The Brazilian-born researcher caused a stir at the Web Summit this week with his presentation of Grace, a robot nurse designed to care for the elderly in their care homes.

A key technology with human cognitive capabilities called “artificial general intelligence” (AIG) could be developed “within a few years,” Kurtzl said. He is behind SingularityNET, a platform dedicated to the decentralized and open development of AI.

The following is the text of an AFP interview with American researcher Ben Kurzel:

What is lacking to create an artificial intelligence system with human cognitive capabilities?

“If we really want machines with the same intelligence as humans, and the ability to respond quickly to the unexpected, these machines can do more than what is programmed. We’re not there yet. But the reasons are there. Believe it will happen.” This is possible not after decades but after years.

What do you think about the GBT Chat controversy? Do you think it is necessary to freeze research for six months as some say?

“I don’t think there’s a need to stop for six months, because this artificial intelligence is not dangerous. It has no ability to think as complex, multi-step, or find new things out of data as scientists do. It just gets it. We can’t plan how to deal with it.” New situations like the Covid-19 pandemic.

There are those who call for research to be stopped because this type of system contributes to misinformation. But does this mean blocking the internet is necessary? I think we should live in a free society, and we shouldn’t ban this (+chat gpt+) just like we shouldn’t ban the internet.”

Should AI solutions to replace some jobs be considered risky?

“I think under the new chat type GPT systems the time will be more than 80 percent of the work done by humans, but I don’t see that as a danger, but a good thing. It’s a good thing. . People will find better things to do. . . Almost all administrative tasks can be automated. .

“The problem will be in the transition phase, when AI starts overtaking successive jobs… I don’t know how we’re going to solve the social problems that come from that.”

What can robots contribute to society today, and what can AI do in the future?

“He can do a lot of good things like the robot nurse Grace. In America, many elderly people feel lonely in nursing homes because food, medical care and watching television are not enough to provide them with what they need socially and emotionally. But to answer their questions and listen to their stories. , adopting humanoid robots at these centers to interact with their children or help them make online purchases helps improve their lives.

“In this case, there are not enough applicants for nursing jobs, so there are no job cuts. Education is also an important area for humanoid robots, as well as household chores.

How can we harness AI to have a positive impact on people?

“Management should be inclusive of the population, in some way, that is technically feasible. The problem is that the companies that fund most of the research in AI don’t care about the public good. What they want is as much financial profit as possible for their shareholders.”