--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The real problem is not the existential…" description: "\"The real problem is not the existential threat of AI. Instead, it is in the development of ethical AI systems.\" — Rana el Kaliouby" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/322/rana-el-kaliouby-8316_ai_the-real-problem-is-not-the-existential_2659791.jpg" --- # The real problem is not the existential threat of AI… ![“The real problem is not the existential threat of AI. Instead, it is in the development of ethical AI systems.” quote by Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/322/rana-el-kaliouby-8316_ai_the-real-problem-is-not-the-existential_2659791.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/322/rana-el-kaliouby-8316_ai_the-real-problem-is-not-the-existential_2659791.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/322/rana-el-kaliouby-8316_ai_the-real-problem-is-not-the-existential_2659791.jpg) > “The real problem is not the existential threat of AI. Instead, it is in the development of ethical AI systems.” [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The main issue isn’t AI’s power but ensuring it’s built ethically **In simple terms:** Ethical design is the core challenge of AI Key Takeaway Prioritize ethics in AI development Themes AI ethics responsibility Mood concerned optimistic Type policy philosophical When to use this quote - policy making - tech companies - research labs Key Concepts bias mitigation human‑centered design Questions to Reflect On - How can ethical standards be enforced? - What incentives promote responsible AI? A Different Perspective Ethics can be deprioritized for profit ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Existential](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existential/) [Existentialism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existentialism/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) ## Related quotes > [We need to build EQ in our AI systems because, otherwise, they're not going to be as effective as they were designed to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/we-need-to-build-eq-in-our-ai-systems-because-otherwise-they-re-not/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) > [Only by developing a deeper understanding of AI systems as they act in the world can we ensure that this new infrastructure never turns…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-crawford/only-by-developing-a-deeper-understanding-of-ai-systems-as-they-act/) [Kate Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-crawford/) > [Beyond helping other people build AI systems with Deeplearning.ai, I also hope to build some AI systems myself!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-ng/beyond-helping-other-people-build-ai-systems-with-deeplearning-ai-i/) [Andrew Ng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-ng/) > [“Once out, AI is here to stay, but there are meaningful ways to use AI instead of cheap forgery.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/once-out-ai-is-here-to-stay-but-there-are-meaningful-ways-to-use-ai/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“... Ethical cyberexplorers are responsible, yeah? We are friendly ghosts in the machine, not poltergeists or hooligans. We are a growing breed. Over sixty-five…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mitchell/ethical-cyberexplorers-are-responsible-yeah-we-are-friendly-ghosts-in/) [David Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mitchell/) > [“Indeed, the best experts for performing such diagnosis may soon be AI systems, given the rapid progress in computer vision and deep learning.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-tegmark/indeed-the-best-experts-for-performing-such-diagnosis-may-soon-be-ai/) [Max Tegmark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-tegmark/) > [AI systems will enable doctors to diagnose diseases and treat people better, so blocking that progress is probably one of the worst things you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-zuckerberg/ai-systems-will-enable-doctors-to-diagnose-diseases-and-treat-people/) [Mark Zuckerberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-zuckerberg/) > [Elon Musk, Stephen Hawking, and others have stated that they think AI is an existential risk. I disagree. I don't see a risk to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramez-naam/elon-musk-stephen-hawking-and-others-have-stated-that-they-think-ai/) [Ramez Naam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramez-naam/) > [I see that our emotional AI technology can be a core component of online learning systems - health wearables, even.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/i-see-that-our-emotional-ai-technology-can-be-a-core-component-of/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) > [I co-founded Affectiva with Professor Rosalind W. Picard when we spun out of MIT Media Lab in 2009. I acted as Chief Technology and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/i-co-founded-affectiva-with-professor-rosalind-w-picard-when-we-spun/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) > [As co-founder and CEO of an AI company, I am used to there not being many women in the room, especially in AI.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/as-co-founder-and-ceo-of-an-ai-company-i-am-used-to-there-not-being/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) > [I do worry that organizations and even governments who own AI and data will have a competitive advantage and power, and those who don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/i-do-worry-that-organizations-and-even-governments-who-own-ai-and/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) > [Governments like China and the United Arab Emirates are investing heavily in AI and see it as a competitive advantage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/governments-like-china-and-the-united-arab-emirates-are-investing/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) > [Emotion AI will be ingrained in the technologies we use every day, running in the background, making our tech interactions more personalized, relevant, authentic,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/emotion-ai-will-be-ingrained-in-the-technologies-we-use-every-day/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) > [Now with our Software Developer Kit (SDK), any developer can embed Emotion AI into the apps, games, devices, and digital experiences they are building,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/now-with-our-software-developer-kit-sdk-any-developer-can-embed/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) ## More by Rana el Kaliouby > [Emotions matter. They influence all aspects of our lives - how we live, work, and play - from the decisions we make and how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/emotions-matter-they-influence-all-aspects-of-our-lives-how-we-live/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) > [Emotion AI will be ingrained in the technologies we use every day, running in the background, making our tech interactions more personalized, relevant, authentic,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/emotion-ai-will-be-ingrained-in-the-technologies-we-use-every-day/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) > [Our human face happens to be one of the most powerful channels that we all use to communicate social and emotional states: everything from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/our-human-face-happens-to-be-one-of-the-most-powerful-channels-that/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) > [I find solace in immersing myself in my work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/i-find-solace-in-immersing-myself-in-my-work/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) > [I do believe I have certain strengths as a female CEO, such as having another level of awareness through emotional