Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the intelligence associated with machines, when it can function like a human to perform tasks like thinking, problem solving and learning. Ever since its inception in 1956, AI has had its share of ups and downs – from creation of human brain like neural networks in computers and Perceptron (early computers that could talk, walk and think) to disappointment and loss of funding popularly known as AI Winters. Later on companies like Google, Facebook and Microsoft had huge user data that required high computing capabilities and this need brought about the re-introduction of AI a decade or so ago. The impact of AI promises to shape a future with unparalleled prosperity and equality for all.
Pros of AI
Easier jobs: As Artificial Intelligence is finding its way from big businesses to the small ones, the AI software are committed to making jobs easier and these software are getting cheaper because of popularity.
More jobs for computer engineers: Since AI is a growing revolution today with huge funding, the industry itself has numerous job openings. More and more software and hardware designers will get jobs because of AI.
Easier Customer Interaction: In the future, all customer interactions are going to be managed by AI powered chatbots. Technological changes will lead to the creation of newer better jobs and in turn a new life.
Improved quality of life: Rise in AI promises newer ways of living. Translating languages efficiently for having conversations, self-driven automobiles and supercomputers that can diagnose diseases and prescribe suitable medications are a few developments in this field seen in the recent years. In the future, AI could even help in solving problems like climate change!
Cons of AI
Loss of jobs: In this interim period where scientists are still experimenting with the possibilities of AI, machines will displace many of the jobs, as certain skills of the workers will become obsolete. It will be responsible for killing middle-class jobs.
Give rise to dissatisfaction: The rise in unemployment will create lower quality and lower paid jobs in the future. Lesser job satisfaction will prevail – as the workers will be assigned to unfamiliar new jobs.
People not having soft skills will suffer: Paralegals, bookkeepers, managers and other administrative staffs are at the risk of losing their jobs because of automation. Instead, soft skills such as confidence, flexibility, toughness and communicative skills along with STEM capabilities (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) will be the key aspects for jobs in the future.
Dystopian future: There are also predictions that future led by AI, this so-called new way of living– will be unreal for humans to digest. Also, there is no guarantee that there won’t be a possibility of an absolute takeover of our personal and professional lives by these powerful machines in the future.
Growth of Capitalism: Since developing AI requires huge funding, in the future there is a good chance the AI powered society will be controlled by the firms that developed it.
Rise of inequality: There is a possibility of increase in disparity between the rich and the poor and widening the existing inequality, as cutting down labor jobs are the main target of the future AI powered society.
Uncertainty of future: As there is a huge cloud of uncertainty lingering over AI as of now since these are early days, everything that sounds great now, could be bad if you are the one taking the brunt that be brought about by the AI technology.
AI powered society possesses a real threat to our immediate future. However, like every other technology that has altered society, AI technology will also turn out to be advantageous only if man makes an effort to use it for improving living conditions of the future. In the wrong hands, it would just widen the existing gaps in inequality. With sincere efforts such as partnership on AI — who are solely dedicated to good practices of AI technology — let us hope it will be used ethically that will bring about positive changes in the future society for all.