The Real Threats of AI: Misuse and Misinformation in the Coming Years

In recent years, predictions about the arrival of artificial general intelligence (AGI) have emerged as a hot topic among tech leaders. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, envisions AGI being achievable by 2027 or 2028. Conversely, Elon Musk suggests we could see it as early as 2025 or 2026. While these timelines may excite many, one must critically question the validity of such optimistic forecasts. As the limitations of existing AI systems become increasingly apparent, a growing number of experts in the field argue that simply scaling up existing models will not lead us to AGI, and the focus should rather shift to mitigating more immediate risks instead.

While the advent of AGI may still be years away, 2025 is poised to present significant risks associated with the usage of existing AI technologies. These threats stem primarily not from the intelligence of the AI itself but from the ways in which humans misuse it. A prime example of such misuse is evident within the legal profession, where attorneys increasingly rely on AI tools to draft court documents. The consequences have been dire; numerous lawyers faced sanctions for submitting filings that included fabricated information generated by AI chatbots. Cases highlight how professionals, in an effort to keep up with technology, may inadvertently handicap themselves and their clients—misusing these tools due to inexperience or overreliance.

The Proliferation of Deepfakes and Non-Consensual Imagery

The emergence of deepfake technology presents another alarming concern as we head into 2025. A shocking instance occurred when sexually explicit deepfakes of pop star Taylor Swift emerged on social media, created using AI software that bypassed safety measures. This incident is symptomatic of a larger trend—the unchecked rise of non-consensual deepfake images, a phenomenon only exacerbated by the availability of open-source deepfake creation tools. As legislators across the globe scramble to regulate the misuse of such technologies, the effectiveness of these measures remains uncertain.

Deepfake technology has profound implications for personal privacy and the integrity of evidence. As AI-generated content grows increasingly indistinguishable from reality, it empowers individuals, including those in positions of influence, to dismiss legitimate concerns by labeling incriminating evidence as false. The implications of this “liar’s dividend” cannot be stressed enough, as evident from the various public figures who have attempted to refute accusations against them by claiming evidence is doctored.

As AI technologies burgeon, companies often exploit public confusion surrounding these systems to market dubious products as “AI-driven.” A stark example of this is Retorio, which promotes its AI as a means for evaluating job candidates based on video interviews. However, research indicates that the system can be easily manipulated by simple external factors like the candidate wearing glasses or altering their backdrop. This reliance on superficial attributes raises significant ethical questions about the deployment of such AI systems, especially in sectors like healthcare, finance, and criminal justice.

A cautionary tale unfolds in the Netherlands, where the Dutch tax authority utilized an AI algorithm to identify potential child welfare fraud. This system falsely accused thousands of innocent parents, highlighting the dangers of algorithms lacking transparency and accuracy. The backlash forced the country’s Prime Minister and cabinet to resign, illustrating the potential fallout from making reliance on AI decisions without human oversight.

With these challenges on the horizon, the imperative to address and mitigate AI-related issues is greater than ever. By 2025, the risks will not arise from AI acting autonomously but rather from how individuals choose to utilize it. Whether it is lawyers misusing AI tools due to inexperience, the proliferation of deepfake content whose authenticity can be questioned, or the dangerous deployment of AI in decision-making processes, the stakes are high.

Mitigating these risks is an extensive undertaking that will necessitate collaboration among various stakeholders—companies, governments, and society at large. It is crucial that these entities unite to manage these technologies situated within an ethical framework, ensuring that humanity’s pursuit of knowledge does not morph into a pursuit of reckless endangerment. As the excitement surrounding advancements like AGI grows, let us not overlook the foundational work that must be done to safeguard against the daunting risks posed by the present state of artificial intelligence.

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