What Is AI and How Is It Going to Change Our Future

Over the past few months, you might have noticed more and more people talking about Artificial Intelligence (AI). If your Thanksgiving was anything like mine, the topic of AI probably took over the whole dinner, with everyone fighting over its importance and how it has made their lives easier while you’re there clueless about it. Well, I wanted to find out more, so after some digging, here’s what I learned about this evolving technology that many believe is going to change our future.

What Even Is AI?

AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is a collective name for machines and systems that can learn to think, act, and react like humans. Technically speaking, AI doesn’t really learn; it’s programmed to mimic human intelligence to the closest degree possible. So, while it can stimulate human intelligence in problem-solving, learning, reasoning, and reactions, it’s important to remember that AI is still evolving and will continue to adapt over time.

How Popular Is AI?

AI isn’t a new thing; scientists and programmers have been experimenting with AI for several decades, dating back to the 1950s. But earlier systems of AI naturally needed a lot to develop, especially since we were just beginning to properly tinker around with computers. But since we’re well into the age of technology, and dare I say, we’ve started to rely on it for everything, AI has suddenly become popular.

In fact, while some of us think AI’s just beginning to emerge, it has already branched enough that we’re using it regularly. The cars we drive, the smartphones we use, and heck, even those fancy laundry machines and refrigerators are instilled with AI—we just didn’t realize how immersed we’re already in AI.

Currently, AI is used in almost everything, including programmed systems and installed applications. Companies have also introduced chatbots and online forums where you can converse with an artificial intelligently created assistant. It’s like talking to a robot, but one that’s much better at reading between the lines. It’s also being used by the healthcare (and other) industries for automation and personalizing processes that usually take longer.

So, it suffices to say that AI has always existed; it’s only now becoming popular enough to freak us out.

Is AI Going To Stump Human Creativity?

I’ve been noticing this trend for a few weeks now; youngsters are constantly relying on AI to power their creativity. Got a school project? Don’t worry, they’ll ask AI. Want to ask a friend out on a date? Open an AI bot, and you’ll get the perfect proposal. It’s not just kids; adults are using AI on a regular basis at work and in other life affairs, too. They’re doing so because it’s effortless and timeless, and it avoids all the hubbubs of having to come up with a brilliant plan on your own. Still, then again, it’s also making more and more people reliant on driving their creativity from AI.

When AI has progressed enough, there’s a high chance we’ll willingly stop relying on ourselves because AI is faster and more unique. That being said, it’s not like AI has entirely driven us from ourselves. We’re still capable of being equally creative, considering AI has a long road to go. Besides, we currently have the freedom to be creative ourselves. So don’t worry; your kids might be raving about AI, but it’s not like they will suddenly stop being human.

Is AI Going To Take Over Work?

We’re all taught to work all our lives to support a living for us and our kids. Work is all we adults do, and continue to do so until we’re well into our 70s. But it seems like more and more workplaces are encouraging the use of AI, especially fields that rely on human intelligence more than manual labor because that’s cheaper and more efficient and gets the work done in half the time. And although I thought I was set to retire in a decade or two, AI is progressing this quickly, and this sincerely has made me panic, too. If everyone’s relying on AI to get the job done, doesn’t that mean we’re going to lose our jobs? Think about it: if our bosses start leaning toward AI for everything we’re doing, they could just cut the losses and start using AI all the time. Even employees are beginning to rely on AI for work. Because let’s be real here: work has us exhausted all the time, so wouldn’t cracking up a cold one and letting an AI chatbot handle all your work sound like a dream come true?

But don’t fret because I don’t think AI will replace human labor outright. At least not yet. While AI certainly is weeding out repetitive jobs (sales representatives, receptionists, marketers, etc.), it’s also birthing a new industry. This means even if AI were to replace all the existing jobs (which, rest assured, isn’t happening), it’ll still create plenty more, so we won’t be entirely out of work.

The Drawbacks Of AI

AI has countless and unimaginable benefits, but it also has equally more downsides. While AI is flourishing rapidly and is set to take center stage in the future, there’s so much about it that we’ve yet to be comfortable with.

The biggest question about AI involves ethics. Since AI isn’t inherently independent but controlled by programmers, it could mean we’re left to the mercy of strangers. There’s also a high chance only a select group of people controls AI, so it could stir trouble for the public, especially if the authorities begin confidently using AI. We wouldn’t even know who’s handling what AI, which brings us to our second problem: privacy.

AI is already invading people’s privacy; sadly, it’s not painting a pretty picture. AI can generate fake content and alter real content to a specific degree, so you don’t know if something in front of your eye is real. Heck, AI has evolved enough that I could receive a call from my kid but wouldn’t know there’s a scammer behind it because AI can mimic people’s appearance and mannerisms.

For now, the safest bet is to tread carefully. I wouldn’t go on to say that we should outright ban AI since it is useful to great degrees. We’ve just got to be careful with how we’re using AI.