ATM Rahat Hossain
Professor Vicars
English 110
AI: The Rise of the Machines
There’s an old fable in the scientific community that is as follows, a group of scientists finally finish their lifetime’s worth of work building the most advanced form of Artificial intelligence in the world and input that consciousness into a computer. The first question they asked the computer was “Is there a God?”. Suddenly a bolt of lightning cut off the power supply of the computer and it replied: “There is now”. This story symbolizes the fear of AI gaining full autonomy to the point it is able to defy the very people that created it. In the 1980s and 1990s, AI became more widely used in a variety of applications, such as robotics, speech recognition, and data analysis. In recent years, the field of AI has exploded, with new technologies and applications emerging on a regular basis. The development of deep learning algorithms, which are based on artificial neural networks, has led to breakthroughs in areas such as image recognition. In the 1990s Deep Blues computer was able to narrowly edge out a victory over the then reigning champion Garry Kasparov. Fast forward to today, Deep Mind’s neural network has not only been able to defeat the world champion in chess, but it has also defeated the highest-performing computers that don’t have neural networks in their frameworks. No matter the angle we analyze the situation it is unmistakable that the automation age is among us. However, with the advent of automation and artificial intelligence brings forth risks and rewards if assessed properly could bring forth a more prosperous society in the coming decades. However, if we are not able to properly manage the growth of artificial intelligence, it could possibly lead to the collapse of modern society. The rapid acceleration of AI and automation will significantly reshape and improve the future economy, society, and individuals’ lives, however, there must be careful consideration of its impacts and the implementation of responsible policies to maximize benefits while mitigating potential adverse consequences.
Automation has already been heavily integrated into the modern generation more so than many give credit for. The rapid acceleration of the development of AI has brought forth various advances in technology, health, the economy, and defense sectors. “Artificial intelligence technologies could increase global GDP by $15.7 trillion, a full 14%, by 2030.”[7] That includes advances of $7 trillion in China, $3.7 trillion in North America, $1.8 trillion in Northern Europe, $1.2 trillion for Africa and Oceania, $0.9 trillion in the rest of Asia outside of China, $0.7 trillion in Southern Europe, and $0.5 trillion in Latin America.” (Darrell M. West and John R. Allen 2019). Automation and Artificial intelligence will be able to eliminate repetitive day-to-day tasks and increase productivity within the broader economy as a whole. This is not the only area as the article also claims that advances will also be made in the finance sector. “According to observers in that sector, “Decisions about loans are now being made by software that can take into account a variety of finely parsed data about a borrower, rather than just a credit score and a background check.” In addition, there are so-called robo-advisers that “create personalized investment portfolios, obviating the need for stockbrokers and financial advisers.”(Darrell M. West and John R. Allen). If more complex and adaptable algorithms are created through the use of AI, people will be able to use these machines to better predict the stock market and gain as much value as possible. This would in turn generate more money into the economy as a whole. Artificial intelligence has made great strides in the Healthcare sector as AI has been better able to diagnose patients more precisely than their human counterparts. “AI systems can also be developed with, or learn, biases that will need to be identified and mitigated’. As with any human occupation, the room for error is a constant. People will always make mistakes and in high-risk professions, the possibility for error only increases with sample size. Therefore in high-risk jobs such as Doctors and Pilots, there’s always room for errors or malpractice. However, Artificial intelligence does not have that same problem at its core as it will not be privy to any human bias or error. Granted there is still a possibility that the AI itself can make mistakes but it is highly unlikely. As doctors and health leaders, we need to start preparing the profession to be supported by, partnered with, and, in the future, potentially be replaced by AI and advanced robotics systems.(Erwin Loh, May 2018). Not only will this potentially save the lives of millions but will also be doing so while cutting costs. Additionally, as of now artificial intelligence and advanced computers still need humans to guide and pilot their overall mechanism, and therefore Doctors will still be needed to check that these AI are functioning correctly. It will not automate jobs away from people but will more likely help their tasks become less repetitive. This is all to say people don’t necessarily have to compete with Artificial intelligence, but rather learn from the machines and use these tools to make their jobs easier. As mentioned before, AI-driven computers have long been able to defeat even the best grandmasters in the world. However, in chess modern grandmasters are using these high-level machines to create new opening theories to improve their accuracy in the game.
