I grew up mesmerized by films like Terminator and Matrix, where artificial intelligence rose to unimaginable heights, often leading to dystopian futures. The horrors of unrestrained AI development portrayed in these films are, unnervingly, not entirely unachievable in our current technological reality. This is why today, I speak out for a global ban on the usage of AI until an exhaustive review can be conducted by an ethics committee.

AI has the potential to transform our world in unprecedented ways, its applications span across many domains - from healthcare to transportation. However, rampant misuse and malignant intent pose significant risks. According to Stanford University's 2020 AI Index, AI and ML patent applications increased globally by more than 200% in recent years (AI Index Report, 2020). While this demonstrates advancements, it also underscores the imperative need for regulation and oversight.

Without proper scrutiny, biases, already evident in some AI programs, could be inadvertently amplified leading to systemic problems in crucial decision-making processes. Amnesty International has noted that these biases can compound societal inequalities or cause unfair treatment, including discrimination (Amnesty International Report, 2019).

With the gravity of these potential hazards, a moment of pause is needed to ensure we conduct a thorough investigation. Therefore, I urge all to affirm this message. Make the future safer for generations to come. We should demand a worldwide embargo on AI usage until a global ethics committee can objectively evaluate the system. This push for a 'cooling-off' period would provide us the opportunity to ensure that when AI is fully integrated into our lifestyle, it adheres to the principles of transparency, fairness, and humanity.

Please join me in this crucial initiative and sign this petition.