Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact on Society
From self-driving cars to SIRI, artificial intelligence has experienced dramatic and unprecedented growth globally and is being integrated into virtually all aspects of human life (Bushardt, 2018, p. 9). Artificial intelligence, also referred to as AI, encompasses elements such as internet search algorithms, IBM’S Watson and autonomous fighting equipment. In the contemporary world, AI is not only used to perform small tasks such as internet searches or facial recognition (Weak AI) but also extreme procedures such as medical surgeries (Strong AI). Artificial intelligence is also used in fraud detection/security, performing dangerous duties and improving productivity. However, they may lead to morality issues, the decline in human thinking abilities and increased human unemployment rates. Moreover, AI may increase devastating security issues. Therefore, while there are several benefits of AI, it is evident that the increasing use of AI in technology will change our societies for the worse.
The Risk of Insecurity and Threats
The growing utilisation of artificial intelligence heightens the risk of insecurity especially when programmed to do something devastating (Bushardt, 2018). Approximately 30 countries have developed and armed and autonomous drones (UN DESA, 2017). According to the findings by US and UK experts, artificial intelligence poses a range of threats not only to cyber-security but also political and physical security (Arizona State University, 2017, p. 47). With increased production of AL’s, it is expected that there will be an increase in attacks that exploit human vulnerabilities such as utilisation of speech for impersonation, automated phishing, data poisoning and hacking (Bushardt, 2018, p. 10). No doubt, there are signs of AI-driven arms race as researchers and governments have increasingly used machine-learning models to anticipate attacks better. (UN DESA, 2017) Persons with ulterior motives, such as hackers, may decide to deploy autonomous weapons systems. The use of AI in surveillance, persuasion, and deception may increase threats associated with social manipulation and privacy invasion. Nevertheless, when used well, robotics can effectively help in guarding national security (UN DESA, 2017). However, one of the common issues is spear phishing, where individuals use digital messages to trick persons into sharing sensitive data or installing malware (Bushardt, 2018, p. 11). Moreover, autonomous weapons cannot only select but also engage targets without human intervention. For such reasons, over 50 organizations have called for a consensus on banning autonomous weapons to minimize chances of security attacks (Arizona State University, 2017).
The Ethical and Moral Challenges
Also, as we advance towards strong artificial intelligence (AI) applications require to be imbued with moral decision making (Arizona State University, 2017). However, application of strong artificial intelligence is a possible threat to societal ethical and moral value and an imminent attack to accountability because teaching ethics to the machine is a challenging task because human beings cannot convey morality in a manner that makes it easy for computers to process (UN DESA, 2017). In most cases, human beings may rely on gut feelings as opposed to a cost-benefit calculation. On the other hand, AI relies on objective metrics that are optimized and measured (Bushardt, 2018, p. 9). In reality, optimization is a complicated situation. Thus it is a hard task to teach a machine how to maximize fairness or overcome gender or racial biases algorithmically (Bushardt, 2018, p. 9). Also, fairness is influenced by factors such as reward, aversion and conscious experience, which is shared by all animals. Being fair, and by extension observing ethics, is a basis for accountability (World Economic Forum, 2016). Then, who should be accountable for wrongdoings of a Robot? Should they be legally culpable if they transgress societal standards? While neuroscientists are still working with engineers to perfect the field of Robotics, AI’s are relatively superficial thus raising many ethical and moral issues.
The Impact on Employment
Another major transformation that is an outcome of both weak and strong artificial intelligence is the displacement of human workers thus leading to unemployment. Increasingly, many tasks are being automated. Globally, robot imports rose from 100, 000 in the year 2000 to approximately 250,000 in 2015 (UN DESA, 2017). With the rapid advancement in technology, computers are increasingly encroaching on domains that were initially regarded as exclusively for human (World Economic Forum, 2016). Robotic systems and computers can perform tasks such as composing music, medical surgeries, and architecture. Each new day, functionalities are being fed into robotics, and apparently, the computer is performing tasks more efficiently than human beings (Mesko, 2017, p. 239). However, according to the United Nations (2017) by 2050 human-beings population will be approximately 9.8 billion out of which 6 billion will be of working age. Currently, nearly 71 million young people are struggling to find employment (UN DESA, 2017). Therefore, while the robotics may not be adaptable or versatile, automating tasks will adversely affect livelihoods and job opportunities for many individuals in the society. Low-income countries are more vulnerable unless they implement clear policies that focus on the potential and risks of the new technologies. Therefore, the earlier we rethink and re-design our labor market policies, the more comfortable we will adjust to the future that is already happening and ensures equality in job distribution.
The Decline in Human Thinking
Moreover, the increased use of artificial intelligence will lead to a decline in human thinking. As technology has played a critical role in our lives, our abilities of analysis and critical thinking have consistently declined (Mesko, 2017, p. 240). With increasing use of robotics and artificial intelligence, there is a higher chance that human thinking abilities will diminish. Naturally, a human has high mental capacities and multitasking skills (World Economic Forum, 2016). However, studies show that constant interaction with technology is changing our brain influencing our memory, and physical orientation. Our tablets and mobile phones are increasingly being used as systems for the storage of information taking away the obligation of using our minds to retain information. Instead of memorizing, we ask virtual assistants such as SIRI to store the data for us. Consistently, people become over-reliant to GPS in designing routes before leaving home (Arizona State University, 2017). Doing so causes the brain matter dedicated to navigation and orientation reduce their activities. According to the World Economic Forum (2016), the most sought-after employee skills were in coordination with others, comprehending complex problems and managing teams. However, with the development of Artificial intelligence progress, employers’ demands changes and companies will give more priority to creativity and critical thinking.
