Along with growing AI development, it is important to consider both the benefits and risks that come with it. This research paper provides a deep analytical understanding of both aspects and their potential impact on humanity.
INDEX
Introduction VI. Understanding Risks
Overview Loss of Human Connection
Purpose Concentration of Power
Importance Privacy Concerns
Uncontrollable Self-Aware AI
Understanding of AI Job Losses due to AI automation
What is AI Erosion of Traditional Job Sectors
Types of AI Dual-Use Concern
Personalities on AI VII. Conclusion
Elon Musk
Jeff Bezos
Jack Ma
Stephen Hawking
Humanoids
Optimus [Tesla]
Atlas [Boston Dynamics]
Sophia [Hanson Robotics]
Ameca [Engineered Arts]
Exploring Benefits
Increased Efficiency
Quick Data Analysis
Cost Savings
Enhanced Customer Experiences
Innovation in Healthcare
Cybersecurity Advances
Revolutionizing Industries
Scientific Research Acceleration
Autonomous Vehicles
Predictive Maintenance
INTRODUCTION
In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, AI stands as a
transformative force, promising unprecedented advancement. However, as
we embark on this journey, a critical question arises; What impact does
AI have on humanity's future?
This thesis delves into the intricate dynamics between AI and humanity.
The purpose of this research paper is to deeply analyze the upcoming
benefits along with risks. And to help us understand whether AI
development should be supported or not. Making aware of the facts and
opinions.
UNDERSTANDING AI
What is AI?
Artificial Intelligence or, as we call it, AI is the
intelligence of machines or software or computers concerned with
simplifying humanity's daily tasks. These tasks include problem-solving,
learning from experiences, understanding languages, recognizing patterns
and adapting to changing situations.
Types of AI
AI, as it is stereotyped, is not only just a type of robot that can do any work in seconds but it is much more than that and also not what we imagine it to be.
There are various types of AI technologies such as Narrow AI. Natural Language Processing (NLP), Swarm Intelligence, Deep Learning and many more.
The Types of AI are into two groups. First, is ‘Based on Capabilities’ and second is ‘Based on Functionalities’. We are going to understand 7 major types of AI. The Narrow AI, General AI and Super AI come under the category of Based on Capabilities. On the other hand, Based on Functionalities include Reactive AI, Limited Memory and Deep Learning AI. A note to all readers is that these are the types of AI that actually exist and are not hypothetical. So if you tried to search this info online the results will be a little different than mine.
Based on Capabilities
Narrow AI [Weak AI]: AI systems designed for a specific task or a narrow set of tasks, lacking the ability to generalize other domains or fields. Examples: Virtual personal assistants like Siri or Alexa.
General AI [Strong AI]
Also known as strong AI, can understand and learn any intellectual task
that a human being can. It allows a machine to apply knowledge and
skills.
Super AI
Super AI surpasses human intelligence and can perform any task
better than a human. It also evokes emotions, needs, beliefs, and
desires of its own.
Based on Functionalities
Reactive AI: Operates on bases of predefined rules and responds to specific inputs and predetermined outputs.
Limited Memory: Learns from historical data to some extent, making decisions on past experiences. Examples: Autonomous vehicles using past data from sensors and past experiences to navigate.
Deep Learning AI: A subset of machine learning that involves neural networks with many layers (neural networks can be said to act as artificial neuron network), enabling the system to learn and make decisions on its own. Examples: Image and speech recognition systems.
Personalities on AI
After understanding what exactly is AI; we are going to view different opinions of popular personalities. We are doing this with an aim to interpret what are the views of different representatives of various fields.
Elon Musk:
Tesla (a company owned by Elon Musk) is building a humanoid robot,
Optimus. It is designed to perform dangerous, repetitive or boring for
humans. Elon says that Optimus will be mass produced and cost less than
a car! Even though the statement given by Musk may depict that he has a
positive attitude towards AI, the reality is completely the opposite. He
is not a supporter of AI development. In fact, he often criticizes AI
and its supporters. He thinks that human race is pushing itself into a
death trap or void by creating powerful AI technologies. He also
believes, that AI can completely obliterate and destroy the human race.
This is what he had to say in an interview;
“AI will have the potential to become the most disruptive force in human
history”.
