Japan's largest telecommunications company and Japan's largest newspaper called for swift legislation to rein in generative AI, saying it could undermine democracy and social order if left unchecked. From the report: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) and Yomiuri Shimbun Group Holdings made the proposal in an AI manifesto to be released on Monday. Coupled with legislation passed in March by the European Parliament restricting some uses of AI, the manifesto raises concerns among US allies about AI programs being developed by US-based companies at the forefront. points out that it is increasing.
While Japanese company manifestos pointed to the potential benefits of generative AI in improving productivity, they were generally skeptical about the technology. Although he did not provide specifics, he said that AI tools are sometimes designed to get users' attention without consideration for morality or accuracy, and that they have already begun to undermine human dignity. Unless AI is reined in, “in the worst-case scenario, democracy and social order could collapse, leading to war,” the manifesto said. He said Japan should take immediate action, including legislation to protect elections and national security from the misuse of generative AI.