Perils Of AI

Britti Aryal

While talking about the rapid pace of technological development, a digital revolution in Artificial Intelligence (AI) has caught the attention of many. The computer-based algorithms that complete tasks and solve problems without the requirement of human intelligence and time have gained popularity among all. With the power to make vast improvements to our quality of life, AI has been a perfect tool. By enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of decision-making and simplifying the lives of people, AI has been gaining massive users throughout the world. 

Looking from various perspectives, AI has shown its potential in many fields.  From enhancing affordable healthcare to immense development in the educational sector and from developing high-tech solutions to graphical evolutions, AI has moved technology one step forward. AI has shown its endless possibilities in almost every sector. The changes AI has brought are astounding. A computer-based programme with the ability to think and learn on its own has made our lives better and easier. 

With consistency and perfection in every task it performs, it has left humans behind.  Not only can an AI programme run constantly, but it can also do the same task with the same standard forever. It never gets tired. A properly trained machine learning algorithm that can analyse massive data in a limited time has supplemented human's ability to perform. Fewer errors and fewer downtime features have been a great factor in the rise of AI.  

But AI is not without drawbacks. Its rapid and all-encompassing involvement poses a huge risk to humanity, so it is critical to note the cons of this powerful technology. AI has been a dangerous tool with no ability to control itself. Lately, AI-generated images and videos and AI-powered voice changers have been widely used. Creating realistic photos/videos or audio clips and replacing the image of one figure with another has created a lot of confusion and conflicts. It is difficult to know what is real and what is fake.

Social manipulations through AI algorithms have been more problematic. Data privacy has been a major concern too. An overreliance on AI technology has curtailed human creativity at the same time. As AI-powered job automation goes in demand, it threatens to displace human resources. With capital-exhaustive technologies, human-intensive requirements have decreased in some industries. Humans are being replaced with machines. Implementation of AI-like robots has already displaced many occupations, leading to severe unemployment. AI algorithms have become more sophisticated in creating ethical dilemmas. 

The pace of economic changes AI has brought is spectacular. It has enhanced the quality of life by forcing us to shift conditions more quickly. However, machines are not rational and can only do what they are taught, and people are misusing it by giving negative and unwanted commands. A machine-based algorithm trying to replicate the commands and abilities of the human brain is worrying. Many forms of misalignment and harm exist in AI which need to be addressed. Stating its harm doesn’t mean we should stop using AI but everyone needs to understand its limitations to implement it in the right way. People need to understand the range of potential harms that AI systems pose and must know the ways to mitigate them.