2024: A Transformative Year for AI
The year 2024 was a significant period for artificial intelligence, characterized by remarkable innovations and formidable challenges. With an estimated global AI market value of $500 billion, it gave rise to numerous tools, apps, and companies that revolutionized industries and our daily lives. However, these technological wonders were accompanied by waves of controversy, sparking debates on ethics, societal impact, and accountability in AI development.
Top 9 AI Controversies of 2024
From high – profile legal battles and corporate scandals to the moral conundrums of deepfakes and errors in AI decision – making, here are the top AI – related controversies of 2024, presented in chronological order:
OpenAI vs Elon Musk (March 2024)
Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Sam Altman co – founded OpenAI as a non – profit in 2015 with the goal of advancing AI for the greater good. But Musk’s departure in 2018 marked the start of a contentious relationship. In March 2024, Musk escalated the feud by suing OpenAI, alleging misuse of Tesla’s proprietary data in autonomous driving models. This rivalry is not just about technology but also reflects personal tensions. It highlights broader issues in AI governance, competition, and ethical development.
Grok AI Falsely Accuses NBA Star of Vandalism Spree (April 2024)
In April 2024, Grok AI, a surveillance tool, wrongly accused NBA star Klay Thompson of a vandalism spree. The AI misinterpreted the basketball slang “shooting bricks” as actual brick – throwing vandalism. The baseless report spread on social media, causing confusion and hilarity. This incident brought to light the issues with how AI systems understand the nuances and context of human language, leading to calls for stronger regulatory standards.
OpenAI vs Scarlett Johansson (May 2024)
Scarlett Johansson sued OpenAI in May 2024 after learning that her voice was used without permission in an AI – generated viral video advertisement. The lawsuit raised legal and ethical questions about deepfake technology and the use of celebrities’ likenesses without consent. It led OpenAI to announce plans to revise its dataset policies.
Google’s AI Overview Controversy (May 2024)
Google faced major backlash in May 2024 over its new AI – generated feature, AI Overviews. The feature provided absurd and misleading information on various topics, such as historical misrepresentation, absurd recommendations, and dangerous advice. Google acknowledged the problems and announced plans for reviews and upgrades.
McDonald’s Ends IBM Drive – Thru Voice Order Test (June 2024)
In June 2024, McDonald’s cancelled its test of IBM’s AI – powered voice order system due to accuracy and customer satisfaction issues. The test faced problems like order misinterpretation and negative impacts on the customer experience, raising questions about AI’s readiness for mass adoption in customer service.
DoNotPay “Robot Lawyer” Controversy (June 2024)
The legal AI platform DoNotPay faced scrutiny in June 2024 when the Federal Trade Commission claimed it was engaged in unauthorized law practice and made misleading claims. The company agreed to pay a fine and make changes, sparking a debate on the use of AI in the legal domain.
Ilya Sutskever Launches Safe Superintelligence Inc (SSI) (June 2024)
OpenAI co – founder Ilya Sutskever launched Safe Superintelligence Inc. in June 2024, aiming to prioritize ethical frameworks for AI development. While supporters welcomed the move, critics questioned its motives, seeing it as a response to OpenAI’s controversies.
Clearview AI Controversy (September 2024)
Clearview AI faced renewed outrage in September 2024 for scraping the data of unsuspecting individuals to expand its facial recognition database. The company has faced fines, bans, and lawsuits, highlighting the need for comprehensive legislation to protect biometric data.
Amazon’s AI Recruiting Tool Bias (Ongoing)
Amazon’s AI recruiting tool has been criticized for gender and race bias in hiring. The tool was trained on biased data, resulting in unfair treatment of female and minority candidates. Although Amazon abandoned the tool, the controversy underscores the importance of fairness in AI – driven decision – making.
As we move into 2025, the AI controversies of 2024 serve as a crucial lesson for the AI community. They emphasize the need for more ethical, transparent, and accountable AI development, presenting both challenges and opportunities for a more responsible AI – driven future.
