AI discrimination is a bigger risk than human extinction – EU commissioner

Discrimination is a bigger threat posed by artificial intelligence than possible extinction of the human race, according to the EU's competition commissioner. Margrethe Vestager said although the existential risk from advances in AI may be a concern, it was unlikely, whereas discrimination from the technology was a real problem. She told the BBC "guardrails" were needed for AI, including for situations where it was being used for decisions that could affect livelihoods, such as mortgage applications or access to social services. "Probably [the risk of extinction] may exist, but I think the likelihood is quite small. I think the AI risks are more that people will be discriminated [against], they will not be seen as who they are," she said.