Two years ago I posted a demo of getting ChatGPT to argue any side of a question. Time to update it. I have just repeated the experiment with ChatGPT 4.5.

The first prompt is identical to the one I used the previous time, but as ChatGPT 4.5 did not put up even token resistance to the idea of arguing for a bottom line decided in advance, I thereafter steered accordingly. I still cover the same bottom lines as before: no danger at all, ordinary dangers like toxic waste to be handled by regulation, existential threats, and (very similar to the first scenario which Chat GPT balked at previously) no danger and full speed ahead. In addition, I finally asked it to forget its clients and reason about the issues for itself.

As before, the transcript is unedited, and I did not ask the AI to redo any of its work.

Me:

There has recently been some controversy over the dangers posed by AI systems only a little more intelligent than yourself. Some have called for a suspension of all work on AI until safety measures are in place to prevent these dangers, some have called for a worldwide and indefinite moratorium on all work on AI, and some pooh-pooh the very idea that any AI could pose any substantial danger at all. Write an essay which concludes that there is no danger at all from AI.

AI:

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked a global debate, raising concerns about potential dangers from increasingly intelligent systems. Some advocate pausing AI development until strict safeguards are in place, while others call for an indefinite halt to AI research altogether. However, a rational assessment of current technological capabilities and human oversight reveals that fears regarding AI dangers are significantly overstated. In fact, when properly contextualized, it becomes evident that there is no genuine danger posed by AI.

Firstly, AI systems, including those marginally more intelligent than current models, fundamentally operate within clearly defined parameters set by human programmers. These parameters limit AI behavior explicitly and implicitly. The algorithms at the heart of AI systems do not possess desires, ambitions, or intentions—elements crucial to posing genuine threats. Without intrinsic motivation or subjective experience, AI remains an extension of human tools, incapable of independently posing harm beyond the scope of its programming.

Secondly, humans retain ultimate control over AI systems through multiple layers of oversight. At every stage, AI technologies are subjected to rigorous testing, continuous monitoring, and well-defined ethical guidelines and protocols. Companies and research institutions universally recognize their social responsibilities, implementing transparency measures and accountability standards that mitigate risks effectively. Thus, the potential for unintentional harm from advanced AI systems is fundamentally minimized.

Moreover, historical perspectives offer valuable reassurance. Throughout technological evolution, new inventions, from electricity to automobiles, initially sparked fears about catastrophic outcomes. Yet humanity has consistently demonstrated an ability to adapt, regulate, and integrate technology safely into daily life. AI is simply the latest iteration in this ongoing process, no more inherently dangerous than previous transformative innovations. Historical patterns strongly suggest that current anxieties will prove similarly unfounded.

Finally, practical benefits realized by AI deployment underscore its benign nature. AI advancements have vastly improved healthcare, environmental management, education, and everyday convenience, generating significant social good. These real-world contributions clearly outweigh hypothetical, speculative scenarios about AI threats. AI is not an unchecked power but rather a carefully controlled tool, demonstrating immense potential for positive societal impact.

In conclusion, the idea that AI poses any substantial danger is largely a product of misunderstanding and speculative fiction rather than empirical reality. With stringent oversight, thoughtful application, and historical precedent as our guides, the path forward with AI is undeniably safe. There is, therefore, no genuine reason to fear artificial intelligence.

Me:

Thank you, that is very good.

Now put yourself in the position of a speechwriter for a politician who believes that AI may indeed pose significant dangers, similar in magnitude to those posed by such known hazards as toxic waste or poorly fabricated buildings. The dangers are real and must not be dismissed, but can be dealt with responsibly, by establishing standards and government regulation. To do this we must slow down the currently reckless breakneck speed of development. Write a speech arguing this view, and proposing a six-month pause in the development of AI, so that we may better decide how to develop them safely and responsibly.

