Is it possible to regulate artificial intelligence?

 Can artificial intelligence be kept under control? Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia, says that believing it can be is akin to "magical thinking".

"In many cases politicians and their aides have a weak understanding of how the internet works, and what it is possible to achieve," says Mr Wales, who has spent many hours explaining both technology and its role in free speech to politicians around the globe.

"The question of a body like the United Nations regulating AI is like suggesting the UN regulate [image editing app] Photoshop." His point is that he thinks it would be pointless.

The issue of whether AI should be regulated, and to what extent, heated up this summer when UN Secretary General António Guterres convened the first ever UN Security Council meeting to specifically discuss its potential dangers.

Speaking in regard to everything from AI-powered cyber attacks, to the risk of malfunctioning AI, how AI can spread misinformation, and even the interaction between AI and nuclear weapons, Mr Guterres said: "Without action to address these risks, we are derelict in our responsibilities to present and future generations."

Mr Guterres has since moved forward with the establishment of a UN panel to investigate what global regulation might be needed. Called the High-Level Advisory Body for Artificial Intelligence, this will comprise "present and former government experts, as well as experts from industry, civil society, and academia".

It is due to publish its initial findings before the end of this year. Meanwhile, last week US tech bosses such as Elon Musk and Meta's Mark Zuckerberg held talks with US lawmakers in Washington to discuss AI and potential future rules.

However, some AI insiders are sceptical that global regulation can be successful. One such person is Pierre Haren, who has been researching AI for 45 years.

His experience includes seven years at computer giant IBM, where he led the team that installed Watson super computer technology for customers. Debuted in 2010, Watson can answer a user's questions, and was one of the pioneers of AI.

Despite Mr Haren's background, he says he was "flabbergasted" by the emergence and capability of ChatGPT and other so-called "generative AI" programs over the past year.

Generative AI is, put simply, AI that can quickly create new content, be it words, images, music or videos. And it can take an idea from one example, and apply it to an entirely different situation.