Ever since the human species discovered how to light a fire around 1.5 million years ago, there has been a stream of constant new achievements and inventions that have made life for modern man what it is today. From the invention of letterpress printing (1455) over the invention of electricity (1600) and the first automobile (1886) to the first smartphone (2007), which is used by about 4.7 billion people on the globe. With the last invention, it was possible to carry world history, the big scientific processes, and basically the answer to every question that you ever had in the pocket of your jeans.
Since most people can access this wide range of unlimited knowledge whenever and wherever they want, it is impossible to imagine life without it. It is a true milestone in the history of human inventions, and in the last few years, another topic has increasingly attracted attention from society: artificial intelligence.
But what can you even imagine under the term “artificial intelligence”? It refers to machines that can learn, solve problems, and make decisions on their own without the intervention of a human being. These traits of a machine have never been there before in the history of inventions and make it seem like a whole new digital revolution. Since this topic is hot off the press right now, society is mainly divided into two parties right now. There are people who are absolutely enthusiastic about the aspects of our lives in which artificial intelligence already plays a role and are even more thrilled about the future potential it holds. The proponents want to expand the influence of this technology and see it as a chance to make our lives better and more efficient. On the other side, there are critics and people who are skeptical of this powerful tool and the impact it is going to have on our society and economy. They fear that it will become unpredictable and eventually be too big for us humans.
Of course, the two parties base their convictions on different arguments and facts. A big apprehension of AI opponents is the loss of workplaces that comes with the increase in its usage.
According to studies by ChatGPT developers (ChatGPT is an online chatbot that is not only able to answer questions but also to analyze, create, and develop its own material), up to 300 million jobs could be threatened by AI. This is because the precise and accurate work of machines can not only be used in the production sector of factories but also in office jobs. Posts that are especially threatened are those by authors, web designers, analysts, journalists, translators, and accountants.
Another potential danger through artificial intelligence can be the uncontrolled creation of so-called “deep fakes.”. The new technology makes it possible to share information about people that is wrong and/or stolen. Already, AI-generated images and videos are circulating on the internet. This means that it is easy for many people to put words into your mouth that you have never said. Supposing that someone has a tiny recording of your voice, it is possible for the creator to let “you” say anything he or she wants you to say, all with the help of artificial intelligence. The same can be done with pictures or videos. This can be a serious issue, and when there is something on the internet, it is extremely hard to remove it from there, so you should always be careful what information you share about yourself and others.
Other than that, the thing that a lot of people are afraid of is that artificial intelligence develops self-awareness, gets “too smart” and eventually becomes uncontrollable for us humans. Although the developers of AI want to achieve a positive benefit from the technology, some critics are convinced that, in the end, it will be superior and the invention will turn against its own inventors. This dilemma gets discussed in the fields of ethics and philosophy. Already now, research teams have witnessed some machines that are solving problems on their own without the command of the developers. Therefore, the researchers themselves are not entirely sure how this is possible and how it can work. So, the question arises, what will happen in the future, and will it be possible that one day AI takes over the world?
All of these risks and dangers are related to the dark side of artificial intelligence. But if AI is not misused for bad purposes, it can actually mean hope and the first step into a brighter future for us humans. There is a possibility of solving actual threats, like the climate crisis, for example. Aerial photographs, for instance, get checked by algorithms to identify plastic trash in the world’s seas or to point out the state of coral reefs. The sea contributes a lot to the fight against climate change because it is able to generate oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. This is why it is highly significant to keep our seas clean from pollution and protect the submarine world.
Another sector in which innovative technology can be applied is in the health care field. One of the biggest strengths of artificial intelligence is the recognition of images. Already in our daily lives, AI can detect images and diagnose health issues in ophthalmology, cancer studies, dermatology, endoscopy, and many more sectors. With this effective method of diagnosis, many diseases can be recognized at an early stage and receive immediate treatment. There is even the possibility of not only preventing the development of serious diseases but also saving human lives.
Furthermore, an irrefutable argument for the usage of AI in production is the fact that it can prevent human errors since this technology does not make decisions based on emotions or will suffer from fallibility like us humans. Production robots do not have “bad days” and are not tired, angry, or distracted. These characteristics make them the perfect addition to manufacturing. Because we are humans, we will never be completely objective and impeccable. Using robots in production can prevent mistakes that happen during work and potential accidents that occur. Also, robots have a way faster reaction to action, and they can detect mistakes and disruptive factors. They are also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which contributes to a smooth work flow.
Moreover, something that is deeply embedded in mankind is the striving for more knowledge, the natural curiosity, and the desire to learn and understand. Especially nowadays, it is important for us to revolutionize the educational system, which is in need of adaptation due to the worldwide wave of digitalization. One way to help students around the world form their optimal bridge to education is to create personalized learning plans based on AI. Since every person has different strengths and weaknesses when it comes to subjects and study fields, it just makes sense to create customized plans in order to bring out the best in every student. With this, they can be even more promoted in their stronger subjects and receive special support and care in their weaker learning fields. This can be realized through online learning platforms where the students can work individually on their respective performance levels.
To conclude, the topic of “artificial intelligence,” with its risks and chances, will remain a controversial one in the coming years, and this is why it is good to stay up-to-date and inform yourself about both the chances and the risks of it. One thing we should not forget, though, is that the world is in a constant state of change, and sometimes we need to take some risks in order to achieve improvement. It is important to be aware of dangers and eliminate errors.
Sources:
https://www.scinexx.de/businessnews/eine-kleine-geschichte-des-feuers/
https://www.schwerd.info/trends/zehn-wichtigsten-erfindungen-der-menschheit/4993/
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https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/ChatGPT
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