Microsoft president: Orwell’s 1984 could happen in 2024

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Life as depicted in George Orwell’s 1984 “could come to pass in 2024” if lawmakers don’t protect the public against artificial intelligence, Microsoft’s president has warned.

Speaking to BBC’s Panorama, Brad Smith said it will be “difficult to catch up” with the rapidly advancing technology.

The programme explores China’s increasing use of AI to monitor its citizens.

Critics fear the state’s dominance in the area could threaten democracy.

“If we don’t enact the laws that will protect the public in the