Duncan Thomsen, a renowned British film editor, has stirred controversy after using artificial intelligence (AI) software Midjourney to generate realistic pictures of famous historical figures such as Jesus, Cleopatra, Queen Elizabeth I and Henry VIII.
The project has been met with mixed reactions from technology industry leaders. Some have lauded the innovative use of AI in art while others have called for an "immediate pause" on the training of advanced AI systems for at least six months.
Critics argue that allowing machines to replicate human features in such detail poses ethical concerns and could be potentially dangerous. They fear that it may lead to the creation of deepfakes - manipulated images or videos that appear authentic but are actually fabricated.
Eliezer Yudkowsky, an expert on AI ethics and co-founder of Machine Intelligence Research Institute (MIRI), believes that a temporary moratorium is not enough. He argues that we need to develop more rigorous safety protocols before advancing further in this field.
In response to the backlash, Thomsen defended his project stating: "We're not trying to replace history or humans with machines. We're simply exploring new ways of artistic expression."
While some may view this as a breakthrough in creative technology, others remain skeptical about its implications for society's future relationship with machines.
As debates surrounding AI continue to unfold globally, it remains uncertain whether projects like Thomsen's will help advance our understanding and integration of emerging technologies or if they will ultimately cause more harm than good.