As artificial intelligence development progresses rapidly, protesters are counterattacking.
On Monday (May 13), about 20 people took to the streets outside the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology headquarters in London to make their case.
The protesters are part of a group of activists aiming to get companies to stop developing large AI models that they fear could pose a risk to the future of humanity. They called themselves Pause AI.
14 cities.
12 countries.
One message to world leaders attending the Seoul AI Summit next week: Wake up and face the danger.
⬇️PauseAI’s international protest, thread⬇️
—PauseAI ⏸ (@PauseAI) May 14, 2024
Their website states: “AI is a powerful technology that is increasingly changing the world. “It has incredible potential, but it also carries serious risks, including existential catastrophe.”
The most interesting thing about NYC today @PauseAI protest outside @Microsoft This was the reaction of passers-by. Most people (as expected) ignored it, but all the engagement I saw was supportive. The most common objection was that the demise of AI was inevitable. one man… pic.twitter.com/Om3M2K0KjK
— Garrison Lovely (@GarrisonLovely) May 14, 2024
More protests are planned in San Francisco, New York, Berlin, Rome, Ottawa and other cities.
How to protest Pause AI and how to be more effective
Although the group has genuine intentions, the organization of the protest left some unsure if it was the best way to get their message across.
According to Wired, the protesters’ Discord channel contains numerous discussions about which method is best.
When assessing whether staging a sit-in would be too disruptive, one member of the group said: “Probably not. In the end, we do what we have to do for our shared future with humanity. “While we still can.”
Leaders of the protest group Pause AI said they had spoken to the publisher and were not currently considering more disruptive direct action, such as sit-ins or camping near AI’s offices.
“Our tactics and methods are actually very moderate. I want to be a moderating foundation for many organizations in this space. I am confident that we will never tolerate violence. I also hope Pause AI goes beyond that and becomes very reliable.”
Another leader agrees. “I sincerely hope that we will not have to take any other action. I don’t expect that we will need to. “I don’t think I am the person to lead a movement that is not completely legal.”
Featured image: Pause AI UK