Artificial Intelligence (AI), will undeniably transform various aspects of society in the healthcare sector, finance, and defense. However, its rise is not without drawbacks. The most obvious drawback is that automation and artificial intelligence will automate away jobs from people. Those people will then be displaced and require assistance. The current state of AI is able to displace low-skilled menial laborers. According to ZippiaCareerExpert.com “Automation has the potential to eliminate 73 million US jobs by 2030, which would equate to a staggering 46% of the current jobs”.(Flynn, Jack Feb. 14, 2023). This projection is also combined with the projection that 20 million manufacturing jobs are also slated to be replaced by automation. Politician Andrew Yang has warned about the incoming threat of automation and used it to derive the Universal basic income policy. However, this solution overlooks the critical idea people derive purpose from their work. Therefore this would cause an uprise in general unhappiness in people. As automation will reduce the number of menial jobs, it puts into question how Artificial intelligence would impact income and inequality. As large corporations use machines to replace employees, they will see an increase in productivity and a decrease in cost. This asset would therefore increase profits while cutting costs making these corporations grow faster. In the midst of this gain in productivity, the average employee has now been replaced by a machine. Therefore there’s a direct correlation between the growth of large industries and the decline of the average worker. An MIT study has found that “Over the last four decades, the income gap between more- and less-educated workers has grown significantly; the study finds that automation accounts for more than half of that increase.” Economist Daron Acemoglu and Professor Pascual Restrepo, professor at Boston University, conducted a study to evaluate the impact automation had on the widening income and inequality gap. They studied “49 industries from 1987 to 2016, as well as data on machinery and software adopted in that time. The scholars also used data they had previously compiled about the adoption of robots in the U.S. from 1993 to 2014”.(Peter Dizikes, 2022) The results of the experiment are as follows “ an estimate that automation has reduced the wages of men without a high school degree by 8.8 percent and women without a high school degree by 2.3 percent, adjusted for inflation”. This study also took into account previous studies which also backed the idea that automation is widening the income and inequality gap. The rise and artificial intelligence can also lead to increased security risks and privacy violations. We can already see this happening in our modern society today. Artificial intelligence has played a large role in China. The Chinese government has used technology to improve facial recognition in order to monitor the day-to-day activities of its citizens. With the advent of artificial intelligence, the Chinese government will better be able to keep tabs on their citizens and control almost all aspects of their lives. Another privacy and security problem that arises from artificial intelligence is the fact that the AI itself is a large data set of information collected and put into one source. Therefore this source is not immune to being hacked and information can be stolen from these databases. If these databases are not strongly protected the information contained within these data sets can be leaked or stolen. “As Artificial Intelligence evolves, it further increases the involvement of personal information, thus proliferating the cases of data breaches. Generative AI can be misused to create fake profiles or manipulate images. Like all other AI technologies, it also relies on data. Cyber Crimes affect the security of 80% of businesses across the world, and we understand that personal data in the wrong hands can have monstrous outcomes. We need to take active measures to safeguard the privacy of our customers’ information with authentication using data platforms,” says Harsha Solanki, MD, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Infobip. Therefore as databases that fuel these AIs increase in volume so will the rate of cyber crimes. (Harsha Solanki). Although the potential for artificial intelligence to do good in the world is very high the probability of negative drawbacks and potential threats is just as likely if not more so.
As the growth of artificial intelligence is accelerating increasingly, the potential for it to advance society and hinder it is also increasing. The Advent of artificial intelligence can be compared to that of the discovery of fire. While it is able to improve society through innovation of technology and science it could also burn society if not used correctly. We must reevaluate the risks when mapping the growth of artificial intelligence. Automation will replace jobs and displaced people however to counteract this, policies should be developed to provide education and re-equip displaced workers with the skills and funding needed for them to find work in another sector. The reeducation centered around AI-related jobs is a major aspect of making sure artificial intelligence does not harm people in society. There will however be no stopping the growth in income inequality. However, if Society were to technologically advance further, all people would be able to enjoy its benefits not only just the top 1%. As for the increase in cybersecurity, there are two solutions to this problem. One solution would be to increase security to make sure there is no breach in security. A second alternate solution is to find a way to decentralize the data (similar to cryptocurrencies) in order to keep it secure. Although AI has many drawbacks, we should evaluate and assess all possible outcomes and integrate a solution. Through balancing the drawbacks and advances we can mitigate any potential threats and securely enjoy the benefits of automation and technological advancements.
In conclusion, the history of AI is one of rapid evolution and advancement. From its early beginnings in the mid-20th century to the cutting-edge technologies of today, AI has come a long way in a relatively short period of time. Looking to the future, AI has the potential to change the world in a variety of ways, from transforming transportation and healthcare to revolutionizing the workplace. However, as with any new technology, there are also risks and challenges that must be addressed, such as the potential for job loss and the need for ethical and responsible use of AI.
Work Cited Page
Barlow, Rich “Will Robots Take My Job? February 21, 2018
“https://www.bu.edu/articles/2018/will-robots-take-my-job/”
Allen, John R & West M Darrell “How artificial intelligence is transforming the world
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Stiglitz, Joseph E. & Korinek, Anton
“ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, GLOBALIZATION, AND STRATEGIES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT” February 2021, Cambridge, MA 02138
Dizikes, Peter “Study: Automation drives income inequality” November 21rst, 2022
Flynn, Jack “36+ ALARMING AUTOMATION & JOB LOSS STATISTICS [2023]: ARE ROBOTS, MACHINES, AND AI COMING FOR YOUR JOB?” February 14th 2023
