Complications of Artificial Intelligence
As we grow our Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities, complications will arise. Here is a look at 3 of the most complex issues we will face.
Security and Safety
On the extreme, many believe a super intelligent AI will pose a threat to human existence. If you’re in this camp, you’re not alone – significant thinkers (Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Stephen Hawking) feel the same way. There’s no question a doomsday scenario exists, just not in the short term. AI is still developing and is only now making major technological strides.
In the immediate future, the security of critical systems should be the focus. Imagine developing an AI, with the purpose of infiltrating a bank, or a country’s weapons arsenal. A program that can infinitely iterate, learning from failed attempts, creates a real issue for governments and private organizations.
Fortunately, if we can develop AI to attack our systems, we can also create AI to protect our systems, iterating better defenses as it learns.
Human Bias
Human Bias isn’t usually a topic associated with AI, but could play a big part in the function of an AI system. AI works on the premise of using an algorithm to process an initial data set, and learn as new data is introduced. If the initial data set is flawed with human bias, it will influence the function and output of the AI system. Ultimately, it will still be up to human interaction to recognize biased data, and make changes to AI systems accordingly.
Jobs
AI will displace jobs, there’s no way around that. There will be some short term economic pain. These jobs will vary from sector to sector, affecting various skill levels. Much has been written on this subject, and considering the immediate and tangible effect this could have on individuals, it’s a sensitive topic.
The reality is that the human species has been built on progress and innovation – displacing jobs along the way. The invention of printing presses and photocopies redefined administrative jobs. The “horseless buggy” reduced the need for stable hand jobs. Advances in robotics and computer technology has long been on the forefront of automation in factories, displacing un-skilled jobs. In all cases, these technological advancements created jobs in new fields and other job segments. The advancement of AI will be no different – we need to understand what these new fields are, and how we can prepare our population to take advantage of the new opportunities.
Artificial Intelligence is not new, but useful applications and its technological advancement is accelerating. These advancements will make us uncomfortable, and ultimately help us achieve new things that will benefit the entire planet.
