Lincoln residents say they are concerned about the rise of artificial intelligence after a slew of experts said the technology could one day destroy humanity.
A range of AI researchers and specialists – including Evan Hubinger, one of Anthropic’s most senior employees – have suggested the technology could have catastrophic consequences if its development is not slowed down.
But in Lincoln city centre this morning, people were most worried about its impact on jobs, the environment and public services.
“I hate it,” said NHS nurse Sarah Skelton. “There isn’t enough security around it. I experienced a cyber-attack at our hospital when I first started training there and it shut down all the computers. We weren’t able to give patients prescriptions so I worry the same thing may happen more often with advancements in AI.”
Business administrator Rebecca McClemes was similarly concerned.
The 29-year-old said: “Jobs are already being taken. I have a young son and he’ll almost certainly be affected by it. Environmentally, it’s destroying the planet.”
The last point was something Andrew Glasson, a mental health support worker, was in full agreement with.
The 55-year-old said data centres – which power AI but consume vast amounts of water – should be “got rid of”.
He spoke about a recent court ruling in China in which a company that had fired a worker and replaced him with AI was said to have acted unlawfully. The worker was awarded compensation as a result.
“We should pass a similar law here,” said Mr Glasson.
But some people saw a more cautiously positive side.
Hayley Larkman, a marketing director, said that she appreciated the use of AI technology in the workplace as a “companion” but is wary of its accuracy. She added: “I think people are scared and unsure of the unknown.”
Phoebe Fletcher, meanwhile, felt AI could bring real benefits. “There are lots of jobs that can’t be taken by it,” the 18-year-old student said. “I don’t think we can just ignore it [now it’s been invented].”
And retired Jennie Shucksmith added that such technological advances “can be good and bad”, and she was curious to see “what would happen to the world next”.