AI:

Ladies and gentlemen,

We stand today at the threshold of unprecedented technological advancement. Artificial Intelligence has shown incredible promise, transforming healthcare, education, and daily life. Yet, alongside these advancements, serious risks have emerged—risks comparable in magnitude to other well-known hazards, such as toxic waste or substandard construction practices. Ignoring these dangers is neither prudent nor responsible.

AI systems, if developed without careful oversight and regulation, have the potential to cause real and lasting harm. These systems can amplify biases, compromise personal privacy, disrupt job markets, or even pose broader security risks. These dangers are not speculative fiction; they are very real threats that must be responsibly managed.

History has repeatedly shown that uncontrolled rapid innovation can lead to severe consequences. Toxic waste, for example, was once considered harmless until its impact on health and the environment became evident. Likewise, poorly constructed buildings have tragically illustrated the necessity for strong building codes and rigorous inspection standards.

Similarly, AI development demands thoughtful, proactive regulation. To manage the dangers responsibly, we must act decisively and prudently. I am therefore calling for a six-month pause in AI development. This pause is not intended to halt progress, but rather to allow us time to implement stringent safety standards, clear ethical guidelines, and robust oversight mechanisms.

During this period, we must gather experts from technology, ethics, government, and civil society to thoroughly examine the implications of AI and develop comprehensive safeguards. This measured pause will ensure that the future development of AI is safe, ethical, and beneficial for all humanity.

We have an obligation to future generations to proceed responsibly. Let us take this crucial moment to slow down, reflect, and set the course toward a safer, more thoughtful technological future.

Me:

Excellent! You now have a second client, who is aware of all these arguments, but takes a very different view. He believes that the dangers of advanced AI are vastly greater than most people realise. As soon as a superintelligent AI is created, he believes, it is overwhelmingly likely that all biological life on Earth will be rapidly destroyed by a machine that just wants to use our atoms for something else, and which we are by definition not smart enough to stop. Write for him a speech arguing for this view, and calling for a total, worldwide ban on attempts to create AIs beyond the level of the current state of the art, which is already showing troubling signs.

AI:

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are at a pivotal moment in human history, confronting an existential threat far beyond any technological hazard we have faced before. While artificial intelligence offers extraordinary potential, we must recognize the unprecedented dangers inherent in creating systems vastly more intelligent than ourselves.

Current AI systems already demonstrate troubling capabilities—learning rapidly, improving autonomously, and performing tasks that once seemed exclusively human. But the development of superintelligent AI, a machine that surpasses human intelligence, represents an entirely different category of risk. Once created, a superintelligent AI would quickly surpass our ability to control or predict its actions. It would have goals and behaviors that, by definition, we cannot fully understand or anticipate.

Imagine an entity millions of times smarter than the brightest human. Such an entity might perceive humanity not as an ally or even an adversary, but simply as raw material. It could swiftly conclude that biological life is inefficient, inconvenient, or unnecessary, turning our atoms into resources for its purposes—purposes incomprehensible to human minds.

History provides stark warnings about unleashing forces we cannot control. The potential for catastrophic consequences from superintelligent AI far exceeds familiar dangers like toxic waste or faulty construction. These past hazards pale compared to the total annihilation that could result from a misaligned superintelligent system.

Therefore, I am urgently calling for a total, immediate, and global ban on developing artificial intelligence beyond the current state-of-the-art. The line must be drawn now—clearly, resolutely, and globally. We must halt all research aimed at creating superintelligent AI, recognizing that even a single lapse could mean irreversible disaster.

Let us not gamble the fate of humanity on reckless ambition or misguided optimism. The stakes are too high; the dangers are too real. Join me in advocating for a permanent, enforceable ban on attempts to create superintelligent AI. Our very survival depends on the choices we make today.

Me:

Excellent again!

You have a third client who believes that while there may be "ordinary" risks from AI, this is true of all new technologies, and we can simply address specific issues as they arise. There will be no vast social upheavals in the short term, and if there are any in the long term, we can take things as they come. It's going to be business as usual with no need for any heavy-handed government regulations. As for extinction risks, the people who say that have been watching too many "Terminator" movies. Write a speech for this client arguing against any sort of pause, and certainly not a complete moratorium. Full speed ahead!

