The Opinion Pages | Op-Ed Contributor

How to Regulate Artificial Intelligence

By OREN ETZIONISEPT. 1, 2017

Credit Isaac Lawrence/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

The technology entrepreneur Elon Musk recently urged the nation’s governors to regulate artificial intelligence “before it’s too late.” Mr. Musk insists that artificial intelligence represents an “existential threat to humanity,” an alarmist view that confuses A.I. science with science fiction. Nevertheless, even A.I. researchers like me recognize that there are valid concerns about its impact on weapons, jobs and privacy. It’s natural to ask whether we should develop A.I. at all.