It is increasingly used all over the world. What once seemed to be a utopia dreamt up by poets and philosophers has now become reality. AI. Artificial Intelligence. What is it exactly and why has the discourse shifted from the lens of a brave new world to a more grim depiction?
Every new invention has its critics. Criticism is not only important, but crucial in fostering innovation, sparking ideas, correcting errors and encouraging dialogue. However, many would argue that the debate around AI does not follow this pattern. If anything, the multiplicity of voices only causes confusion.
While some proclaim AI to be a world-saving technology, others are much more sceptical, particularly in the realm of politics. But what is the big deal? In light of current events, the thought of non-human governance does not really seem that bad. Delegating tasks to non-human intelligences might not only decrease personal bias, but also introduce new methods of addressing problems.
Firstly, we must establish a consensus when discussing AI. Should Amazon’s Alexa be placed in the same category as ChatGPT? AI is not all the same; different systems have different functions.
Generally, we can differentiate between pre-programmed learning systems and those that “learn by doing”, moving from static algorithms to active learning. This approach involves providing the technology with a set of inputs and outputs and allowing it to autonomously reach a pre-established goal. This new method comes with advantages as well as disadvantages.
Ideally, it would enable AI to develop rules that humans have not considered, which can be particularly valuable in fields such as medicine. However, AI might also generate rules and ideas that humans have not anticipated. Lacking a conscience, AI will do everything possible to achieve its end goal, disregarding potential collateral damage. This is especially concerning in political or wartime contexts, so, kind of like Aladdin’s Genie turned Ex Machina.
But if this risk is so high (and acknowledged by multiple CEOs who helped invent it), why aren’t we stopping any further development?
There are a number of reasons.
Firstly, due to machine learning, AI is no longer in need of specific instructions. Whether or not we have a degree in computer science, we are constantly feeding “the machine” information which can be used to further develop its AI. This leads us to another political setback. Stopping AI development requires a global consensus. Whoever feeds the AI with information will influence its outputs. AI-developers in the Western hemisphere are worried about the loss of Western values, if they are the only ones to stop continuing development.
Moreover, there are other, more obvious problems and philosophical questions that remain unanswered, such as the delegation of human jobs to AI and its enormous energy consumption, which raises questions about the sustainability of the entire endeavour.
Nevertheless, there are two sides to every story. In this case, making the most of the opportunities offered by this new technology is definitely worth a try. In fact, it is a must if one wants to have a say in its future development. The main takeaway for both users and developers is to be cautious. Misuse on a global scale could lead to potentially disastrous outcomes.
Written by Astrid Steinöcker
The Grad Media 
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