a professor at
the Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and an
expert of the United Nations' high-level advisory body on AI, the
motivation to advance AI technology lies in its potential to
liberate humans from repetitive and labor-intensive tasks.
"Combining AI with robotics allows us to redirect human energy
toward more creative and meaningful pursuits," Zeng said. He
highlighted how AI-powered robots are stepping into hazardous
fields such as firefighting, disaster relief and space exploration.
Lunar rovers equipped with advanced AI capabilities are conducting
complex analyses on the moon's surface — tasks too risky for human
scientists.
Besides industrial applications, AI is making a significant
impact on environmental conservation such as tracking wildlife.
AI's potential extends into our everyday lives as well. Gao
Shaolin, an expert at Peking University Law and Artificial
Intelligence Research Center, mentioned a recent road trip during
which he drove 3,000 kilometers on highways without coming across a
single traffic accident.
"This is extraordinary," Gao said, attributing the improvement
to advancements in AI-driven safety features in modern
vehicles.
From fatigue-monitoring systems in trucks to self-driving
technologies in electric cars, these innovations are drastically
reducing the likelihood of accidents.
However, both Zeng and Gao agreed that AI should not aim to
replace humans but rather enhance human expertise and efficiency.
AI can amplify human capacity, leaving room for creativity and
innovation.
Responsible AI
As AI continues to evolve, responsibility becomes a critical
issue. Zeng quoted Berkeley, who wrote, "It is often easier for
scientists to create a device than to guide it well afterward."
Berkeley urged innovators to think beyond breakthroughs and address
potential risks.
The question of accountability becomes central. Who will be
responsible for any problem caused by AI? "AI is not an independent
legal entity," Gao emphasized, pointing out that current AI systems
are tools rather than autonomous entities. The responsibility for
their actions lies squarely with their developers, service
providers and users.
"AI should be as intelligent as necessary, but it must remain
under human control," Gao stressed. As Zeng put it, "The key is
ensuring AI coexists harmoniously with humans, not as a competitor
but as a collaborator."
Wu Baojun, executive deputy secretary-general of the Association
for Science and Technology of the University of Chinese Academy of
Sciences, said the rapid advancement of AI must be accompanied by
efforts to ensure its reliability and safety within ethical
frameworks.
"Our research in AI," Wu said, "aims to explore unknown
territories, eliminate human fears and make AI more reliable."
Reliable AI
China has consistently
demonstrated a forward-thinking approach to AI development,
balancing technological innovation with social and ethical
considerations.
As Matt Sheehan from the Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace wrote in an article,
"China is in the midst of rolling
out some of the world's earliest and most detailed regulations
governing artificial intelligence."
In 2017, China released the
Next Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan to
encourage diverse AI methodologies, such as deep learning,
knowledge-based reasoning and large-scale modeling. The plan also
emphasized ethical governance, with over a dozen references to
social and legal challenges.
In May 2019, it was followed by
the Beijing AI Principles, which set out clear guidelines for AI
research and development, advocating respect for privacy, human
dignity and human rights.
These visions were strengthened in July
2024 when the 78th UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a
resolution proposed by China and
co-sponsored by over 140 countries. The resolution emphasized the
human-centered development of AI, international cooperation, and
promotion of AI to benefit humanity as a whole.
Zeng said China's AI strategy
reflects a responsible and inclusive approach: "China's AI development strategy is not limited
to promoting domestic economic growth. They aim to empower humanity
and promote sustainable development goals."
Shared AI principles
AI governance has become a global priority with nations striving
to ensure that technology develops responsibly and inclusively.
"We analyzed global AI ethics guidelines and found that 95
percent of the topics are consistent across countries. Concepts
like human-centered development, transparency, fairness, safety and
privacy protection are widely endorsed," Zeng said, adding that
nations worldwide largely agree on the foundational principles for
AI ethics and governance.
In 2023, the Bletchley Declaration on AI safety was signed by 28
countries and the European Union. This marked the first broad
agreement on the importance of AI safety as a global issue. In
2024, the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial
Intelligence was adopted unanimously by all member states, which is
another example of the global consensus.
China is playing an active role
in promoting international cooperation on AI governance. "AI must
empower all nations, not just the technologically advanced ones. We
should guide AI for good with collective efforts and shared
responsibilities," Gao said.
Executive Producers: Wang Junming, He
Yi
Producer: Fang Linlin
Reporters: Long
Yun, Zhong Jianli, Gong Qian
Subtitle Proofreaders: Wang Jing, Cen Yingjie
Video Editing Instructor: Wang Xiaolong
AI Technology Advisor: Liu Yang
Cameramen: Liu Xiao, Li Huitao, Li
Tianji
Video Editor: Zhang Shunping
Reviewer: Fang Linlin
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SOURCE Science and Technology Daily
