Fear is giving way to appreciation as benefits of this technology start to materialize. Perhaps the most important thing would be to step back, reflect on the positive and negative impacts that AI has had on our society, workplaces, and schools so far.
This, in my view, is one of the most significant advantages of AI in any workplace: handling repetitive tasks. I've seen how it enables employee time to be freed up for more creative and strategic work. This change has really made a lot of jobs more exciting and full of meaning lately.
I do think AI is also innovating customer service with instant replies and solutions provided around the clock. It's just amazing how such technology can go through terabytes of data within seconds to bring about decision-making in multiple fields.
Jobs are really at stake, and I personally feel we have to face that threat straight on. Yes, AI creates new jobs, at the same time, has been making some job roles absolutely redundant. I worry about those who may not be able to adapt so quickly to this fast-changing job market.
Of course, there is also the question of privacy and data security. With AI systems processing so much personal information, it is difficult not to but wonder if at times we are merely trading our privacy in place of convenience.
It's personalizing education in ways which we couldn't envision earlier. Adaptive learning programs will adapt content to each student's pace and style, which I find fantastic for improving general scholastic performance. AI-powered tools also make teachers' tasks much easier while grading assignments and notes, hence giving them more time to be "actual" teachers.
Indeed, I do fear that it will enable most cheaters or plagiarists to turn out to be more creative.
Another point is the risk of over-reliance on technology.
For my part, the most important thing is not to lose sight: human interaction and critical thinking skills are vital in education.
From smart devices in the home to AI-powered health diagnostics, I am in awe of all the ways this technology has improved the quality of life. It's helping us fight some of humanity's huge problems, such as climate change, by optimizing energy use and predicting natural disasters.
The likelihood of AI repeating biases in its training data is serious. For that reason, I think we need to be very vigilant on all levels to make sure that AI systems are fair and unbiased.
There is also the question of accountability: who is responsible when AI makes a mistake?
As we continue to embrace and integrate AI into our daily lives, I think the important thing is the need to strike a balance by embracing the benefits coupled with an active proportion of addressing the challenges.
I look forward to further discourses among tech developers, policymakers, and the public so that AI will be for the betterment of all people.