Promoting Inequality
Additionally, the primary challenge of artificial intelligence is promoting equality, especially in the distribution of resources. The world’s economic system is assessed based on the contribution and effort of every person (Venkatachalam, 2017). People get paid for the work they have done. Most companies rely on hourly work by their employees. However, when we employ more Artificial intelligence (AI), individuals owning the robots will make all the money. Consequently, there will be an increased wealth gap. Therefore, establishing a post-labor economy due to AI will result in unfair economic practices that may lead to conflicts and increased poverty thus transforming the society into the worst (Arizona State University, 2017).
AI's Impact on Businesses and Daily Lives
On the other hand, artificial intelligence has a significant impact on businesses as well as people’s daily lives. There are various computed methods for learning, automated reasoning, and perception which continues to be a typical daily lives phenomenon. Cybersecurity remains a serious concern for every company. According to Venkatachalam (2017), the cybersecurity breaches totaled around 707 million in the year 2015 worldwide. The artificial intelligence-enabled automation capabilities and self-learning which increases efficiency while reducing costs, keeping people safer from terrorism or identity thefts. The already available AI-based solutions can be more proactive and efficiently pre-empt attacks while at the pre-execution state through identification of particular patterns and anomalies linked with malicious content. Companies such as secure works utilize the AI predictive capabilities for advanced detection of threats on a global scale (Venkatachalam, 2017). Furthermore, artificial intelligence (AI) is widely employed in the banking and financial institutions to organize as well as data management. Also, artificial intelligence is used in a smart card-based system for fraud detection.
Additionally, AI is used in the medical field through the use of algorithms which assists the doctors in assessing patients as well as risks to their health. It also aids in the identification of the side effects of various medicines (Venkatachalam, 2017). Furthermore, surgery simulators utilize machine intelligence in professional’s training and may be used in brain functioning simulation hence suitable for the analysis as well as treating neurological complications. Moreover, artificial intelligence is managing the promotion and application of precise medicine which is concerned with disease treatment and prevention which takes into account each person’s lifestyle, their environment, and individuals' gene’s variability. For instance, Atomise launched a virtual search for existing medicines that are safe which could be redesigned for the treatment of the Ebola virus, an analysis completed in less than a day which otherwise would have taken months or even years (Mesko, 2017, p. 240). However, AI possesses significant limitations in healthcare since projecting as well as precedence meditates predictions in machine learning cases, but algorithms may be underachieving in cases of resistance of drugs with no existing instance to use.
Convenience and Efficiency in Daily Lives
Moreover, artificial intelligence brings along a lot of life’s conveniences. Machines can work as long as it’s necessary as they do not need to sleep or breaks like humans and can continue functioning without stopping. Robots are programmed to operate for extended hours hence can perform repetitively the same task without tiring or boredom or even getting detracted. They do not require being paid thus reducing the costs, increasing productivity and ultimately improving the economy. Machines act faster than humans; therefore, multitasking is easy through adjustments of their parameters with speed and time calculated by the parameters, unlike humans. Also, AI has significantly made people’s lives easier through applications such as the GPS system which guides humans to their desired destinations. It is also used in smartphones, for instance, autocorrection of spelling errors. Apple’s Siri and Microsoft’s Cortana are also examples of weak AI created to perform a task that is associated with human abilities.
Conclusion
Artificial intelligence is a technology with the ability to change the world for the better or to the worse. The main challenges with AI include replacing humans with machines thus creating unemployment, reduced human lateral thinking abilities, increased repair and maintenance costs, as well as inequalities in wealth distribution. However, artificial intelligence has the potential of changing the world for the better through increased better security especially cybersecurity, fraud detection, treatment, and prevention of diseases in medicine, and daily life conveniences such as the use of applications in smartphones and GPS systems for directions. Even though AI presents various benefits to the world, the growing use of artificial intelligence in technology has the potential of transforming societies for the worse.
References
Arizona State University. (2017). The new dogs of war: the future of weaponised artificial intelligence. Arizona: Arizona State University.
Bushardt, R. (2018). Artificial intelligence and the dreaded 's. Journal of the American Academy of PAs, vol 31, no. 13, pp. 9-10.
Mesko, B. (2017). The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Precision Medicine. Expert Review of Precision Medicine and Drugs Development, 2(5), 239-241.
UN DESA. (2017). Will robots and AI cause mass unemployment? Not necessarily, but they do bring other threats. Retrieved 2018, from United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs: https://www.un.org/development/desa/en/news/policy/will-robots-and-ai-cause-mass-unemployment-not-necessarily-but-they-do-bring-other-threats.html
Venkatachalam, S. (2017). Three ways Artificial Intelligence will change the world for the better. Retrieved 2018, from World Economic Forum: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/05/artificial-intelligence-will-change-the-world-heres-how/
World Economic Forum. (2016). The future of jobs. World Economic Forum.
