Stephen Fry has compared the rise in the technology with the industrial revolution and has warned superpowers will handle the tech differently
Stephen Fry has voiced his belief that empathy will be integrated into future artificial intelligence (AI) products. The esteemed actor and comedian, known for his roles in ‘Blackadder’ and ‘Fry and Laurie’, likened the surge of AI to the industrial revolution, predicting that corporate-style writing will increasingly depend on AI.
However, he stressed the importance of programming equality into the technology’s core.
Speaking to The Observer, Fry explained, “Any writing that is the equivalent of digging a canal in the 17th century summations, precis of things, reports will be done this way (with AI.)” He drew parallels between the evolution of manual labour tools and the development of AI, saying, “We progressed from steam shovels to JCBs, and nobody would call for a second to abandon these machines that do these backbreaking, laborious, repetitive, meaningless jobs.”
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Fry expressed his concerns about humanity’s struggle with equality: “What worries me is that it’s taken us hundreds of years, through the age of reason and the Enlightenment and modern times to come to grips with the fact that all human beings should be treated equally.”
Yet, he was adamant that such ethical considerations will be incorporated into AI, asserting, “That sense will be built into our AI frameworks.”
He also highlighted how different global powers might utilise AI, cautioning, “China and Russia have completely different ethical frameworks, and the idea that these realms (humanity and computing) can be kept separate… well, it’s a bit like saying, ‘If I pee into the Channel, it’ll never get to the Pacific.'” Fry pointed out the futility of trying to contain the spread of technology, comparing digital safeguards to physical barriers: “Yes, you can put up firewalls, a bit like waves and dams, but things always get through.”
Stephen, who has an impressive portfolio with over 60 TV shows, at least 50 films, and 17 books to his name, is currently gracing the silver screen in the movie ‘Treasure’, acting alongside ‘Girls’ creator Lena Dunham.
In this poignant film, he portrays Edek, a Polish Holocaust survivor who hesitantly returns to his homeland accompanied by his journalist daughter, played by the 38-year-old Lena.
Reflecting on his role, Stephen shared: “Just occasionally, roles come along that ask for something else, and to have someone like Lena to work with I fell in love with her straight away.”
