Commentary: Societal Reactions to Hopes and Threats of Autonomous Agent Actions: Reflections about Public Opinion and Technology Implementations

Abstract

In the paper Avoiding Adverse Autonomous Agent Actions , Hancock (2021) sketches the technolo-gical development of automomous agents leading to a point in the (near) future, where machines become truly independent agents. He further elaborates that this development comes with both great promises, but also serious, even existential threats. Hancock concludes with highlighting the importance to prepare against problematic actions that autonomous agents might enact and suggests measures for humanity to take. and when intelligence will exceed human intelligence. Instead, I will reflect on the societal challenges outlined in Hancock’s article. More specifically, I will address the role of public opinion as a factor in the implementation of autonomous agents into society. Thereby, public perception potential strengths and opportunites may lead to exaggerated expectations, while public perception of potential weaknesses and threats may lead to overexceeded