Buffet likens AI to the atom bomb.

Billionaire Investor Warren Buffett Expresses Concern Over Artificial Intelligence

Billionaire investor Warren Buffett expressed his concern over the rise of artificial intelligence during a wide-ranging discussion at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting in Omaha, Nebraska. He compared the rise of the technology to the creation of the atom bomb, saying that although he was impressed by AI’s vast capabilities, he was a bit apprehensive about the technology.

Buffett’s Concerns

• Buffett said he believes AI will change “everything in the world, except how men think and behave.”
• He said he was worried about the fact that once something can do all kinds of things, it cannot be un-invented.
• Buffett said he believes AI’s threat is more urgent to humanity than climate change.

Although he acknowledged that AI has enormous potential, including checking all legal opinions “since the beginning of time,” he said he believes that AI will change everything in the world, except how men think and behave. “And that’s a big step to take,” he said.

Munger’s Skepticism

Charlie Munger, the 99-year-old vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, also expressed some reluctance about AI. “I am personally skeptical of some of the hype that is going into artificial intelligence,” Munger said. “I think old-fashioned intelligence works pretty well.”

The comments from the titans of investing came after more than 1,600 researchers and tech experts, including Elon Musk, signed a letter in late March calling for a six-month pause on AI development because they claim it poses “profound risks to society and humanity.”

“Powerful AI systems should be developed only once we are confident that their effects will be positive and their risks will be manageable,” the letter said.

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