Calls to slow AI benefit US sector leaders, says French finance minister

Read a summary of this article on FAST.
Get bite-sized news via a new
cards interface. Give it a try.
Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST
FAST

PARIS, Sept 16 : Calls to slow down the development of AI serve the interests of U.S. leaders in the sector, French Finance Minister Roland Lescure said on Wednesday, adding that France and Europe must accelerate AI usage so that they can control the risks.

"I can clearly see that the calls to slow down are now coming from those at the top of the class ... Making everyone behind them slow down so they can stay in first place, I can clearly see their self-interest," Lescure told Reuters.

"I want us to step up our efforts in France and across Europe, to become a leader and to be able to manage the risks," Lescure added when asked about the discussion around AI safety on the sidelines of an event organised in Paris by French startup lobby, France Digitale.

The debate around AI risks accelerated last week, with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei calling for a slowdown in development of the technology, citing several risks including losing control of AI systems.

CNA Games

Guess Word
Crack the word, one row at a time

Buzzword
Create words using the given letters

Mini Sudoku
Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser

Mini Crossword
Small grid, big challenge

Word Search
Spot as many words as you can
Show More
Show Less

Meanwhile, the CEO of rival OpenAI, Sam Altman, said he agreed with the need to pace AI development.

Their statements added to the debate prompted by Anthropic researchers who said last week that rapidly progressing AI could lead to the extinction of the human race in the near future.

"I am always wary of definitive statements," said Lescure when asked about the risks to humanity from AI, adding: "Definitive statements can sometimes in the end serve as a way to escape collective responsibility".

However, he identified risks due to AI implementation in the cyber sector and in education, saying France and Europe had to be aware of them in order to manage them. 

Newsletter

Week in Review

Subscribe to our Chief Editor’s Week in Review

Our chief editor shares analysis and picks of the week's biggest news every Saturday.

Sign up for our newsletters

Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox

Subscribe here

Get the CNA app

Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories

Download here

Get WhatsApp alerts

Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app

Join here