Apple joins Amazon, Facebook, Google, IBM and Microsoft in AI initiative

In Brief

•   Apple joins with other tech giants in the Partnership on AI to Benefit People and Society to help steer the direction of artificial intelligence research.

•   With the absence of regulations in the field, the group will work toward developing standards and ethics around the development and implementation of AI.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is rising in popularity every day. Seemingly all major companies are hopping on the bandwagon, trying to find new and interesting ways to utilize AI. As part of this movement, the Partnership on AI to Benefit People and Society was created in September of 2016. When it was created, Amazon, Facebook, Google, IBM, and Microsoft joined as founding members of the initiative.

It has now been officially announced that Apple is joining this AI initiative. Representing Apple in this exciting collaboration is the co-founder of Siri, and Apple CTO Tom Gruber. Given Apple’s popularity and reputation, this joining of forces could lead to future advances in AI.

This AI “A-Team” promises to push the field even further. However, as more money, power, and capable scientists get behind this initiative, it is important to stop, take a step back, and reevaluate. While we might seem to be worlds away from a sci-fi fueled AI takeover, there are legitimate ethical issues that arise when dealing with AI.

This technology and its potential could revolutionize life as we know it, which is a massive, but positive change. However, as more and more companies get on board with AI, it is important for some amount of ethical supervision, some rules and regulations to ensure that, as we make incredible progress, we do so with care. It is important, that we ask both what we can, and what we should do.

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