Life as depicted in George Orwell’s 1984 “could come to pass in 2024” if lawmakers don’t protect the public against artificial intelligence, Microsoft’s president has warned.
Speaking to BBC’s Panorama, Brad Smith said it will be “difficult to catch up” with the rapidly advancing technology.
The programme explores China’s increasing use of AI to monitor its citizens.
Critics fear the state’s dominance in the area could threaten democracy.
“If we don’t enact the laws that will protect the public in the future, we are going to find the technology racing ahead, and it’s going to be very difficult to catch up,” Mr Smith said.
“Well, that didn’t come to pass in 1984, but if we’re not careful that could come to pass in 2024.”
Google Strikes Deal With Hospital Chain to Develop Healthcare Algorithms
Tech giant expands health-sector presence in latest deal to develop tools to improve medical care, as privacy concerns arise