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We meet the protesters who want to ban Artificial General Intelligence before it even exists

Feb 19, 2025 - theregister.com
A group called STOP AI, based in San Francisco, is advocating for the permanent ban of artificial general intelligence (AGI), which they believe poses an existential threat to humanity. The group, led by co-founders Sam Kirchner and Guido Reichstadter, is organizing protests and engaging in civil disobedience to raise awareness about the potential dangers of AGI. They aim to rally 3.5% of the U.S. population to support their cause, drawing inspiration from other successful nonviolent resistance movements. STOP AI's concerns are fueled by fears that AGI could surpass human intelligence and lead to unintended consequences, including job loss and societal disruption.

The group is also seeking justice for Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI employee and whistleblower who died under suspicious circumstances. While Balaji's death was ruled a suicide, his family disputes the findings and continues to investigate. STOP AI's efforts include engaging with AI companies to discuss their concerns, although they acknowledge the challenges of achieving a global ban on AGI development. Despite the uphill battle, STOP AI is committed to addressing the potential risks associated with AGI and advocating for regulatory measures to prevent its creation.

Key takeaways:

  • STOP AI is a non-violent civil resistance group aiming to ban the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI) due to its potential existential risks.
  • The group is organizing protests and advocating for government intervention to halt AGI development, citing concerns about losing control over superintelligent systems.
  • STOP AI's co-founders, Sam Kirchner and Guido Reichstadter, have been involved in civil disobedience and legal proceedings related to their protests against OpenAI.
  • The organization seeks to engage 3.5% of the US population in peaceful protests, inspired by successful nonviolent movements like Just Stop Oil in the UK.
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