Former President Donald Trump shared his thoughts on artificial intelligence during an interview with YouTuber Logan Paul on Thursday. Trump described the technology as a “superpower” that has the ability to write “beautifully,” but also expressed concerns about its alarming capabilities. These comments shed light on the 78-year-old presidential candidate’s perspective on the rapidly advancing field of AI, which has raised concerns among 49% of Americans.
During the podcast ‘Impaulsive,’ Trump revealed his fears regarding deepfake videos and their potential to increase the risk of nuclear war. He recounted an experience where he saw a deepfake video of himself endorsing a product, which was so convincing that he questioned its authenticity. This incident led him to worry about the potential harm that deepfakes could cause. Trump envisioned a scenario where a deepfake video of the President of the United States announcing a nuclear attack could prompt a rival leader to initiate a retaliatory strike. Seeking clarification, Trump reportedly consulted Elon Musk on whether there would be any way for the hypothetical leader to determine the video’s authenticity. Musk’s response, according to sources, was a definitive “there is no way.”
The concern over misinformation escalating the risk of nuclear conflict is not entirely hypothetical. In September 1983, during the height of the Cold War, a Soviet early warning system falsely detected incoming missiles, almost leading to a catastrophic response.
While Trump’s comments provide insight into his thoughts on AI, it is important to note that these concerns are shared by a significant portion of the American population. The rapid advancement of AI technology has raised questions about its potential misuse and the need for safeguards to prevent the spread of misinformation.