King warns of ‘existential dangers’ of AI falling into wrong hands

Charles gives a speech during a meeting for leaders from the artificial intelligence sector (Jonathan Brady/PA) PA Wire Tony Jones 4 minutes ago The King has warned of the “existential dangers” of artificial intelligence (AI) systems falling into the wrong hands, as he addressed tech leaders at a summit on the future of the technology.

Charles told an audience that included bosses from Nvidia, Anthropic, Google DeepMind and OpenAI that decisions taken today on the technology will “shape the world inherited by future generations”, and he called on them to ensure that as they develop the technology, “our humanity remains sacred”.

The event at Dumfries House in Cumnock, East Ayrshire, was also attended by guests including the chief advisor to the Vatican on the ethics of AI and technology, the UK’s AI Minister, government advisors and others.

Charles with leaders from the artificial intelligence sector (Jonathan Brady/PA) PA Wire Giving his opening address, Charles told the audience the development of AI is “both intriguing and deeply concerning in equal measure.”

“AI is already showing its immense capacity to improve and save life – for example, in the field of life sciences and medicine,” he said.

“Yet, those who have created these technologies are now increasingly warning that AI risks developing darker capacities – perhaps even to take life.

“In this regard, if I may say so, there seems urgency in adequately considering the existential dangers of such technologies falling into the wrong hands, and being used in potentially catastrophic ways.

“Surely, we need sufficient means of control before it is all too late?”

He added: “The decisions taken at this formative time will shape the world inherited by future generations.

“And so, the task before you is not merely to advance technology, but to ensure that it remains firmly in the service of humanity, community and the natural world.

Charles gives a speech (PA) PA Wire After the King’s address, Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang and Google DeepMind chairman Demis Hassabis gave speeches highlighting the benefits AI can bring to humanity.

Speaking to journalists ahead of his speech, Mr Huang, who has been one of the industry figures resisting recent calls for tighter regulation of the sector, said it was the “responsibility” of AI companies to properly test the technology before releasing it.

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“There were incidents, and those incidents thankfully did no harm,” he said.