As I continue my little obsession with the growth of AI and what the future holds, I try to imagine a lot of likely scenarios for how the future ultimately plays out. Of course, our imaginations are a lot more dramatic than how things ultimately play out in reality but it has not hindered me regardless.
The rise and integration of AI has been relatively rapid, and not unexpected. We're usually head first when it comes to the commercialization of innovation before we consider its consequences. Even when the drawbacks are put into consideration, they are rarely enough to halt an instrument that is seen as a significant edge over competition.
Of course as time passes and the consequences become more apparent to us, then we consider action. Once the damage has been done there is ever rarely admittance on our parts, and even more difficult is a deliberate effort to remedy the situation without some form of economic or socio-political gain.
To put it bluntly, a reversal to pre-AI times will be impossible with the level of progress we have made today. What has been discussed is integration, and this is where we have to define to what extent.
I don't believe AI should be seen as a partner of progress (this may change), but a tool. The difference lies in usage and extent of usage. We can always apply AI to make our lives better, but when it becomes something that the vast majority of the populace struggles to cope without, then I believe we will have a problem on our hands.