AI already part of daily life says scientist in warning over potential for ‘public backlash’

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) promises an even bigger revolution than the internet yet could be stifled in the UK by a fear-driven public backlash, according to a leading scientist and broadcaster.

Physicist Professor Jim AlKhalili, who is the incoming president of the British Science Association, warns that without greater transparency and public engagement the full potential of AI may not be realised.

In the absence of concerted action by academics, the Government and industry, the rapidly advancing technology could end up “uncontrolled and unregulated” and in the hands of a few supremely powerful companies, he said.

Previewing his presidential address at this year’s British Science Festival in Hull, which begins next week, Prof Al-Khalili spoke of the dream of AI and the dangers it may pose.

He pointed out that the UK was at the forefront of the technology, predicted to contribute up to 15 trillion US dollars (£11.7 trillion) to the global economy by 2030.

But there was a risk of AI going the same way as GM (genetic modification) and being seen as frightening and sinister by the public and as a “poison chalice” by politicians.

Prof Al-Khalili said: “There’s a real danger of a public backlash. If the public become disengaged our leaders will see it as less of a priority. Regulations will need to be in place and they may come too late.

“At the very least this will result in the technology not being used to its full potential in the public sector, potentially leading to an increase in inequality in society.”

He wanted to see AI included in the school curriculum, even though that would be like “shifting a giant tanker in the middle of the ocean”, and for it to be the focus of myth-dispelling public education programmes.

While AI was often seen as science fiction, it was already becoming part of daily life, Prof AlKhalili said.

AI has manifested itself in virtual assistants such as Siri and Alexa, as well as the “almost psychic awareness” of Google, Facebook and Amazon.

“AI is going to transform our lives in the coming decades even more than the internet has over the last few decades,” said Prof Al-Khalili. “Let’s make sure we’re ready for it.”