AI is integrating into our daily lives with limitless potential to change the world for better but there are some ethical concerns that must be addressed first!
Introduction
Just a decade ago, Artificial Intelligence seemed like a fad that would either be soon gone or take over the world and execute a Terminator-like scenario where humanity will be enslaved. Gladly, neither of them happened and AI showcased its immense potential to better our lives in various aspects. It made advancements in automation possible and allowed to transform the landscape of businesses altogether. It made the processing of big data possible by bearing the fruit of Machine Learning, a subset of AI where computers/machines learn by processing a large amount of data.
AI is both, improving and disrupting human lives on various levels which is why its ethical implications are a big question mark. In the right hands, it could be our saviour, but in the wrong hands, it could be our demise.
But let’s start slow and focus on the “good” instead of the “bad” for now. More importantly, let’s start with what is AI in the first place?
What is AI in a nutshell?
In a nutshell, AI is the use of machines and technology to imitate human intelligence. In other words, we are empowering computer programs or machines to think, learn, and understand as humans do. It is an umbrella term that encompasses two other technologies that are used to achieve artificial intelligence:
- Machine Learning – Machine learning is when an AI or a computer program is designed to learn by itself via analyzing new sets of data
- Deep Learning – An advanced development of Machine Learning that uses neural networks, mimicking the function of the brain to learn and form connections between sets of data
So yes, AI is just a computer program that by extension, can operate machines and software that can have a ton of real-life implications, but more on that later.
Why it is Becoming so Important in Business?
Whether it is marketing, banking, finance, healthcare, autonomous vehicles, or even space exploration, the applications of AI are limitless. It has revolutionized the way businesses operate by helping them save time and financial resources with automation as well as optimization of repeated tasks and processes. This in turn increases operational efficiency and results and better productivity. Businesses that employ AI can make faster and data-driven decisions with limited to no possible errors such as humans are prone to making.
Furthermore, AI is improving customer experiences, the biggest example of which can be seen in online shopping today. You are presented with a customized shopping experience and your preferences are remembered to provide you with products/services you are more likely to purchase or pay for.
AI is helping businesses grow their customer base by mining large amounts of data for them, a feat impossible for humans. This allows businesses to generate better convertible leads for their businesses that ultimately grow their business, provides them with better sales opportunities, and help increase their business revenue. In short, the expertise, advice, and support offered by AI allow businesses to grow their expertise without having to spend on any external resources.
Companies, whether big or SMEs are already employing AI for improving business efficiency by making smart and informed decisions that help them bypass competition seamlessly.
Implications of AI in Our Daily Life
Have a look around and you will find AI implemented in more places than you could imagine. In fact, start with your pocket! Take out your phone and unlock your phone with your face ID. Then head over to the social media platform of your choice; see that personalized feed on your screen? Also AI.
From searching for an answer on a search engine to thousands of highly complex financial transactions taking place online every second, it is all powered by AI that ensures a check and balance and manages the affairs behind the scenes like a real unsung hero. Many other implications of AI include the following:
- Healthcare monitoring and personalization
- Search and rescue in case of disasters
- Recruitment
- Music and image composition
- Helping pilots in commercial flights
- Helping in the agriculture and farming sector
- Automation of manufacturing and production plants
The list can go on and on. Many of us are unaware, but the implications of AI are already present around us 24/7. Perhaps we should discard the prejudice that movies have instilled in our minds and see the bright side of having AI as a part of our daily lives.
What Should We Ask Ourselves When Promoting/Using AI?
It’s a matter of perspective basically. Are you implementing AI in your business or are you a developer implementing AI in a program you are developing? Nonetheless, some basic questions include,
- What is the motive for its promotion/use?
- Is it aligned with our best interest?
- Are the social, economic, and technological implementations of it understood?
- What ultimate good will it bring? Will that be fair for everyone?
- What are our personal biases, if any?
- What are the moral and ethical implications of promoting/using AI?
- Is the AI inclusively designed?
- What will be the effects of the commercialization of AI?
Are we OK with a Machine Taking Decisions on Our Behalf?
This is perhaps the ultimate dilemma. Think of AI as a highly intelligent infant; intelligent yes, but infant nonetheless. It will learn everything, the good, the bad, and the ugly as well. According to companies like DataRobot, it becomes a matter of making the AI humbler and flexible in its approach. DataRobot has designed an algorithm that if is unsure of the outcomes of an event that may land outside expectations, it will get a human involved for contextual knowledge.
Moreover, it is a matter of flaws that may be present in the system that could possibly be exploited. This is what we saw in the case of Tay, an AI Chabot developed by Microsoft to interact with Twitter users. Some users discovered a flaw in Tay’s algorithm and within a period of 24 hours, turned it highly racist. It was shortly taken down after that.
Whether we are comfortable with AI taking decisions on our behalf or not is still receiving fragmented opinions. But perhaps we are far from having it dictate our lives for our own good.
Conclusion
We are headed towards a future where AI will likely run at the core of all technologies. It doesn’t fundamentally imply we are headed towards a utopian future, but it most certainly doesn’t imply we are headed towards a dystopian future either. AI has shown enormous potential to serve society and help design a better future for humanity. It could radically improve our future and help us solve the biggest problems we the world has seen to date. Whether we will make the best of it or not, only time will tell.
Image credits: Unsplash, Pixabay, Pixabay, Unsplash, Pixabay
