Future of Artificial Intelligence: What Critics Foresee

 With the rise of AI, several key figures in the technology field have spoken out about what role AI holds in the future of our world. "With the adoption of AI systems, at first I thought we were looking at a mirror, but now I believe we're looking into a kaleidoscope of distortion," Dr. Joy Buolamwini of the MIT Media Lab says. "Because the technologies we believe to be bringing us into the future are actually taking us back from the progress already made." Essentially her belief is that AI promotes the racist and sexist beliefs that society has been trying to escape for years. On the other hand, Mark Zuckerberg believes that “Generative AI is the key to solving some of the world’s biggest problems, such as climate change, poverty, and disease. It has the potential to make the world a better place for everyone." But how do we know who to trust in? How do we know that we are safe with AI?

From Medianama

What is Artificial Intelligence? Where did it come from?

Also known as AI, artificial intelligence is a set of technologies that make computers do things that are thought to require intelligence when done by people (MITTechnologyReview.com). 1956 is AI's official birthdate. It was born in a Dartmouth conference where John McCarthy and other major figures in the AI sector, such as Marvin Minsky and Alan Turing, discussed the foundations of AI and started working on their the first ever model.

Pros of AI

1. Efficiency, Productivity, and Economic Benefits

AI boosts efficiency and productivity by optimizing operations, automating repetitive tasks, and lowering resource requirements. This leads to quicker production, reduced expenses, and higher quality outcomes. By harnessing data for precise decision-making, minimizing errors with advanced algorithms, and allowing employees to focus on strategic initiatives, AI helps businesses reduce costs, enhance accuracy, and accelerate growth.

2. Saves Humans from Dangerous Situations

Jobs such as mining, which demand excessive labor, involve exposure to toxic gases, and offer very limited space to maneuver, as well as lighting, often regarded as one of the most hazardous occupations, will be replaced by AI. Other physically demanding jobs could also be replaced.

3. Enhances and Reinforces Technological Advancements

AI fosters innovation, boosts efficiency, and enriches daily life through applications such as early disease detection, tailored treatments, streamlined workflows, and fraud prevention. It powers virtual assistants, personalized recommendations, real-time security systems, and rapid data analysis, highlighting its crucial role in advancing society and enhancing lives with smarter technology and improved safety.

Cons of AI

1. AI Is Unsustainable

Recently, researchers at the University of Massachusetts conducted a study to measure the energy consumed in training certain popular large AI models. The findings revealed that training these models can generate approximately 626,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, equivalent to about 300 round-trip flights between New York and San Francisco—nearly five times the lifetime emissions of an average car. According to NASA, carbon dioxide is the primary driver of climate change. Our planet is already at a critical tipping point regarding climate change, and AI is escalating the problem.

Image Generated by Open AI

2. AI Is Biased and Untrustworthy

AI has become a very big part of our world and is used in so many different areas of expertise. However, AI reinforces stereotypes and biases, and if it is used for law enforcement, this could cause false accusations and wrongful imprisonment. This bias is unresolved because the actual creators of AI do not know why AI could have these stereotypical beliefs or biases.

3. Job Loss and Social Inequalities

According to the ADP Research Center, 42% of workers worldwide fear that AI might take over their jobs and leave them unemployed. These concerns are particularly prevalent among artists, mathematicians, speechwriters, editors, and journalists.

The Future

People think if different things when the topic of AI is brought my. Personally I think that AI is inevitable, we can not run. Instead we have to learn to live and grow with it. My history teacher brought up and idea that I often think about. She said that this new era with AI in our world is comparable to the Industrial revolution where machines took over people's jobs. She told us that there were losers and winners with every change. That if we were smart we would not only stay away form AI but also find a way to make money off  of it. Of course in my honors class everybody wanted to be smart so we all took a moment of silence to think about how we could be rich millionaires like the factory owners during the Industrialization of Britain. All in all, I think that no matter what AI holds for us in the future we must be adaptable and work with it, around it, or else it will simply burn through us and simply leave behind our ashes.