Artificial Intelligence: A Threat Or Not?

January 17, 2021 / Source: The Bizz USA
By Janet Reddy; Edited by Pallavi Vemuri and Haarika Kalahasti

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is the intelligence demonstrated by machines. Unlike the natural intelligence displayed by humans and animals, which involves consciousness and emotionality, AI is an algorithmic pseudo-consciousness. This new technology is taking the world by storm and is only becoming more prominent by the day. Though we may not have realized, this technology is already a part of our lives. From smart assistants like Siri and Alexa, to manufacturing robots and even disease mapping (hello COVID-19), AI has been around for quite some time and the only thing that is evolving is the complexity of it. Even so, many speculate that it may not be as staggering as it sounds, so today we’ll be looking at the pros and cons of Artificial Intelligence.

Pros:

1. AI is able to complete routine tasks with ease. This is achieved by combining large amounts of data with fast, iterative processing and intelligent algorithms, allowing the software to learn automatically from patterns or features in the data. It is these algorithms that reduce room for error with each use, meaning that AI software has the ability to learn from its errors as time goes on. 
2. Since a machine does not get tired, it can work continuously without taking any breaks, making it much more efficient.
3. AI can help us to explore and extend the human experience by providing things that we have never seen before. A prime example of this is self-driving cars that have recently begun receiving popularity with sales that have been climbing per diem.
4.  A major function that AI would be able to carry out is making the right decisions in short spans of time. This makes the software very reliable, especially in risky situations because it is able to identify and assess all possible threats or solutions at great speeds. ​

Cons:

1. AI replaces human work, therefore could significantly reduce employment opportunities and could even lead to automation-spurred job loss.
2. Machines cannot think creatively or out of the box and will not be able to perform tasks that require these skills and can also lack improvement if not assessed and updated by humans.
3. In addition, concerns have also been raised about out-of-control AI. Although experts have assured the public that the risk of AI acting out of its expected function is close to none, one can not help but have this thought linger in the back of their mind. Next, it is quite expensive to implement and maintain due to obvious reasons. To add on, AI can also cause privacy violations. Software like Siri and Alexa generate responses by listening to our voices when activated but it can never be certain as to when they are listening or not. ​

All in all, Artificial intelligence will indefinitely be the way forward due to technological advancements and its demand. Nonetheless, it is up to one to decide for themselves if they can trust this highly intelligent software. So, do you think AI is a threat?


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