Cloud Hosting

Editorial board

The challenges were facing with the current spate of artificial intelligence are nothing new, even if its particularly more dangerous than previous iterations.

Experts and analysts are pointing to recent AI developments as both revolutionary and challenging.

Changes have been observed in the areas of robotics, computer vision, machine learning and natural language processing. Among the sectors of the economy being transformed by the changes are healthcare, finance, education and transportation.

The advancing sophistication of artificial intelligence programs is alarming. Language model GPT-3 (Generative Pre-trained Transformer 3) produces a text that not just resembles human speech, but also logical and contextually relevant responses to natural language questions.

Computer vision teaches computers to identify and categorize objects, people, and activities in pictures and movies.

People are also reading

Personalized medicine utilizes AI algorithms to create individualized treatment plans based on a patients unique health history and genetic makeup.

A primary concern is the difficulty of mapping how an AI program came to its conclusion. The objective is to create AI systems that are not just precise but also understandable and transparent. Thats part of the reason language model GPT-3 was released as open source.

In the rush to take advantage of these advances, one key factor comes to the fore of the discussion: Ethics. Ethical AI denotes creating and implementing systems that are transparent, accountable and aligned with human values and rights.

That final clause aligned with human values and rights reeks of despair rather than hope. Were unable to agree on very basic human values and rights. Humans have a history of technology outdistancing our tendency toward rash decisions and violence.

Can artificial intelligence be used for evil? It already has been. When we find how much of nefarious nature is going on just under the surface, we can imagine what worse might be going on. Have you or someone you know been part of class-action settlements against unauthorized use of data? Those awards are a way of buying off a public whose personal information has already been and continues to be compromised.

Data mining hasnt stopped and wont stop and is a direct path to changing our lives. Were losing the ability to control how our appearances and thoughts are portrayed. Even if you think these discoveries havent been used nefariously previously, you cant believe its terrors can remain dormant.

Manipulations of words, sounds and images have been accepted forever. We dont blink these days at a meme or a story or a video clip thats been manipulated. Sometimes we laugh, sometimes we get angry, and too often we dont realize the veracity of our source.

If you havent been fooled by something on the internet, its probably because you arent on the internet.

Being fooled by something you see, hear or read is not the worst thing that can happen, especially if you keep an open mind and understand theres a chance youve been fooled. From fake quotes to Photoshop forgeries to holograms of performers living and dead, artificial items have fooled everyone. Be open to possibilities.

Also, learn which entities you can trust. Sources that deserve your confidence havent just appeared out of the air in the last six months.

You know the meme that features a photo of Ian McKellen in costume as Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings accompanied by the (Yoda Star Wars) quote, Do, or do not. There is no try attributed to Dumbledore (from the Harry Potter books)?

Thats a fake. And you dont need to be an expert in AI to understand that.

Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!

Read more:

OUR VIEW: The challenge of dealing with AI - Herald & Review