Artificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe? It is Up to Us

Technology

While many recent technologies claim to be unbiased, Dr. Noble argues they often "repeat the problems they're supposed to solve."

01 May 2024 | Zeynep Orhan | Issue 159 (May - Jun 2024)

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Artificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe? It is Up to Us

AI itself is not inherently dangerous. It is a powerful tool, like any technology, whose impact depends on the hands that manipulate it. AI can be considered as a super-intelligent student, constantly learning, and evolving. While the potential of AI and computer technology to revolutionize our world is undeniable, it is crucial to acknowledge the potential pitfalls that accompany this progress.
Despite their neutral appearance, discriminatory algorithms exacerbate existing inequalities across various sectors like insurance, advertising, education, and law enforcement, and often result in outcomes that disadvantage the economically challenged and racially marginalized, effectively reinforcing systemic biases.
From housing discrimination to unfair hiring practices, the documentary “Coded Bias” exposes how algorithms can perpetuate inequalities in crucial areas like healthcare, credit scoring, education, and the legal system. The lack of legal frameworks for AI as the documentary argues, allows such human rights violations to occur unchecked.

From remarkably accurate phone predictions to self-navigating robot vacuums, artificial intelligence (AI) subtly weaves itself into the fabric of our daily lives. Yet, amidst the buzz and intrigue, a crucial paradox emerges: Is AI a torch illuminating the path of progress, or a looming shadow threatening our future? Is it all sunshine and rainbows, or should we fear it is on the path to world domination?

The truth, as is often the case, lies somewhere between these fantastical narratives and dystopian anxieties. Unlike the villains of fiction, AI itself is not inherently dangerous. It is a powerful tool, like any technology, whose impact depends on the hands that manipulate it. AI can be considered as a super-intelligent student, constantly learning, and evolving. This potential unleashes a world of possibilities including but not limited to self-driving cars navigating roads with unparalleled safety, or AI doctors analyzing medical scans with superhuman accuracy. However, like any student, AI can make mistakes. Some worry about potential biases leading to unfair decisions, while others express concerns about job displacement by automated systems. These are valid anxieties, highlighting the critical need for open discourse and responsible development.