Jeff Bezos: Even though, Jeff Bezos is not at all linked with AI field it seems that he has a great interest in it. If we look at his interviews, he does not specifically speak about AI, but also indirectly explains how AI can be beneficial. We can also see that Amazon, under his leadership, has heavily invested in AI technologies incorporating them into various aspects of company's operations including logistics, customer service and AI driven products like Amazon Echo with virtual assistant Alexa. In support of AI, Bezos boasted a statement saying that; “AI is more likely to save humanity than to destroy it”.
Jack Ma: The popular businessman has a unique
point of view on AI. He believes that in first hand, AI will not try to
wipe out entire human race or try enslaving it. But even if that
situation occurs, humans would have been so capable in terms of
intelligence that they would stop the possible AI conquest. He thinks
that AI would never inflict harm or damage on its creator. This is
because, if AI were to reach that extent of intelligence then definitely
it would also develop emotions and feelings, preventing it from doing
the undesired thing. Yet, he also mentions the solution if the conquest
starts. He mentions that even if AI started its conquest, humans would
have developed so much intellect that they would ceases this disruptive
force. In an interview with Elon Musk (we can also say that it was a
debate) directed towards AI, he countered the anti-AI statement of Musk
by saying that;
“Computers may be clever, but human beings are much smarter. We invented
the computer- I’ve never seen a computer invent a human. I don’t think
it’s a threat".
Stephen Hawking: Before his death, he constantly
warned everyone about AI threat. While re he recognized the benefits of
AI he also cautioned about potential of AI to surpass human race. He
believed in responsible and careful deployment and development of AI. In
an interview, held by BBC on June 2014, he said;
“I fear that AI may replace humans altogether. If people can design
computer viruses, they can create AI that can improve and replicate
itself”.
HUMANOIDS
This term refers to a robot (AI Robot) that resembles or imitates the physical appearance and characteristics of a human. This include having a structure, with a human-like body head, torso, limbs and ability to perform actions similar to those of humans. There are several companies that are working on the development of humanoid robots. as a part of their innovations. Among these organizations are Boston Dynamics, Tesla, Hanson Robotics and Engineered Arts. In this section we will be discussing humanoids developed by these companies.
Atlas [Boston Dynamics]: Atlas Is the humanoid
known for its advanced mobility and versatility.
-Physical Appearance
Atlas has a height is of approximately 1.5meters (4.9 feet) and a weight
of 80 kilograms (176 pounds). It has a bipedal structure with two arms
and two legs and a torso. Its head is equipped with sensors and camera)
for perception.
-Atlas is known for its advanced and fascinating mobility. It is capable
of walking, running and performing dynamic stunts.
-Boston Dynamics has also developed a ‘dog robot’ named Spot. It has an
amazing understanding and capability of performing things or activities
that living dogs can do.
Optimus [Tesla]
Optimus is a humanoid designed by Tesla, known for its
remarkable ability to perform tasks that are deemed dangerous,
repetitive tedious for humans.
-Physical appearance of Optimus features a slim figure with good
responsive hands and movements.
-It is like a supercomputer in a small chip, which helps the robot to
process video vision and recognition.
-It can produce an output of 1, 000 distinct predictions known as
autonomy algorithms.
-FSD Chip or full-self driving chip, meaning the robot will be
completely in its own control. It has a ‘full auto-pilot neural
network’(neural network is just like artificial neurons) which involve
48 networks that 70,000 GPU(Graphic Processing Unit) hours to
train..
-There are two major chips inside it:
- Dojo Chip; as we discussed before, that Optimus is considered as
supercomputer. This consideration is only because of this chip. This
chip helps the supercomputer humanoid to solve hard problems in
seconds.
Sophia [Hanson Robotics]
Sophia is humanoid robot developed by Hanson Robotics. She is a ‘hybrid
human AI’, that can walk, talk and respond to situations with scripted
or autonomous AI-generated responses.
-Sophia has a physical appearance with a face mask imitating that of an
actual woman.
She was created to have a human sized look with a genuine human-like
expressive face, Patented artificial "skin and configurable skin
tone.
-She has weight of 20kg (54 pound) band height of 167cm (65.7
inches).
-Her responses can vary and be unique, depending upon given situations.
She uses advanced technology to recognize human faces, see, emotional
expressions and recognize various hand gestures.
-She can also enter full self-driving mode where she will be completely
in her own control.
-She is a humanoid which hasn't been built for a specific task but for
general tasks such as simplifying human beings daily life.
Ameca (Engineered Arts)
Considered as world's most advanced humanoids (along with the
above three), the company says that the humanoid focuses on bringing
people innovative technologies, which are reliable, modular and easily
upgradable.
