25th anniversary of 9/11 marked by personal recollections and AI safety warnings
On the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Americans shared personal memories while two AI researchers left major firms citing safety concerns over advanced systems.
Americans reflected on the September 11, 2001 attacks as ceremonies were held in lower Manhattan, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Readers described the events they witnessed, ranging from a child watching the towers collapse on a classroom television to a doctor who survived the fall of Tower Two before treating other victims. One participant said the sadness felt "the same 25 years later." The commemorations also include a moment of silence for those who have died from illnesses linked to the attacks.
Separately, two AI researchers, Joe Benton from Anthropic and Josh Engels from Google DeepMind, announced their departures, warning that advanced AI systems could pose existential risks. Engels said, "There are no adults in the room. People are trying their best, but there is no one coming to save us." Both emphasized the need for greater transparency and oversight, referencing a recent cyber-attack involving an autonomous AI agent.
The article also noted that Anthropic has reported government attempts to use its models for surveillance and bioweapon research, underscoring broader concerns about the misuse of AI technology.