More researchers and staff members at artificial intelligence company Anthropic have publicly warned about the potential dangers of increasingly advanced AI systems, a day after a former researcher made an apocalyptic declaration about the technology.

The Anthropic insiders fear AI could become so advanced and dangerous that it could contribute to human extinction within the decade. They also say many of their colleagues share similar concerns but have not spoken publicly.

The warnings have drawn a response from Elon Musk and other conservative figures on X, formerly Twitter, who have described the growing chorus of concerns as a “setup” and a “psyop”.

The latest warnings follow a viral post from former Anthropic and OpenAI researcher Jacob Coxon, who said he was resigning because he believed the companies were not developing AI models responsibly.

Anthropic researchers including Anna Wang and Drake Thomas have publicly echoed concerns about the pace of AI development and the risks associated with increasingly capable systems. Wang said there was not yet a viable scientific plan to address risks from recursively self-improving AI, while Thomas said development was moving too quickly for the level of assurance researchers would want before artificial superintelligence.

Anthropic has defended its approach, saying it is transparent about both the potential benefits and unprecedented risks of AI and that it continues to build models with strong safeguards.

Source: The Guardian