After clarifying the definition of Artificial Intelligence in the first part of AI Revolution-Series, we’ll delve deeper into the topic this time. The potential of AI is enormous. It can lead us towards a prosperous future or be the doom of humanity. We present to you the 4 biggest AI opportunities and threats.

AN UNKNOWN FUTURE

AI is one of the most heavily discussed topics right now. After clarifying the basics of AI in the previous part, it is important to inform yourself further about the opportunities and threats of Artificial intelligence .

No technological advancement developed as fast as AI over the last years. Many people are scared of it, as it harbors great risks and it is still uncertain whether these can be prevented in the future. However, the possibilities it brings along are also limitless and can lead to promising future. If we are not open to new technologies and inventions, humanity will not advance and start stagnate. 
 

AI AS A HUGE OPPORTUNITY

AI CAN WORK WITHOUT A BREAK

The biggest benefit of Artificial intelligence - and machines in general - is that they never get exhausted. They don’t need sleep, food, water, can’t get bored or sick, and work 24h a day - every day. The machine  can take over mundane, repetitive and boring tasks to save time for more important ones. This results in a higher productivity at the workplace and leaves room to encourage creative thinking processes. 

AI EXCEEDS THE HUMAN CAPABILITIES

AI can even create it’s own AI! In the future, AI will be able to take over complex tasks and create things, which we cannot even imagine right now.

AVOIDING ERRORS

AI performance is based on a gigantic pool of data. It knows which information or input is correct and which is false. Errors are detected and corrected immediately. AI optimizes the overall efficiency and quality of all kinds of activities and strives for perfection.

RATIONAL DECISION-MAKING

The absence of emotions leads to better and faster decision-making. The machine is not biased and makes its decisions based on rational facts and logic. Emotional factors like envy, racism or sexism don’t play a role in the decision-making process.

AI AS A THREAT TO HUMANITY

FEAR OF LOSING CONTROL

A great amount of people fear the take-over of robots and the enslavement of humanity. Personal AI assistants like Siri, Cortana or Alexa can already take control of whole house and act autonomously. The idea of losing control over the machine, which controls your house, is quite creepy and disturbing.

AI DESTROYS JOBS

History repeats itself. Technological advancement creates machines, which finishes tasks, that normally require a human to do , faster cheaper and more precise. People lose their jobs to technology. The rise of Artificial intelligence will be no exception. Experts predict that 50% of all jobs will be replaced by AI over the next 20 years. If it continues like this, humans will be dispensable at some point.

DEPENDENCE ON MACHINES

It already started. Smart devices automate of activities in our daily life. While this sounds convenient right now, as it saves time and stress, it might become a problem for future generations. The ability to think and perceive our surrounding will slowly vanish, as everything will be done automatically for us. 

Learning maths, navigation, writing and spelling, or even driving will become unnecessary. Our set of skills will shrink and we will slowly transform into a society full of people, who are unable to think for themselves and who are dependent on the machines we created. 

LACK OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

There are two sides of the coin. While machines are able to take over human tasks and activities, they still lack a certain human touch. even with Artificial intelligence, machines are not able to think, love, cry, laugh, feel guilt or be ashamed.
The primary goal of AI is to finish the task it is programmed to do. The goal might be beneficial, but with no emotional conscience, the program can find a harmful way to achieve it. It does not know what is appropriate and what not. 

I THINK, THEREFORE I AM

AI is neither good nor evil. Fact is, every revolutionary invention of mankind brought opportunities and also threats with it. We already experiencing the positive affects of AI and acknowledging its possibilities and potential to create a better world, full of health, wealth and safety. The negative affects are still unknown to us. A catastrophic outcome is possible, but no one can only imagine and assume its magnitude.

There is also the ethical question of whether it is morally acceptable to create human intelligence for machines. If the machines will get even more intelligent, human-like and involved in our daily lives - and they will - then we need to consider where we draw the line between humans and robots.
Where does consciousness start? Can a robot be considered a citizen? Can it be hold responsible for its actions? Is it protected by law? These questions are still unanswered and will continue to occupy scientific minds for the coming decades.

WITH GREAT POWER COMES THE GREAT RESPONSIBILITY

It’s our responsibility to treat AI with care and to ensure our control over it. We have the power to lead this huge opportunity into the right decision, far away from destruction and towards a bright future.

We at GigaSoft see it as our responsibility to take the next step towards the bright future to help businesses developing their promising AI ideas. Contact us and together we take technology to the next level.