Category: Artificial Intelligence

What Is Legitimate Use Of Artificial Intelligence?

There are many pros and cons in the emerging field of artificial intelligence.  How should the technology be used in the most ethical way?

The potential benefits of artificial intelligence, or AI, are enormous. In theory, it could be a tool used by people across the world to enhance their own talents and abilities.

At the same time, there also some real concerns. Transformative technology, like AI, can be incredibly disruptive. While it could add value to some human work, it may very well replace others. There could be massive job loss, leaving millions of people with no obvious prospects.

Making that problem even worse, it may be that using artificial intelligence will negatively impact the intellectual development of the next generation. Thinking skills are never fully realized, the theory goes, when entire assignments can be completed with the click of a mouse.

And then there is the environmental impact. AI agents are powered by massive data centers, which use a disproportionate amount of energy and water resources, and may well divert those same resources from human communities in regions of scarcity.

There are additional worries as well. For example, some people are already displaying an unhealthy attachment to AI chatbots. Also, how should we compensate the writers and artists whose work is used to train AI? Should the use of AI in the creative process be disclosed?

With all these concerns, there is a question of exactly how artificial intelligence can be used to minimize these concerns or risks. How can AI be incorporated into everyday life while maintaining intellectual honesty, and supporting our economy rather than destroying it?

Related questions: What do you think about artificial intelligence? Is technology neutral? What role does technology play in your life? What skills have you lost due to technology?

How Do You Prepare For A Crisis?

The sad reality is that each of us will face a crisis — or even more than one — over our lifetime. What, if anything, have you done to prepare?

Climate change threatens all of us. Rising sea water, stronger storms, weather disruption, even species extinction are all possible consequences of runway global warming. What might you do to be ready for this future?

But maybe you don’t think this is a serious threat, or you have confidence that we will address this problem before it becomes too serious.

The western coast of the United States is due for a major earthquake. Tectonic plates have been shifting, building up energy, the release of which could flood entire cities, impacting millions of people. What can individuals do to prepare for this eventuality?

But maybe you don’t live there, or know anybody who does.

Artificial Intelligence could very well reshape our entire society over the next decade or two. The worst case scenario would see mass layoffs and a collapse of the job market. And that doesn’t include the possibility of A.I. becoming self-aware, and the dangers that might pose. Are there steps that could be taken with this in mind?

Even if you discount any one of these possibilities, it seems like one or more of them could very well happen. Another financial Great Depression, a global pandemic, a meteor strike from the heavens, the rise of dictators across the globe threatening another world war, any of these could happen. Or something we haven’t thought of could catch us by surprise.

But we shouldn’t simply react. We can anticipate bad things, and prepare ourselves for them. So: How do you prepare for a crisis?

Related questions: What is the greatest problem facing humanity? How do we prepare for the next pandemic? Should we try to predict the future? How can we turn sadness into constructive action?

 

Do You Have Faith In Democracy?

Democracy finds itself under attack in the United States, as well as around the world. Do you believe it deserves to survive?

There is no doubt that democracy has been an effective method for running  a country. Great strides in human rights, technological innovations, scientific discoveries, and more have resulted.

However, one of the downsides of a democratic form of government has been on display recently: it is slow. It is difficult to get a consensus of a large populace to agree on a particular issue. Disagreements can lead to inaction, or action that is inconsistent.

At the same time, the rate of change in our world has been speeding up. New innovations spread quickly around the world, but the regulation regarding them takes much more time to craft and implement.

Take, for example, social media. The social media companies have gone from startups to tech titans in just a few short years. As a result, many countries struggle to keep up with the risks they pose.

A.I. (artificial intelligence) seems to be on a similar path. Even though many people are concerned with the dangers that A.I. poses, there have not been any significant efforts by governments to exert any control over development and implementation.

And, of course, the largest existential threat is climate change. The challenge around that is larger because of all the secondary problems that come with it: strengthening storms, species extinction, emerging diseases, displaced people, and so on. It may be that a democracy will prove unable to make necessary changes in time.

Do you think democracy can survive the threats it faces? Is it possible these threats to democracy are coming about because of its inability to tackle these multiple important issues?

Related questions: What is the greatest problem facing humanity? What role should government play in our lives? What makes a good leader?

What Is The Role Of An Independent Media?

With the rise of the Internet, traditional media outlets are facing unprecedented difficulties. As they face these problems, what should their role be?

The last 25 years or so have been a difficult time for media outlets. The demand for print newspapers or magazines has all but vanished. Layoffs have gutted newsrooms everywhere. In many cases, clickbait has replaced actual reporting. Misinformation and disinformation runs rampant. Corporations with an ideological bias are buying up struggling newspapers and local TV channels.

Even in the best of times, it can be challenging to determine just what role the media should play.

For example, who does a reporter actually work for? His or her editor? Or perhaps the person who signs the checks? What about the reading or viewing public? Or the advertisers or sponsors that keep the lights on?

Now, however, under the current conditions, finding a role might seem almost impossible. Should they be a watchdog, keeping powerful people in check? Should reporters focus on being sensationalistic, to compete with the endless entertainment options? How conciliatory should they be, both to retain access to sources as well as to keep the billionaire owner happy? Will news producers turn to artificial intelligence rather than reporters to produce articles and scripts? If so, what would that role be?

And finally, what do we, as consumers of news, do about it? How do we get information we can trust? Can we find alternatives when the local newspaper ceases publication? How can we support the media outlets that we like, if there are any?

Related questions: How much do you trust the media? How does media manipulate you? What role should government play in our lives? Should we pay attention to the news?

What Role Do Algorithms Play In Your Life?

As computers, and the software they run, grow ever more sophisticated and commonplace, more and more of our lives are impacted by them. What are some examples of the way algorithms influence you?

In the online world, it is fairly easy to see the effect that algorithms have. All the major websites have sophisticated computer programs to determine which videos, status updates, ads, or products to display to you based on your browsing history.

This can have an upside. For example, based on music that you have listened to and liked, a music streaming service might recommend a similar artist. If you are unfamiliar with them, you might discover some cool new music!

Unfortunately, there are also downsides. Viewing ever more extreme videos — as recommended by an algorithm — individuals are more likely to become radicalized and potentially dangerous.

Many social media companies program their software to maximize engagement. A computer program will learn quickly that the best way to achieve this goal is through promoting fear and anger. As a result, users are increasingly suspicious and isolationist, even if that was not the initial intent.

However, as artificial intelligence grows in ability and usefulness, it is being deployed and used more regularly in non-online settings as well. For instance, a bank might use a computer to determine if a customer is likely to default on a loan. Sports teams can use facial recognition software to deny entry to unruly fans. Rather than have faculty or staff sift through college applications, a computer can do it more thoroughly and without requiring breaks.

Can you think of ways that an algorithm is making decisions about your life, either online or off? Ultimately, do you think it is a good thing or bad?

Related questions: How accurate is your algorithm? What do you think about artificial intelligence? Will technology save us?