Risks and Dangers of Artificial Intelligence To Know
Written by
Netizens
The voices expressing concern about the possible risks of artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly numerous and sophisticated.
According to Stephen Hawking, the emergence of artificial intelligence “may mean the end of the human race.”
This idea is shared by others besides well-known theoretical physicists.
Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla and SpaceX, once declared at the SXSW technology conference that “[AI] scares the crap out of me.” It has far more potential than nearly everyone is aware of, and its rate of development is exponential.
Unease is rampant in many areas, including the growing automation of certain jobs, racially and gender biassed algorithms, and autonomous weapons that operate without human supervision. Additionally, AI is still in its very early phases and we cannot be really sure of what it is capable of.
4 Dangers And Risks of AI We Need To Know
It’s crucial to understand AI’s possible drawbacks since there are concerns about who is creating AI and why. We examine potential risks associated with artificial intelligence and risk management strategies in more detail below.
IS THERE A THREAT FROM ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE?
The risks posed by artificial intelligence have long been a topic of discussion in the computer industry. Some of the major risks posed by AI have been identified as the automation of jobs, the proliferation of false information, and a deadly arms race in AI-powered weapons.
1) JOB LOSSES DUE TO AI AUTOMATION
AI-powered job automation is a major concern across several industries, including marketing, manufacturing, and healthcare. It is expected that around 85 million jobs will be lost to automation between 2020 and 2025, with Black and Latino employees being particularly vulnerable. According to futurist Martin Ford, the creation of low-wage service sector jobs has helped maintain a low unemployment rate. However, this trend is not expected to continue as AI robots become more capable of completing tasks that previously required human workers. While it’s true that AI will create around 97 million new jobs by 2025, many employees may not have the necessary skills to secure these technical roles, potentially leaving them behind in the job market. Ford questions whether individuals with jobs like flipping burgers at McDonald’s will have the necessary education or training to obtain new jobs created by AI, which may require intrinsic talents like interpersonal skills or creativity that computers are not yet good at.
2) SOCIAL MANIPULATION THROUGH AI ALGORITHMS
In 2018, a report highlighted social manipulation as one of the major risks of AI. Unfortunately, this concern has turned into a reality as politicians, such as Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., have used social media platforms like TikTok to sway the opinions of young voters. TikTok utilizes an AI algorithm that fills a user’s feed with content based on their past engagement, and critics have questioned the app’s inability to filter out harmful or inaccurate information, raising concerns about its ability to protect its users.
The rise of deep fakes has further complicated the issue of online media and news. With technology making it easy to manipulate images and videos, it has become easier for malicious actors to spread misinformation and propaganda. This has led to a situation where it is increasingly difficult to distinguish between reliable and false news. As a result, it has become challenging to trust even the most reliable evidence, leading to a significant issue.
3) SOCIAL SURVEILLANCE WITH AI TECHNOLOGY
In addition to its more existential threat, Ford is not only concerned about the existential threat posed by AI, but also about how it can negatively impact privacy and security. China’s use of facial recognition technology in various settings is a prominent example of this issue. Not only does it allow for tracking a person’s movements, but it also enables the gathering of extensive data that can be used to monitor a person’s activities, relationships, and political views.
The adoption of predictive policing algorithms by US police departments is another example. These algorithms tend to be influenced by arrest rates, which disproportionately impact Black communities. As a result, police departments tend to focus more on these communities, leading to over-policing and raising concerns about the use of AI as an authoritarian weapon, even in self-proclaimed democracies.
According to Ford, authoritarian regimes are already using AI, and the question is to what extent it will penetrate Western countries and democracies, and what measures will be taken to regulate its use.
4) BIASES DUE TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
AI bias takes many different forms and can have harmful effects. Olga Russakovsky, a computer science professor at Princeton, has pointed out that AI bias extends beyond just gender and race. In addition to data and algorithmic bias, which can magnify each other, AI is developed by people who inevitably bring their own biases into the process.
The creators of AI are typically male, from certain racial demographics, and come from high socioeconomic backgrounds, often without disabilities. This lack of diversity can make it challenging for AI researchers to consider a broad range of world issues.
This limited perspective may help explain why speech-recognition AI struggles with understanding certain accents and dialects, or why companies may overlook the implications of using chatbots to impersonate infamous historical figures. Developers and businesses should be more conscientious to avoid perpetuating powerful biases and prejudices that put minority populations at risk.
Conclusion
AI still has numerous benefits, like organizing health data and powering self-driving cars. To get the most out of this promising technology, though, some argue that plenty of regulation is necessary.
WAYS TO MITIGATE RISKS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
- Develop national and international regulations.
- Create organizational standards for applying AI.
- Make AI a part of company culture and discussions.
- Inform tech with humanities perspectives.
The key then is deciding how to apply AI in an ethical manner. On a company level, there are many steps businesses can take when integrating AI into their operations. Organizations can develop processes for monitoring algorithms, compiling high-quality data, and explaining the findings of AI algorithms. Leaders could even make AI a part of their company culture, establishing standards to determine acceptable AI technologies.
Balancing high-tech innovation with human-centered thinking is an ideal method for producing responsible technology and ensuring the future of AI remains hopeful for the next generation. The dangers of artificial intelligence should always be a topic of discussion, so leaders can figure out ways to wield the technology for noble purposes.
“I think we can talk about all these risks, and they’re very real,” Ford said. “But AI is also going to be the most important tool in our toolbox for solving the biggest challenges we face.”
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