intelligence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/i-do-believe-i-have-certain-strengths-as-a-female-ceo-such-as-having/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) > [At Affectiva, we hire top talent - and the entire world is our search space. I take pride in the cultural diversity of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/at-affectiva-we-hire-top-talent-and-the-entire-world-is-our-search/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) > [On the path to ubiquity of AI, there will be many ethics-related decisions that we, as AI leaders, need to make. We have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/on-the-path-to-ubiquity-of-ai-there-will-be-many-ethics-related/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) > [You won't remember what it was like when your technology didn't recognize when you are sad or angry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/you-won-t-remember-what-it-was-like-when-your-technology-didn-t/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) > [The way to solve problems in the world is to become scientists and technologists and build things that haven't been built before and discover…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/the-way-to-solve-problems-in-the-world-is-to-become-scientists-and/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) > [I see that our emotional AI technology can be a core component of online learning systems - health wearables, even.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/i-see-that-our-emotional-ai-technology-can-be-a-core-component-of/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) > [In online learning environments, it is often hard to tell whether a student is struggling. By the time test scores are lagging, it's often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/in-online-learning-environments-it-is-often-hard-to-tell-whether-a/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) > [We recognize that your emotional information is extremely personal. And so we have veered away from all use cases where that data is being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/we-recognize-that-your-emotional-information-is-extremely-personal/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) > [Governments like China and the United Arab Emirates are investing heavily in AI and see it as a competitive advantage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/governments-like-china-and-the-united-arab-emirates-are-investing/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) > [We're very interested in helping individuals on the autism spectrum cope and learn about social interactions and regulating emotions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/we-re-very-interested-in-helping-individuals-on-the-autism-spectrum/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) > [Because being CEO can feel lonely, I journal religiously as a way to express my thoughts, feelings and aspirations. Looking back at earlier entries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/because-being-ceo-can-feel-lonely-i-journal-religiously-as-a-way-to/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) [Explore all 82 Rana el Kaliouby quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) ## More AI quotes > [Having been trained as a computer scientist in the '90s, everybody knew that AI didn't work. People tried it. They tried neural nets, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergey-brin/having-been-trained-as-a-computer-scientist-in-the-90s-everybody-knew/) [Sergey Brin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergey-brin/) > [AI and other emerging technologies will determine the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-husted/ai-and-other-emerging-technologies-will-determine-the-future/) [Jon Husted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-husted/) > [“Stomach full of jitters, little beasts that were second cousins to guacamolians—little green monsters that wreaked havoc in your stomach.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-kely-mcclung/stomach-full-of-jitters-little-beasts-that-were-second-cousins-to/) [William Kely McClung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-kely-mcclung/) > [“Imagine, Bishop, that you have a beloved cat, but that your cat is not with you. If you close your eyes and further imagine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-marusek/imagine-bishop-that-you-have-a-beloved-cat-but-that-your-cat-is-not/) [David Marusek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-marusek/) > [AI might be a powerful technology, but things won't get better simply by adding AI.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivienne-ming/ai-might-be-a-powerful-technology-but-things-won-t-get-better-simply/) [Vivienne Ming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivienne-ming/) > [OpenAI is doing important work by releasing tools which promote AI to be developed in the open. Compute power is largely produced by NVIDIA…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-ehrsam/openai-is-doing-important-work-by-releasing-tools-which-promote-ai-to/) [Fred Ehrsam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-ehrsam/) > [It's hard for me to speculate about what motivates somebody like Stephen Hawking or Elon Musk to talk so extensively about AI. I'd have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oren-etzioni/it-s-hard-for-me-to-speculate-about-what-motivates-somebody-like/) [Oren Etzioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oren-etzioni/) > [If you could train an AI to be a Buddhist, it would probably be pretty good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reid-hoffman/if-you-could-train-an-ai-to-be-a-buddhist-it-would-probably-be-pretty/) [Reid Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reid-hoffman/) > [“In the race to scale a startup, overlooking financial planning is like to building a skyscraper on shaky ground. True growth stems from decisions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-hishmeh/in-the-race-to-scale-a-startup-overlooking-financial-planning-is-like/) Jason Hishmeh > [I'm a geek through and through. My last job at Microsoft was leading much of the search engine relevance work on Bing. There we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramez-naam/i-m-a-geek-through-and-through-my-last-job-at-microsoft-was-leading/) [Ramez Naam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramez-naam/) > [Emotion AI will be ingrained in the technologies we use every day, running in the background, making our tech interactions more personalized, relevant, authentic,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/emotion-ai-will-be-ingrained-in-the-technologies-we-use-every-day/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) > [Even a cat has things it can do that AI cannot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fei-fei-li/even-a-cat-has-things-it-can-do-that-ai-cannot/) [Fei-Fei Li](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fei-fei-li/) > [AI is a tool. The choice about how it gets deployed is ours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oren-etzioni/ai-is-a-tool-the-choice-about-how-it-gets-deployed-is-ours/) [Oren Etzioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oren-etzioni/) > [I joined Baidu in 2014 to work on AI. Since then, Baidu's AI group has grown to roughly 1,300 people, which includes the 300-person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-ng/i-joined-baidu-in-2014-to-work-on-ai-since-then-baidu-s-ai-group-has/) [Andrew Ng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-ng/) > [“But on the question of whether the robots will eventually take over, he { Rodney A. Brooks } says that this will probably not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michio-kaku/but-on-the-question-of-whether-the-robots-will-eventually-take-over/) [Michio Kaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michio-kaku/) Browse all 315 AI quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The real problem is not the existential threat of AI. 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