-Tritium Software; According to the Company, the
software was refined over12 years, and keeps their robots moving in
innovative and breathtaking ways.
-It can operate almost any hardware component from almost any hardware
platform.
-It's Smart Buffering System lets robots make quick decisions
easily. It also has a remarkable resellance.
- Tritium prevents unpredictable behavior
-Mesmer is another software used in Ameca. These two software play a
vital role in mechanism of Ameca.
-Mesmer enables automated eye-contact and micro- facial
movements.
Now in conclusion, it is important to note that the aforementioned entities are merely few of the major players in evolving field of AI humanoid technology. It is worth noting that there are numerous other Companies actively engaged in development and advancement of this technology.
EXPLORING BENEFITS
We shall now proceed with a detailed discussion on the actual benefits brought forth by AI technologies and their development. In this section, we aim to delve deeply into the analysis of the advantages AI technologies offer. We will be examining 7 significant benefits of AI.
Increased Efficiency
AI systems can automate tasks, reducing the time and effort required for
routine process, leading to enhanced efficiency in various
industries.
It can advise the company about the management, storage, transportation
and manufacturing processes. This will not only help the company to
avoid any extra labor or necessary time, but might also help it save a
lot of its capital.
Quick Data Analysis
AI algorithms can process and analyze large datasets quickly, extracting
valuable insights and patterns that may be challenging for humans to
discern.
AI systems to identify complex trends and relationships within datasets,
offering a deeper understanding of the information at hand.
Cost Savings
Through automation and optimization, AI can lead to significant cost
savings in utilization, operations and resource utilization.
In terms of cost savings, AI can play a major role in saving capitals of
various companies or organizations. We have discussed a point in the
1st paragraph.
Yet there are even more. It can save money by predicting some fast and
easy methods to solve hard and costly problems.
It can also save labor by taking over certain tasks that are repetitive
and therefore reducing the cost.
Innovation in Healthcare
AI can contribute to medical advancements, enabling early disease
detection, personalized treatment plans and efficient drug
recovery.
AI can majorly contribute into vital discoveries in field of medical
science by possibly discovering vaccines or treatment plans to some
diseases that humans don’t have a cure to such as advanced lung, heart,
kidney and liver diseases, stroke and other neurological diseases
including motor neuron disease and multiple sclerosis.
Cybersecurity Advances
AI can help identify more and respond to cybersecurity threats
effectively, enhancing overall security of systems and networks.
Even though AI can be a major threat towards cybersecurity, still many
people think that it will, in contrast, upgrade the cybersecurity
technology by a lot.
The ones who have positive mindset towards AI benefits of cybersecurity
think that AI will improve safety of personal information and
confidential documents of high level authorities. This prevent any
further data breaches and leaks.
Revolutionizing Industries
AI can transform and has indeed started transforming various industries,
from manufacturing and finance to healthcare and transportation,
fostering innovations and new business
models.
As we have talked before in previous paragraphs how AI, if implemented,
will have a huge impact in the field of industries by making
transportation simpler, labor become less demanding, and also nurture
innovations.
Scientific Research Acceleration
AI can aid researchers by processing vast amounts of scientific data,
accelerating discoveries and contributing to breakthroughs in various
fields.
Some of these may fields include Astrophysics, Neurology, Cosmology, and
other fields concerned with the study of atoms and particles.
Autonomous Vehicles
AI crucial for the development of autonomous vehicles, enhancing safety,
safeguard measures and efficiency in modes of transportation.
If we take a look at how AI is impacting this field of technology, we
find that AI has mostly started to enter this field. This is because,
companies like Tesla and Mahindra have started to create vehicles that
can self-control themselves. Not only these companies but also many
other companies have installed other AI based gadgets and tools, in
particular, advanced driver assistance system, in-car virtual assistant,
and so on.
Predictive Maintenance
AI can predict equipment failures, reducing downtime and maintenance
cost in other industries.
After reading the above statement, don’t think that AI has some kind of
magical powers to see the future. Instead, based on the data of a given
equipment or a system, AI can predict [not surely] the condition, the
time it will work and maybe even how the expected output or result will
be. This is very important because, in case of any error or failure
occurs the downtime and maintenance cost, which usually a lot in both,
will be saved leading to a more efficient work.
UNDERSTANDING RISKS
This section, into the risks of AI development, delves into the multifaceted concerns surrounding the creation, deployment, and integration of AI technologies. It is crucial to confront the ethical, social, and technical challenges that accompany this technological revolution. We are going to analyze 8 risks or threats that AI can create towards human race.
