Renowned AI visionary Yoshua Bengio expresses concern over the sluggish pace of regulation in Canada
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Loading... - Alexander Klassen
- 25 May 2023
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Yoshua Bengio, a trailblazer in the field of artificial intelligence, expresses concerns about the sluggish pace of regulation in Canada and cautions against potential "existential" threats. During a press conference held in Montreal, the distinguished professor from the Universite de Montreal expressed support for a bill introduced in the House of Commons last June. This proposed legislation takes a broad, principle-based approach to establishing guidelines for AI, deferring specific details to a later stage.
Despite acknowledging the government's efforts, Bengio believes that progress along the regulatory path has been disappointingly slow. The Canadian government has announced that Bill C-27, also known as the proposed law, will not be enforced before 2025—a timeline that Bengio finds excessively delayed.
Urging the federal government to take immediate action, Bengio emphasizes the need for swift implementation of regulations to address specific threats. One such danger he highlights is the misuse of AI-driven bots, which can be employed to deceive and counterfeit human identities. Speaking at a creative business conference, Bengio underscores the existential risks associated with AI systems, including those utilizing advanced language models like ChatGPT.
Critics argue that the Liberal Party's Artificial Intelligence and Data Act lacks clarity, as it provides a loose framework for responsible AI development. The legislation aims to adapt to the rapidly evolving technology landscape while prohibiting malicious uses. It also establishes an oversight body and enforces financial penalties to ensure accountability.
