Kilnam Chon Predicts AI Surpassing Human Intelligence in 30 Years

Research, including the Artificial Intelligence Index Report 2024 from Stanford University, shows that AI has surpassed humans in tasks like image classification and English comprehension, but it still lags in areas like advanced mathematics and planning.

Kilnam Chon, an 81-year-old computer scientist known as the father of the Internet in South Korea, predicts that AI will outsmart humans within 30 years. He warns of potential consequences, likening humans to monkeys controlled by AI.

Questions arise about slowing AI development as it approaches surpassing human intelligence. Despite a proposed moratorium in 2023, backed by over 1,000 stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, the push did not deter companies from pursuing AI advancements for profit.

The uncertainty of AI’s impact prompts efforts to regulate it, with Europe among regions taking steps toward AI governance.

Chon’s Role in Shaping the Internet

Chon, a professor emeritus at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, played a pivotal role in shaping the Internet. He led the establishment of the first two Internet nodes in Asia, known as the Software Development Network (SDN), starting in 1982. By 1985, SDN had connected about 20 universities, national research labs, and corporate labs across South Korea. It later expanded to include other parts of Asia, such as Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.

Chon’s academic journey includes a bachelor’s degree in engineering science from Osaka University in Japan and a PhD in computer science from UCLA. Reflecting on the Internet’s evolution, he notes a significant shift from exclusivity to accessibility, particularly with the emergence of the World Wide Web in the 1990s. He emphasizes that the contemporary world is characterized by widespread Internet access, making a return to the restricted era of the 1980s impractical.

In recognition of his profound impact on Internet development, Chon was inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame in 2012 by the Internet Society. During his acceptance speech, he posed a thought-provoking question about life without the Internet—an inquiry he humorously acknowledges having posed to students repeatedly.

Chon’s Recognition of Internet’s Vital Role

Chon acknowledges the Internet’s indispensability in modern life, citing examples from China where digital integration is pervasive. He highlights the prevalence of digital transactions, even among street beggars who utilize QR codes for receiving donations. He warns that this trend reflects the inevitable direction of society’s dependence on digital connectivity.

Despite progress, 2.6 billion people lacked Internet access in 2023, per the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This digital gap persists due to factors like financial constraints, geographic isolation, and physical disabilities, hindering Internet use. Chon finds it unacceptable that parts of society are excluded from the web’s opportunities, advocating for universal connectivity.

However, Chon voices concerns about Internet security, particularly ransomware, which encrypts data and demands payment for decryption. He condemns the severe impact of such attacks, which can cripple vital systems like those in healthcare. Despite efforts to bolster cybersecurity, Chon laments cybercriminals’ continued exploitation of vulnerabilities, emphasizing the ongoing battle against them.

Moreover, Chon warns of the increasing threat from cybercriminals using AI to enhance their attacks. While cybersecurity firms use AI to counter malware, Chon warns that malicious actors also utilize AI, potentially escalating threats. He envisions a future where cybercriminals, empowered by AI, pose greater challenges to security measures, suggesting collaboration with them may become necessary.

Read the original article on: El Pais

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