Vitalik Buterin Suggests Temporary Limits on AI Development

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has proposed a "soft pause" on industrial-scale computing to delay the development of superintelligent AI, providing humanity with time to address its potential risks.

In his January 5 blog post, Buterin warned that such AI systems—far surpassing human intelligence—could emerge within five years, with unpredictable and potentially dangerous consequences.

Buterin’s proposal suggests drastically reducing global computational capacity by up to 99% for one to two years. This slowdown, he argues, would give society a chance to create safeguards and prepare for the profound challenges posed by advanced AI.

He also outlined alternative strategies, including liability rules and oversight mechanisms requiring international authorization for industrial AI hardware, potentially using blockchain technology for transparency and enforcement.

By advocating for a cautious approach to AI development, Buterin aligns with growing concerns in the tech industry about unregulated advancements. His vision emphasizes balancing innovation with responsibility, ensuring that technological progress benefits humanity without causing unintended harm.