人工智能領域的專業人士因擔心該行業的發展對人類構成的潛在威脅而呼吁暫停對強大人工智能系統的培訓。他們對該行業前景的擔憂是真實必要的嗎？我們是否應更感謝人工智能技術給人類提供的幫助？本期節目討論該技術的發展是否會帶來潛在的風險。

詞匯：technology 科技

There is no doubt that artificial intelligence – or AI – has become an important part of our lives. It is no longer just a thing of science fiction: it's an incredible technological breakthrough that has changed the way we live. But there are fears that AI has become too intelligent and could be a threat to humanity.

This claim might sound extreme, but a letter signed by more than 1,000 technology experts, including Tesla boss Elon Musk, called on the world to press pause on the development of more advanced AI because of the risks. Estonian billionaire Jaan Tallinn, for example, who helped develop communication app Skype, thinks we should be cautious. And The Future of Life Institute, a not-for-profit organisation, says that there should be a temporary pause in advanced AI development, saying that "AI systems with human-competitive intelligence can pose profound risks to society and humanity."

This pessimistic outlook is supported by a report by investment bank Goldman Sachs that says AI could replace the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs. But it may also mean new jobs and a productivity boom. We may argue that AI such as chatbots can help us. State-of-the-art ChatGPT, for example, has been helping some students write assignments. AI is allowing computers to think or act in a more human way. And machine learning means computers can learn what to do without being given explicit instructions. The technology is impressive, but as it starts to think for itself, will it outsmart us?

Some people are more optimistic. AI advocates say the tech is already delivering real social and economic benefits for people. Meanwhile, the founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, has called on governments to work with industry to "limit the risks" of AI. But he says the technology could save lives, particularly in poorer countries. He says, "Just as the world needs its brightest people focused on its biggest problems, we will need to focus the world's best AIs on its biggest problems." If this happens, maybe humanity will have a future.

詞匯表

artificial intelligence 人工智能，簡稱 “AI”
science fiction 科幻小說、電影等作品
breakthrough 重大進展，突破
humanity 人類
press pause 按下暫停鍵，叫停
advanced 先進的
communication app 通訊應用程序
human-competitive 擁有與人類競爭能力的
profound 重大的，深刻的
replace 取代，代替
productivity 生產率
chatbot 聊天機器人
state-of-the-art 最先進的，應用最新技術的
machine learning 機器學習
impressive 給人留下深刻印象的
outsmart 在智力上勝過，比…更聰明
advocate 支持者，提倡者
brightest 最聰明的

測驗與練習

1.  閱讀課文并回答問題。

1. What have over a 1,000 technology experts demanded in a letter they signed?

2. Who said the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs would be replaced by AI?

3. What AI technology has been helping some students to write their assignments?

4. True or false? AI advocates say that AI will outsmart us.

5. Who has Bill Gates asked to work together to "limit the risk" of AI development?

2.  選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1. Our funding has run out, so we need to _______ on the project.

pause press                press pause                   press paused            pausing press

2. The online _______ dealt with my query when the bank was shut.

advocate                     science fiction                chatbot                      humanity

3. I bought a _______ smartphone but it's too complicated for me to use!

state-in-the-art            state-at-the-art               art-in-the-state          state-of-the-art

4. He was the _______ boy in the school and always got top grades in his exams.

brightest                      outsmart                        impressive                 profound

5. The airline claims to be using one of the most _______ aircraft which emits less greenhouse gas than older aircrafts.

profound                      breakthrough                 advanced                  productivity

答案

1. 閱讀課文并回答問題。 

1. What have over a 1,000 technology experts demanded in a letter they signed?

A letter signed by more than 1,000 technology experts have called on the world  to press pause on the development of more advanced AI because of the risks.

2. Who said the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs would be replaced by AI?

A report by investment bank Goldman Sachs said AI could replace the  equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs.

3. What AI technology has been helping some students to write their assignments?

ChatGPT has been helping some students write assignments.

4. True or false? Advocates of AI say that AI will outsmart us.

False. AI advocates say the tech is already delivering real social and economic  benefits for people.

5. Who has Bill Gates asked to work together to "limit the risk" of AI development?

Bill Gates has asked governments to work with industry to "limit the risks" of  AI.

2.  選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1. Our funding has run out, so we need to press pause on the project.

2. The online chatbot dealt with my query when the bank was shut.

3. I bought a state-of-the-art smartphone but it's too complicated for me to use!

4. He was the brightest boy in the school and always got top grades in his exams.

5. The airline claims to be using one of the most advanced aircraft which emits less greenhouse gas than older aircrafts.