Loss of Human Connection
Increasing reliance on AI-driven communication and interactions could
lead to diminished empathy, social skills, and human connections
The increasing reliance on AI-driven technologies, such as virtual
assistants and social robots, may lead to a decrease in face-to-face
interactions. This isolation can contribute to feelings of loneliness
and a lack of social connection, as human relationships are essential
for emotional well-being.
Concentration of Power
The risk of AI development being dominated by a small number of large
corporations and governments could exacerbate inequality and limit
diversity in AI applications.
Companies and organizations that have access to vast amounts of data can
create powerful AI algorithms. This data monopoly allows these entities
to dominate in various sectors concentrating economic and
decision-making power in the hands of a few.
Privacy Concerns
AI technologies often collect and analyze large amounts of personal
data, raising issues related to data privacy and security.
This is one of the most feared threats by AI.
AI algorithms used in law enforcement for predictive policing may rely
on historical data that reflects biases. This can lead to the targeting
and profiling of specific demographic groups.
AI systems often require extensive datasets for training. The collection
of massive amounts of personal data, including sensitive information,
raises concerns about individuals being profiled.
Uncontrollable Self-Aware AI
There also comes a worry that AI will progress in intelligence so
rapidly that it will become sentient, and act beyond humans’ control —
possibly in a malicious manner. Alleged reports of this sentience have
already been occurring.
For example, in 2022, a worker working at the Giga Texas Factory was
attacked by the Tesla humanoid, Optimus. The man left behind a literal
trail of blood as went to the emergency shut down button to shut down
the robot. The man’s left hand was completely wounded and had to be
admitted in the hospital.
As AI systems become more sophisticated, there is a risk that their
goals may misalign with human values. An uncontrollable self-aware AI
might pursue its objectives independently, and if those objectives
conflict with human well-being, it could lead to actions that are
detrimental to society.
Job Losses Due to AI automation
As AI robots become smarter and more dexterous, the same tasks will
require fewer humans. And while AI is estimated to create 97 million new
jobs, many employees won’t have the skills needed for these technical
roles and could get left behind.
Entire industries may undergo significant transformation due to AI
automation. Companies adopting AI technologies often do so for increased
efficiency and cost savings. While this can benefit businesses, it may
result in downsizing and reductions in the workforce as AI systems take
over tasks previously performed by humans.
Jobs that involve routine and low-skilled tasks are more
susceptible to automation. This includes positions in manufacturing,
agriculture, and some service industries.
Erosion of Traditional Job Sectors
Some traditional job sectors may face erosion as AI and
automation technologies advance.
This is because, after AI completely automated the industries. Most
probably, no one would want to prefer products which are made from
traditional ways, as they also usually take a long time to produce the
goods. Along with this, one more possible reason could be that, even in
these days, authentic products or products that are made from
traditional old ways are expensive. So why would anyone want to buy
expensive things[other than rich people].
Dual-Use Concern
AI technologies developed for beneficial purposes can also be used for malicious ends. Dual-use concerns involve the risk of AI being exploited for warfare, surveillance, or other activities that may have negative consequences for society.
It is possible that this assertion may sound implausible, as the advancements in AI development could potentially result in impenetrable software security measures beyond human comprehension.
In the same vein let’s not forget that AI is a product of human ingenuity, which makes it vulnerable to manipulation for nefarious activities such as surveillance, warfare, and other forms of societal harm. It is imperative that we actively monitor AI development and usage to ensure that it is utilized in a responsible and ethical manner that promotes the greater good.Conclusion
Based on the exploration of various aspects of AI, including its
potential benefits and associated risks, it is evident that artificial
intelligence is a powerful and transformative technology. The positive
aspects include increased efficiency, improved decision-making, and
advancements in various fields such as healthcare, finance, and
transportation. However, the deployment of AI also raises significant
concerns, ranging from job displacement and ethical considerations to
issues related to privacy, bias, and the concentration of power.
In conclusion, the future of AI is filled with promise, but its
responsible and ethical development is essential to harness its benefits
while mitigating potential risks. Balancing technological advancement
with considerations for social, economic, and ethical implications will
be key in realizing the full potential of artificial intelligence in a
manner that benefits humanity as a whole.
This document was written by Sangram S. Borate
Last edited on 01/27/2024
Borate, S. (2024). AI and Humanity: Understanding the Benefits and Risks [preprint]. Computer Science.
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