Human beings have always been afraid of the unknown
This is the catastrophic scenario imagined by some of us. Human beings have always been afraid of the unknown. This lack of control is the origin of this form of xenophobia. The risks of artificial intelligence becoming uncontrollable and taking control of humanity are minimal, according to the majority of specialists.
However, it’s worth noting that the CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, believes that the development of artificial intelligence poses an existential threat to humanity. He advocates for government intervention in regulating artificial intelligence.
The Risks
However, there are certain risks when artificial intelligence falls into the wrong hands. It can be used for criminal purposes or disinformation. Several malicious uses can be identified, including:
- Identity theft and deepfakes, creating manipulated videos that overlay one person’s image onto another’s.
- Hacking autonomous vehicles. In 2015, two white hat hackers, Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek, took control of a Jeep Cherokee driven by journalist Andy Greenberg.
- Phishing, a form of cybercrime. This involves using personalized and automated messages to increase effectiveness in gathering secure information or installing malicious software.
- Hacking AI-managed systems by disrupting or controlling operations, such as disrupting railway traffic, for instance.
- And more.
Beyond these risks, there are several challenges to address regarding the development and use of artificial intelligence. These challenges include ethical, economic, data protection, social, decision-making responsibility, and legal challenges.
Ethical Challenges
The real risks are more of an ethical nature. Indeed, artificial intelligence could be discriminatory. It relies mainly on data that doesn’t take context into account. It could be built upon historical data that marginalized racial minorities, women, and so on. This heavy reliance on data makes handling exceptions difficult, at least for now. The metadata on which artificial intelligence is based can contain a significant number of biases and assumptions. This wouldn’t be without consequences for certain groups of people in terms of inequalities and injustice. This is known as informational bias. The absence of consciousness and especially empathy can make it difficult to understand the motivations and attitudes of human beings.
Economic Challenges
The adoption of artificial intelligence can exacerbate existing economic inequalities. Companies with significant financial and technological resources have an advantage in AI adoption, which can create disparities between large corporations and small businesses, or between developed and developing countries.
Challenges Regarding Data Protection
The use of artificial intelligence often requires access to large quantities of data, including personal data. This raises concerns about data privacy and security, necessitating the establishment of appropriate regulations and protective measures.
In addition to this, there’s a significant challenge related to mass surveillance. Images from video surveillance, location data, electronic messages, audio recordings, and more are all intrusions into individuals’ private lives. Through these data, both companies and governments can employ various persuasive techniques to manipulate behavior.
The Social Challenges
In addition to the previously mentioned discriminatory nature, artificial intelligence could have an impact on employment. Automation powered by artificial intelligence could lead to the elimination of certain jobs, especially those that are routine or based on predictable tasks. This could create economic disparities and necessitate measures to facilitate the transition of workers into new jobs.
Furthermore, artificial intelligence can give rise to addictive behaviors. The quality of the user experience and its immersive nature can sometimes create a certain dependence on interfaces created by artificial intelligence. Excessive reliance on these systems can render societies vulnerable in case of technological failures, outages, or cyberattacks.
The Challenges of Decision-Making Responsibility
When artificial intelligence systems make decisions that impact individuals, it’s important to determine who is responsible in case of errors or adverse consequences. The opacity of AI models and the lack of clear accountability pose challenges in this domain.
The Legal Challenges
Artificial intelligence raises questions about appropriate regulation and legislation. Currently, there is no legal framework that governs the use of artificial intelligence. This absence of standards for transparency, accountability, and security is notable.
As mentioned earlier, AI systems often require substantial amounts of personal data to function effectively. This raises concerns about privacy and data protection.
The issue of liability arises when autonomous AI systems make decisions. These decisions can have a significant impact on individuals and society. Who is responsible in case of erroneous decisions or harm caused by AI systems?
In summary
Artificial intelligence has presented us with a set of unavoidable challenges. We are in the midst of a major revolution that cannot be stopped. It is up to us to adapt and find ways to harness its potential for the best outcomes. Artificial intelligence should be seen as a tool that can enhance efficiency, innovation, and productivity across various domains, leading to significant economic, social, and environmental benefits.
Establishing clear mechanisms of accountability and responsibility for those involved in the development and use of AI is not only crucial but also important to enact regulations that ensure the protection of individuals’ privacy. These regulations should guide the ethical, transparent, and responsible use of data.
