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  5. The A.I. Dilemma: Growth versus Existential Risk

American Economic Review: Insights

ISSN 2640-205X (Print) | ISSN 2640-2068 (Online)

The A.I. Dilemma: Growth versus Existential Risk

  • Charles I. Jones
American Economic Review: Insights (Forthcoming)

Abstract

Advances in artificial intelligence (A.I.) are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they may increase economic growth as A.I. augments our ability to innovate. On the other hand, many experts worry that these advances entail existential risk: creating a superintelligence misaligned with human values could lead to catastrophic outcomes, even possibly human extinction. This paper considers the optimal use of A.I. technology in the presence of these opportunities and risks. Under what conditions should we continue the rapid progress of A.I. and under what conditions should we stop?

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