AI May Become 'Too Smart' And Be Used For Things We Don't Even Understand Yet, Palantir Co-Founder Says

Joe Lonsdale, founding partner at 8VC and co-founder of Palantir Technologies Inc (NYSE:PLTR), believes we are so early in artificial intelligence (AI) development, no one knows the extent to which it will change our lives.

What To Know: Monday on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Lonsdale pondered the question that is on the minds of some of the smartest people in the world.

“Are you creating something that’s going to completely change the nature of the world? That’s the biggest question, and I don’t think any of us know,” Lonsdale said.

Most people are focused on the positives of AI. It’s a tool that can massively increase productivity and boost wealth, he said: But what happens if it gets “too smart” and someone uses it for something we don’t even understand yet?

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It’s possible that AI will become sentient within five to ten years and be able to feel and perceive things like a human being. Lonsdale is skeptical and leans toward believing it will take decades to reach said milestone, but he did not rule out the possibility that it could only be a few years away.

“We’re learning very much how the human brain works and we’re learning ways that this thing can be way more advanced than the human brain,” Lonsdale said.

The tech entrepreneur and investor told CNBC that he believes we are multiple generations away from reaching that point with AI because he tends to believe that the human brain and mind are a lot more complicated than people realize.

“This actually makes everyone better off … People who are not doing well economically can all of a sudden get lots of things for very cheap thanks to AI. I think it’s really positive so I’m more focused on that and I don’t think we should stop it, but I do think there’s this like long-tail threat, which is something we have to think about,” Lonsdale said.

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