>**Four Features**: The unique characteristics of the coming wave that exacerbate the challenge of containment. They are asymmetry, hyper-evolution, omni-use, and autonomy.^[Suleyman, 2023, p. 14] These features collectively contribute to the difficulty in containing and controlling the impacts of these technologies. 1. **Asymmetry**: The proliferation of advanced technology leads to differential empowerment of individuals and groups. In particular, it creates a massive shift in power from defense to offense. Many actors might get access to cheap but powerful technologies that both reduce the barrier to harmful action and increase its potency. A single engineered pathogen could spark a global pandemic, for instance. Defending against such attacks, on the other hand, is significantly more difficult and expensive. The potential damage is exacerbated by the globalized and interconnected nature of today's world, where any single point of failure can cascade around the world. 2. **Hyper-Evolution**: Suleyman describes hyper-evolution as the extraordinarily rapid pace of technological development and change. The speed at which new technologies are developed and improved upon often outpaces the ability of societies, regulatory bodies, and ethical frameworks to adapt. This rapid evolution makes it difficult to anticipate future developments and to establish effective governance structures in time to mitigate potential negative impacts. 3. **Omni-Use**: Technologies of the coming wave are characterized by high levels of generality and versatility, i.e., they can be applied for many different purposes across a wide range of domains and industries. This universality means that a single technological advancement can have a broad and varied impact, affecting everything from healthcare to national security, from personal privacy to global economies. Any technology that's initially developed for a good purpose can be redirected: For example, an AI used in drug discovery could be used to identify cures as well as poisons. The widespread applicability of these technologies makes it challenging to predict all potential uses and misuses, complicating efforts to establish comprehensive guidelines and controls. 4. **Autonomy**: Autonomy refers to the ability of technologies to operate independently of human control or intervention. This includes AI systems that can make decisions or take actions based on their programming and learning. The autonomous nature of these technologies raises complex ethical and practical issues, such as alignment with human values, transparency, and the potential loss of human control and oversight. The self-governing aspect makes it challenging to predict and control outcomes, especially as these systems become more advanced. Together, these features create a landscape where the traditional methods of control and regulation may be inadequate, and catastrophic outcomes are more likely than ever.^[Ibid] The asymmetry, hyper-evolution, omni-use, and autonomy of modern technologies demand novel approaches to governance, ethics, and public policy. Suleyman emphasizes the need for proactive, flexible, and collaborative strategies to navigate the challenges of the coming wave, ensuring that the benefits of these advancements are maximized while minimizing their risks. --- Topics: - [[The AI Revolution and the Tapestry of Tomorrow (Index)]] Related notes: - [[The "Coming Wave" is an emerging cluster of technologies centered on AI and synthetic biology]] - [[Technology tends to improve and proliferate]] - [[Containment of advances in AI is likely not possible]]