If some current warnings are to be believed, artificial intelligence may be the human invention that outwits its creators. Understandably, there are now global calls to regulate the technology.

At the current gathering of the United Nations General Assembly, 20 nations (including Australia and Canada) are calling for increased oversight of advanced AI systems. New Zealand – along with the United States and China, which dominate the global AI industry – did not join the initiative.

According to the MIT AI Risk Initiative, incidents of concern are on the rise rapidly. Overall, the global AI industry is raising profound questions about ethics, economy, equity and security.

While there is disagreement between those warning of a potential doomsday scenario and others who take a more benign view of AI’s likely trajectory, investment in the industry is forecast to exceed US$1 trillion this year.

Little wonder the preliminary report of the UN Independent International Scientific Panel on AI found “the gap between rapidly improving capabilities and effective risk management methods may lead to catastrophic outcomes”.

At the same time, the claimed economic benefits of AI often take precedence. Fearing losing the advantage to........

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