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The Impact of AI on Society Featured

The Impact of AI on Society "Fourth of July Fireworks"

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a hot topic and a leading area of discussion for several years now. Its impact on society is already being felt in numerous ways due to its numerous application areas. While some see this technology as crucial in solving many of the world’s problems, others are more skeptical of its potential negative effects. Here are some ways in which AI can impact society.

  1. AI could create a lack of privacy

One of the biggest concerns of AI is its threat to privacy. Considering the need for data to be used to train AI systems and that all AI systems are designed to collect data, which can be used to make predictions and decisions about individuals, the threat to privacy is real. For example, facial recognition technology used to identify individuals in public places, collect critical information. Bad actors can use this information to track the movements and activities of individuals. This raises serious questions about privacy and whether individuals are tracked without their knowledge or consent.

  1. AI lacks transparency and is biased

Lack of transparency has been another significant concern about AI. AI systems are designed to make decisions based on complex algorithms that a few individuals design. Therefore, it is not easy to understand how these decisions are made. This lack of transparency raises doubt about the decisions because the algorithms may be making decisions based on factors that are not relevant or fair. In job interviews, for example, a candidate may be rejected by an AI system based on factors that have nothing to do with their qualifications, such as their race, gender, or age, even though these factors have nothing to do with their qualifications or skills.

  1. AI may hinder societal advancement

While AI has the potential to solve many of the world’s problems, professionals argue that it can also hinder societal advancement. For example, with AI systems now doing tasks that were initially a preserve of humans, it could lead to a lack of innovation and creativity. Additionally, if AI is used to automate jobs, it could lead to widespread unemployment and economic instability.

  1. AI can limit human’s willingness to make difficult choices

Although AI systems make decisions based on data, they may not always make the best decisions because of various reasons, including bad data. However, with the abilities of AI, there are possibilities of people becoming overly reliant on AI and no longer willing to make difficult choices or take risks. This can have adverse consequences, as it may lead to a lack of innovation and creativity and a failure to address complex problems.

  1. Wrong AI predictions can lead to life-threatening events

AI systems are designed to make predictions based on data. The data may not always be accurate. This can have serious repercussions, particularly in fields such as healthcare and transportation, where wrong predictions can be life-threatening. An example is failure to receive the treatment needed when an AI system incorrectly diagnoses a patient with a disease. Another example is that a serious accident may occur if an AI system incorrectly predicts the behaviour of a self-driving car.

  1. AI threatens jobs and security

Job security is the biggest concern about AI, evident with the rise of chatbots and robots. These AI-powered systems have the potential to impact jobs and security adversely. As AI systems become more advanced, they will likely replace many jobs that humans currently perform. Lack of jobs due to AI could lead to widespread unemployment and economic instability, particularly in industries regardless of industry. Additionally, AI systems may be vulnerable to cyberattacks, which could seriously affect national security.

In conclusion, although AI has the potential to solve many of the world’s problems, it also poses significant risks and challenges to society. It is important for society to be aware of these risks and to take steps to mitigate them. One solution to this is developing regulations and guidelines for the use of AI and investing in research and development to ensure that AI is developed in a way that is safe and beneficial for everyone.

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Scott Koegler

Scott Koegler is Executive Editor for PMG360. He is a technology writer and editor with 20+ years experience delivering high value content to readers and publishers. 

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