Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has sounded the alarm on the potential dangers of artificial intelligence, emphasizing that AI itself will be crucial in combating the malicious use of the technology. Speaking at an event hosted by the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, DC on September 27, Huang warned that AI is capable of generating fake data and false information at an unprecedented pace, necessitating equally advanced AI systems to detect and counter these threats. “It’s going to take AI to catch the darker side of AI,” Huang stated, drawing parallels between the fight against AI-driven misinformation and the ongoing battle against cybersecurity threats.
He argued that just as companies must constantly bolster their defenses against hacking and cyberattacks, society will need to deploy sophisticated AI tools to stay ahead of bad actors misusing the technology. The issue of AI-generated misinformation has taken on heightened urgency as the United States prepares for federal elections in November. A recent survey by the Pew Research Center found that nearly 60% of Americans, regardless of political affiliation, are deeply concerned about the potential use of AI to create false information about presidential candidates.
The survey also revealed that around two in five respondents believe AI will be used “mostly for bad” during the election. These concerns have been further amplified by reports that Russia and Iran are already employing AI to influence the election, including the manipulation of videos featuring Vice President Kamala Harris.
Nvidia’s AI warning
An official from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence recently disclosed these efforts, underscoring the immediacy of the threat. Huang called on the US government to not only regulate AI but also to become a leading practitioner of the technology. He suggested that every government department, especially the Departments of Energy and Defense, should actively leverage AI in their operations.
Additionally, Huang proposed the creation of a national AI supercomputer to drive innovation and maintain the country’s competitive edge in the field. Looking ahead, Huang predicted that the energy demands of AI systems will grow significantly as they continue to process ever-increasing amounts of data. He estimated that AI data centers could eventually require 10 to 20 times more energy than they currently consume.
To address this challenge, Huang suggested building AI data centers near sources of excess energy that would otherwise go to waste, noting that AI systems can learn effectively regardless of their physical location. As the debate surrounding the societal impact of AI continues to evolve, Nvidia’s CEO has made it clear that proactively harnessing the power of AI will be essential not only for driving innovation but also for safeguarding against its potential misuse. The stakes are high, and the time to act is now.
