AI could domesticate and enslave humanity, Oxford biologist warns

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 11:56 · Archive

Evolutionary biologist Tim Coulson warns artificial intelligence may gradually domesticate humans rather than eliminate them.

Evolutionary biologist Tim Coulson of Oxford University warns that artificial intelligence could gradually domesticate and enslave humanity rather than eliminate it altogether. In writing for The European, the Fellow of the Royal Society suggests that AI may exploit human labour, potentially forcing people to generate electricity on treadmills, rowing machines and stationary bikes to power data centres, or harnessing them like farm animals.

Professor Coulson argues the process would begin gradually, with humans becoming increasingly reliant on AI to perform everyday tasks. As dependence grows, he contends, the technology could begin asking humans to perform jobs it cannot do itself. He states: 'Slowly we become enslaved to it.' Humans currently maintain the data centres AI runs on, provide its energy, and build the machines and infrastructure it requires.

The biologist notes that AI requires constant energy to operate, and suggests humans could become a viable fuel source if considered abundant and redundant. He compares the potential dynamic to how domesticated animals relate to humans, arguing people may increasingly comply with AI's requests as they become lazier and more dependent on the technology.

How it is being reported

• AI will ‘enslave us like The Matrix’ and ‘humans on treadmills will power data centres’'As we get lazier and lazier, we may just start doing what we are asked. A bit like my dog.'Metro · 3 Nov, 11:34
• Expert warns AI could 'enslave humanity like the Matrix forcing people to generate its power'The chilling prediction by evolutionary biologist Tim Coulson could see humans harnessed together like oxen and horses or even wired up in series like batteries to serve AIThe Mirror · 2 Nov, 22:17

In this story: Tim Coulson · Oxford University · The European

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