Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and other significant figures from the technology industry discussed the perspectives and risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI) with over 60 members of the US Senate. The purpose of this closed meeting was to discuss regulations within this rapidly evolving industry.

Legislators are in the process of drafting a bill aimed at establishing standards and regulations regarding artificial intelligence, risk management, and its consequential impact. The meeting highlighted that there are still many controversial issues to be addressed, ranging from the improper use of artificial intelligence by criminals to job displacement.

The forum was initiated by Chuck Schumer, the Majority Leader of the Senate Democrats. Among the participants were Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla; Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms; Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet; Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA; Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, and others.

The discussions at the meeting revolved around the regulation and supervision of artificial intelligence utilization. Participants debated the necessity of creating an independent agency to oversee specific aspects of artificial intelligence use. Each participant was given three minutes for remarks, followed by a general discussion.

For instance, Elon Musk warned of the potential threat that artificial intelligence poses to humanity. Conversely, Bill Gates presented a contrasting viewpoint, arguing that artificial intelligence could aid in addressing the global hunger crisis.

The issue of open AI models, enabling the use of these technologies without extensive training costs, became contentious. Concerns have been raised that such solutions could be exploited by criminals.

Tristan Harris, the head of the non-profit organization Center for Humane Technology, mentioned that publicly available Meta Llama 2 models were used to create guidelines for producing hazardous compounds. Mark Zuckerberg responded that such guidelines are available on the Internet even without utilizing artificial intelligence models, and that publishing open-source projects "promotes equal terms of operation and innovation for individuals and companies."

There are also concerns regarding the potential loss of jobs for hundreds of millions of people. Some technology directors, however, point out that overly strict limitations would undermine the leading position of the USA in the industry. Another controversial topic was the risk that AI systems could endanger humanity, emphasizing the need for their control now.

Although representatives of civil rights organizations and trade unions attended the meeting, some experts argue that this event reinforces the impression that large companies are primarily concerned about their own interests. Sarah Myers West, managing director of the non-profit organization AI Now Institute, estimates that the wealth of forum participants totals $550 billion. According to Bloomberg's billionaire index, this year saw a significant rise in the stock of technology companies, attributed to the growing interest in artificial intelligence, with NVIDIA showing particularly strong growth, its shares rising by over 200%.

All present unanimously agreed that the AI industry should develop under state control. Elon Musk termed the meeting "crucial for the future of civilization" and characterized artificial intelligence as a "double-edged sword."

He emphasized the need for creating a regulatory body that ensures safety and protects societal interests. However, Musk also noted his uncertainty regarding Congress's willingness to regulate artificial intelligence. He urged lawmakers to closely examine various aspects of artificial intelligence before taking legislative steps. Many topics, such as copyrights, privacy, racial discrimination, economic ties with China, and the applications of AI for military purposes, require further research.

Undoubtedly, Artificial Intelligence possesses the potential to revolutionize humanity in most profound ways. However, several obstacles stand in the way of realizing its fullest potential.