American scientist Ben Goertzel, known for coining the term “Artificial General Intelligence” (IAG), believes that artificial intelligence (AI) with human cognitive abilities is only a few years away. According to Goertzel, machines need to be able to make huge cognitive leaps in order to be as smart and agile as people, which has not yet been achieved.
Although he acknowledges that AI could replace up to 80% of jobs, he sees it not as a threat but as a benefit, as people will be able to find better things to do than work for a living. Goertzel points out that the transition towards a society with intelligent robots and task automation is a social problem that has not yet been resolved.
As for the risks of AI, Goertzel does not believe there should be a pause in research due to the alleged risks it poses, as he does not consider current AI such as chat-GPT to be a dangerous threat. However, he maintains that the governance of these technologies should be participatory and involve the population, and that the problem is that the companies that are financing the majority of AI research do not care about doing good but about maximizing value for shareholders.
Goertzel also talks about the benefits of AI, such as the humanoid robot Grace, a nurse designed to care for the elderly in nursing homes and hospitals, which can improve people’s quality of life. In conclusion, Goertzel sees a promising future for AI but is aware that solutions are needed to handle the societal challenges posed by its implementation.