The geopolitical implications of artificial intelligence (AI) and its most prominent example to date – ChatGPT – remain deeply uncertain. It will surely roil the technology industry and change our daily lives, but it is less clear whether it will augur a shift in geopolitical power or create policy dilemmas for the European Union. These are hard questions, perhaps too hard for a human being to answer. So we asked ChatGPT itself (its answers have been edited, like the writing of our human authors, for length):
Q: What are the geopolitical consequences of ChatGPT?
A: OpenAI’s GPT-3 language model, including ChatGPT, does not have geopolitical consequences as it is an artificial intelligence language model … Political consequences are the effects or results of political actions or events and are typically a result of human decisions and actions, not artificial intelligence models.
Q: But can ChatGPT reinforce US dominance in technology at the cost of China?
A: OpenAI’s GPT-3 language model, including ChatGPT, can be seen as reinforcing US dominance in technology, as OpenAI is a US-based company. However, it is important to note that the development of AI and its applications is a global effort, with many countries, including China, contributing significantly to the field. The use of GPT-3 or any other AI technology by individual companies or countries can impact their competitiveness, but it is unlikely to have a significant impact on global geopolitical dynamics.
Q: Can ChatGPT be used for military purposes?
A: ChatGPT … could potentially be used for military purposes, such as in the generation of military reports, translations, or communications. However, it is important to note that the use of AI in military applications is highly regulated and subject to ethical and legal considerations, … It is ultimately up to governments, military organisations, and other stakeholders to determine the appropriate use of AI technology in military contexts.