Saturday, August 26, 2023

Artificial intelligence - a promise of progress or a digital Pandora's box?

 Artificial intelligence (AI) is seen by many as the golden age of technology, offering solutions that a decade ago we could only dream of. Used in medicine, science, finance, or entertainment, it brings undoubted benefits. Nevertheless, like any revolution, it carries risks, and in the case of AI, these risks can take various and extremely complex forms.

The first and most obvious is the previously mentioned unpredictable AI behavior. Imagine a robotic surgeon acting independently during an operation who, for unexplained reasons, makes decisions that are not expected. Or an autonomous car that accelerates instead of braking in an emergency.

Professions irreplaceable by machines, which seemed certain only a few years ago, are now becoming more and more threatened. Examples? Translators, drivers, and customer service employees. These are just a few examples of areas where AI can "take the helm". Thus, societies around the world will have to face the challenge of growing unemployment and social dissatisfaction.

In addition to the issues listed above, it is also worth highlighting the risks associated with the processing of huge amounts of data by AI. These systems are able to analyze our behavior, preferences, and habits, creating accurate profiles of each of us. This, in turn, leads to privacy concerns and the possibility of manipulating people on an unprecedented scale.

And what if powerful AI systems fall into the hands of organizations or individuals with dubious intentions? They can be used for disinformation, influencing elections, and even for terrorist purposes.

Last but not least is the question of the very essence of humanity. Will artificial intelligence, as it evolves, be able to understand emotions, morality, or conscience? And if so, what implications will this have for us humans?

To sum up, artificial intelligence, although it brings many promising possibilities, requires much caution in its development and application. It is a challenge for scientists, policymakers, and society at large to find a balance between benefits and potential risks together. The subject must be approached with full awareness and responsibility to ensure that technology serves humanity and not the other way around.

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