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An artificial intelligence expert and entrepreneur warned that while the new technology has the potential for huge benefits, it could also prove to be “too powerful and disruptive” for humanity, expressing doubt about the ability of the federal government to meet such a challenge.
Kevin Baragona worked as a software engineer, but saw the potential impact of AI, which led him to start DeepAI in 2016 to help the new technology come to fruition. The free online service is growing rapidly and the number of users has increased tenfold in the past year.
DeepAI was the first company to offer an online AI text-to-image generator that allows users to enter a description of the image they want to create, select a theme, and receive a custom image for download.
The platform also offers several other services such as an AI chatbot, image editor, and other AI-generated content. Baragona has said his goal is to simplify access to AI technology for the wider population and make AI accessible even to those who don’t own computers. DeepAI houses an extensive collection of research papers and an AI glossary that aims to explain AI to users of all experience levels.
Vice President Kamala Harris attends the 2023 Aspen Ideas Climate Event on March 8, 2023 in Miami Beach, Fla. (Harris photo by Mireya Acierto / Getty Images)
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“DeepAI enhances people’s creativity,” Baragona told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview. “AI gives people a creativity boost. In addition, we can use it to create joy in people’s minds, such as with our image generator.”
Baragona described a vision of AI improving rather than catching up with human activity, with advanced technology as an incentive or complement. Such a role, he explained, would be the ideal scenario for AI’s future. However, Baragona was quick to add that people are rightly concerned.
“On the one hand, AI is amazing technology like the smartphone or the internet that can make us richer, more creative and more powerful,” said Baragona. “On the other hand, AI may be too powerful and disruptive. Now we’re at a point where AI is as good as humans in a lot of areas, or at least getting closer.”
Baragona explained that virtually every field – from journalism to justice to fine art – is being impacted by the rise of AI, all at the exact same time, and outlines three major risks that could have profound consequences for society: disruption, potential massive job losses and the prospect of making computers smarter than humans.
A specific example he mentioned is not being able to trust what one sees online because of AI, which can be used as a weapon to manipulate information and advance a certain ideology.
DeepAI founder and CEO Kevin Baragona (Image provided by DeepAI)
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“Typically, AI reflects the values of those who created it,” Baragona said. “ChatGPT is known for being quite left-wing.”
“I would describe myself as a bit conflicted,” he added. “I like AI as a technology, what it can do for humans. But we can’t ignore the potential downsides. In many ways, it’s like opening Pandora’s box.”
Baragona said regulation could play a role in reducing risk, but was not optimistic about policymakers’ ability to rise to the challenge. When asked if he was confident Washington would address the issues raised by AI, he replied, “Well, they put Kamala Harris in charge, so not really.”
The White House named Vice President Harris an “AI czar” early last month to lead the Biden administration’s new initiative “to promote responsible AI innovation that protects the rights and safety of Americans.”
Harris’ appointment was met with widespread skepticism, with numerous voices questioning her ability to handle the role of AI czar. Twitter owner Elon Musk recently mocked the arrangement, tweeting, “Maybe someone who can fix their own Wi-Fi router isn’t too much to ask.”
Home page of the DeepAI website (Image provided by DeepAI)
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Harris has similarly been criticized for her role as a “border czar” in government over the ongoing crisis of mass illegal crossings on Mexico’s southern border into the US.
The White House has not responded to a request for comment on this story.
Despite his skepticism about Harris, however, Baragona argued that no one — including AI experts — really has no idea what’s to come.
“It’s a tidal wave, even for insiders,” he said. “I wouldn’t say insiders are better prepared. We’re all in this together.”
DeepAi continues to expand its service, working on “better and better” versions of what it already has and also developing video games that use AI technology, Baragona said.
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Ultimately, he argued, people need to take responsibility for educating themselves about AI in order to be prepared for the future.
“The message I want people to hear is that they need to educate themselves about what AI can do already and what AI can do in the future so that we have hope to successfully adapt to this technology,” Baragona said. “We may soon be entering a sci-fi future, more sci-fi than we anticipated, and we need to be ready for it.”
Aaron Kliegman is a political reporter for Fox News Digital.
