Doesn’t a similar criticism apply to ML researchers who claim not to fear AI? (i.e. it would be inconvenient for them if it became widely thought that ML research was dangerous).
Not really. I mean, yes, in principle. But in practice, EY relies on people having UFAI as a “live issue” to keep MIRI going. ML researchers are not worried about funding cuts due to UFAI fears. They are worried about Congress being dysfunctional, etc. My personal funding situation will be affected by any way this argument plays out not at all.
Yudkowsky seems to think it is significant …
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10983539
“It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.”
Doesn’t a similar criticism apply to ML researchers who claim not to fear AI? (i.e. it would be inconvenient for them if it became widely thought that ML research was dangerous).
Not really. I mean, yes, in principle. But in practice, EY relies on people having UFAI as a “live issue” to keep MIRI going. ML researchers are not worried about funding cuts due to UFAI fears. They are worried about Congress being dysfunctional, etc. My personal funding situation will be affected by any way this argument plays out not at all.