The Potential Threat of Artificial Intelligence Research Paper

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The Potential Threat of Artificial Intelligence
In the modern world, digital life is augmenting human capabilities and disrupting some of the traditional activities. The emergence of code-driven systems has changed the way people interact and perform activities. From Siri to self-driving cars, artificial intelligence (AI) has been advancing over the years. A majority of the sci-fi films often display AI robots equipped with human-like capabilities, which does not offer a complete picture of what AI entails. Indeed, AI can include anything from a search algorithm to autonomous weapons. As AI evolves, questions have emerged on whether it is the best or worst thing that has ever happened to humankind. Some people have indicated that AI threatens human life and hence should be discouraged. However, AI is not a potential threat to human-like and should hence be embraced.
I. AI does not threaten the world
Technological innovation has taken over the world and continues to define every aspect of human life. Over the years, technology has revolutionized the world and the way people live. It has brought amazing tools and resources that have made life easier. Through modern technology, has led to the emergence of multi-functional devices that are faster, more portable, and high-powered (Marr). Technology has defined the way people meet one another, shop, engage in entertainment, and communicate. Technology has taken over our lives even for tasks that seem basic. For instance, before the advancement of the Internet, one had to search through a dictionary to get the meaning of words. However, today most people use a dictionary app or search for the meaning of words on the Internet. The emergence of search engines like Google and Bing has made it possible to search for practically anything on the Internet. It is undeniable that technology will continue to revolutionize lives as more people embrace it. It is unbelievable how technology has become part of human life. In the future, human beings will be more dependent on technology. Future technologies will transform lives in unbelievable ways.
The notion that AI, as a branch of computer science, is likely to take over the world is unlikely. The view on if AI will take over the world depends on whether people consider it able to create intelligent behavior that can surpass human intelligence. Artificial Intelligence is not a threat to human beings because it is created by human beings. The intelligence in machines is input by human beings. The learning process of machines is guided by humans. The existence of AI is meant to solve particular problems (Tse and Esposito). For instance, driverless care solves the issue of transport, while a search algorithm enables people to search for information on the Internet. This demonstrates that AI exists to address a particular problem. People create AI to address the challenges they face in particular areas. Hence, it is not possible that AI will get out of control and dominate human beings. The notion that this is likely to happen exists in sci-fi films that show robotics that has taken over the world. However, this is unlikely and human beings will remain in control of what they have created. Hence, no matter the development of AI, humans have the ultimate control.
II. Why is AI considered a potential threat to human beings?
Humans do not understand what AI entails and hence fear that it is a threat to their species. Human beings are driven by fear, and it guides their actions. Fear is not necessarily bad when it is driven to the correct things. However, when fear is channeled towards the wrong things, it can be problematic. Fear is often blamed for racism and other forms of discrimination (Marr). Since many people do not yet understand AI, they have often resulted in the fear of the unknown. The advancement in technologies seems to be surrounded by mysteries. Some technological advancements in AI appear as unrealistic, hence supposing the expectations of individuals. The fear of what the future of AI holds has driven some individuals and organizations to claim that it threatens human life. In most cases, such claims are not based on solid scientific evidence. The inability to understand what AI will be in the future has created the fear that it could be harmful. Instead of focusing on the positive impacts of AI, such individuals and organizations have created the fear that AI threatens the existence of human beings.
Some notable individuals who have claimed AI is a threat to humans include Stephen Hawking and Elon Musk. Stephen Hawking has observed that “The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race” (Kohli) Hawking is concerned that when machines attain full AI, they could in turn work against humans. At the same time, Elon Musk has claimed that AI remains humanity’s “biggest existential threat” (Kohli). Musk sees the advancement of AI as having the potential to harm humans that do good. Such skeptics have to an extent influenced public opinion on AI. Since the two individuals are influential in their fields, they have created a wrong notion of AI among their followers. The availability of different explanations put forwards by influential people and organizations claiming that AI is a threat has shifted public opinion against AI. It has created the narrative that scientists should not work on something that is going to end humanity. Scientists developing AI have sometimes encountered criticism for developing what appears to threaten the very same humans they claim to assist.
Some individuals fear that technology is going to cause the loss of jobs. The fear is major as a result of an understanding of what AI entails. Hisham Qaddoumi, the founder and consultant at QWS Technologies appeared on TED in May 2019 to demystify the issue of AI and loss of jobs. Qaddoumi started by demonstrating that many people are using AI but they are not aware they are doing it. The author asked the audience the last time they went to the library to research something. None of the members in the audience has visited the library since they could access information online, for example, using Google Scholar. As people search for information, Google uses AI to meet the information needs of the users. The speaker demonstrated that AI is already dictating day-to-day life, although many people are not aware of it. Qaddoumi demonstrates that AI does not replace jobs, instead, it replaces tasks (Ted Talk). While multiple AI may replace a job, there are other sets of jobs created, especially non-technical ones. For instance, when companies need to test their AI tools, they employ people to determine the suitability of the technology. These are jobs that AI creates, that would otherwise not have been there.
Due to the advancement in AI, some jobs will be lost while many will be created. There is no doubt that a majority of the paper-pushing days are over and replaced with electronic-based communication and other personalized processes. As time goes on, customer experience will become more front in the AI-driven ecosystem. As some traditional positions disappear, new posts will open up that require a new set of skills (Tracy). For instance, workers who bridge the gap between customer service, business, and analytics will become critical and in high demand. Workers will become smarter because of relying on AI. Organizations will hence benefit from the fresh and creative ideas from such workers. Hence, AI will not replace most of the jobs rather it will reskill them (Ash). Consequently, the machine will not manage to take over jobs. Instated, AI will make them wonderful and enjoyable.
Some individuals are techno-phobic and will oppose any ad...