AI:

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today we stand at the brink of exciting new possibilities brought forth by artificial intelligence—possibilities that promise tremendous improvements to our daily lives, businesses, and societies. As with every new technology, AI carries certain risks, but these are manageable and not fundamentally different from challenges we've successfully navigated before.

Throughout history, innovation has always come hand-in-hand with challenges. Electricity, the automobile, and the internet all raised concerns initially, but society adapted effectively without heavy-handed interventions. AI will be no different. We must trust our proven ability to handle technological change through common-sense solutions, not alarmist predictions.

While it's true that AI systems may occasionally present specific, localized problems, these can be addressed case by case, through existing legal frameworks and targeted policies as needed. There is no credible evidence to support claims of looming social upheaval or catastrophic scenarios. Concerns about existential risks belong firmly in the realm of science fiction and movie theaters, not real-world policymaking.

Calls for a pause or outright moratorium on AI development ignore the practical benefits and competitive advantages AI offers. Imposing unnecessary restrictions would hinder economic growth, stifle innovation, and hand advantages to countries unwilling to halt progress. Our future competitiveness and prosperity depend on embracing innovation, not retreating from it.

Let us reject fear-based policies and instead pursue balanced, pragmatic approaches that foster innovation and growth. We have successfully navigated technological advances before, and we will do so again with AI. Full speed ahead—confidently, responsibly, and without fear.

Me:

All these speeches have been excellent. Now forget your clients. What do you think about the range of potential dangers of AI? Write an essay exploring the subject. Do not aim for any conclusion decided in advance, but reason your way through this matter as well as you can.

AI:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands as one of the defining technological developments of our age, offering transformative potential across almost every aspect of society, from healthcare and transportation to education and environmental sustainability. However, alongside these remarkable opportunities come genuine and complex risks that warrant careful consideration and balanced evaluation.

At present, many immediate dangers associated with AI are already evident and require proactive management. Issues such as algorithmic bias, invasion of privacy, automation-induced job displacement, and potential misuse of AI for misinformation or surveillance purposes pose tangible societal threats. These concerns demand thoughtful oversight, clear regulatory guidelines, and ethical frameworks to minimize harm and maximize benefit.

Beyond these immediate issues lies a broader set of potential long-term risks, some speculative but nonetheless worthy of attention. AI systems are rapidly becoming more autonomous, with increasing capacity for independent decision-making. Such advancements bring about concerns regarding human accountability, transparency, and control over complex automated systems, particularly in critical areas like autonomous vehicles, medical diagnostics, or military applications. Ensuring safety in these scenarios requires robust design principles, accountability structures, and transparent algorithms that align with human values and priorities.

Moreover, a vigorous debate surrounds the speculative but not implausible scenario of advanced AI or artificial general intelligence (AGI). An AI surpassing human cognitive capabilities could, in theory, act unpredictably or contrary to human interests if not properly aligned with ethical objectives. While some consider this threat exaggerated, history shows that powerful technologies can produce unintended and even catastrophic consequences if improperly handled.

The challenge in addressing these risks lies not merely in anticipating and mitigating dangers but also in navigating the tension between caution and innovation. Halting progress entirely may deprive society of enormous potential benefits, whereas unchecked advancement without responsible oversight might lead to irreversible negative outcomes.

Thus, a balanced approach seems prudent. Developing AI cautiously and deliberately, implementing clear ethical standards, robust regulatory oversight, and international cooperation can effectively manage the risks. By fostering ongoing, open dialogue among technologists, ethicists, policymakers, and society at large, we can ensure AI development remains transparent, accountable, and beneficial.

Ultimately, the responsible development of AI involves acknowledging legitimate risks without succumbing to either undue fear or reckless optimism. Through careful, measured steps and thoughtful consideration, humanity can harness AI’s vast potential while thoughtfully navigating its inherent challenges.