As Artificial Intelligence advances beyond human capabilities, some fear the technologies may do more harm than good; computer scientists claim the concerns are unwarranted.

TOPSHOT – A robot using artificial intelligence is displayed at a stand during the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, on May 30, 2024. Humanity is in a race against time to harness the colossal emerging power of artificial intelligence for the good of all, while averting dire risks, a top UN official said. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

By Maliyah Simone, CRDN
Tuesday, August 27, 2024

When Artificial Intelligence (AI) began to emerge in the day-to-day lives of humans we didn’t pay it much mind. Computers, phones, GPS systems, and the expanse of the internet have grown so much over the past few decades that the concept of AI seemed to simply blur into the lines of our regular technological advancements. However, when tech giants and computer scientists began using the term Artificial Intelligence to describe a consciousness similar to that of humans, it seemed like the world began listening a bit more closely.

According to IBM, one of the leaders in AI development, Artificial Intelligence is “a type of technology that endows computer systems and technologies to simulate human intelligence and problem-solving capabilities increasingly autonomously.”

The vast uses of AI tools and technologies have added greatly to human capabilities, even improving processes that have previously taken people longer periods of time to complete; with AI implementation, these tasks have made for more efficient outcomes. While many see AI as a great tool that offers many benefits, others fear that the utilization of artificial intelligence in everyday life may cause issues that humans may never be able to come back from.

As AI develops technologically, computer scientists have now begun the feat of crafting AI to physically reflect the human likeness. AI robots have gone from truly looking like robots, with exposed circuits, screws, and all; to having overlaying “bio-skin” molded to fit the features of human faces and bodies. These robots are also endowed with the capabilities to emote properly, speak with inflection, and move with the fluidity of humans. These advancements in appearance alone have made many people uneasy.

Another concern is AI videos and images. The projects have become a viral trend for the younger generations. In fact, the term “deepfake” was coined in 2017 when AI technology was developed that could alter parts and fragments of images. These images often contained likenesses to celebrities and public figures, often promoting the maker’s products and services. This resulted in quite a few lawsuits filed by the subjects of the images and videos, against the creators and technologies used to make them.

The launch of Open AI’s ChatGPT in November of 2022 reigned in a new era for artificial intelligent technologies. The tool allows users not only to generate written content, answer questions, and conduct lightning-fast research but to also generate and create concepts and ideas out of thin air. With these tools, many fear that AI may develop capabilities that could potentially take human jobs. This concern is heightened by the development of self-service checkout counters, self-driving vehicles, AI word processors, and various other new technologies.

Complications with AI revolve around the risk of trusting a non-sentient machine to do a sentient being’s job. From the healthcare field to the service industry and beyond, people fear that AI has the potential to not only malfunction but to cause real issues with the processes humans have utilized and developed for years.

The decision to utilize and rely on these technologies is completely up to the human user; and, for those who see AI as a threat, tech professionals state that there is not enough data to support the concerns surrounding the technologies. However, as artificial intelligence continues to advance, computer scientists are taking measures to ensure the safe use of these tools.