Watching Frontline: In the Age of AI totally changed the way I think about artificial intelligence and machine learning. Prior to watching the documentary, I mainly saw AI as something that powers ChatGPT and other chatbots, something that creates algorithms and can create images and videos. After watching the documentary, I realized that artificial intelligence is constantly evolving every aspect of society, including healthcare, transportation, national security, the economy and even democracy. While AI does offer amazing opportunities, it also opens the door to serious ethical and social challenges that may be unavoidable.
One of the biggest takeaways for me was the enormous potential AI has to improve peoples lives. The documentary showed how machine learning can actually detect diseases such as breast cancer earlier than doctors and the current precautions. AI might be able to analyze thousands of medical images and identify patterns all at once that us humans may miss. Which made me think about Neuralink which is a neurotechnology company that was founded by Elon Musk that created an implantable brain computer. Their main piece of technology is called Telepathy that is implanted into the skull to translate brain signals into digital actions, allowing people who have severe physical disabilities to control computers or mobile devices whilst only using their thoughts. Which in both instances is extremely interesting. AI is also making transportation safer through self driving cars which has the potential to decrease accidents caused by human error. Though I don't necessarily love the idea of self driving cars, I do think it could be helpful in the long run. I was very surprised by how fast AI has advanced and how many industries are starting to rely on it to solve complex problems.
Along with that, the documentary emphasized a few concerns that I found alarming. One of the biggest issue is privacy. Currently many companies already collect a large amount of personal data, many of the times without us even realizing. The documentary explained that companies will use the data they collect in order to predict our behavior, personalize content and influence our belief systems. While personalized resources can make everyday life easier, it also raises a major concern about how much control we as individuals have over our personal information. Which that made me truly think more meticulously about what app I use and the websites I view and how much personal information I am intentionally sharing.
The documentary also talked about national security, specifically the increasing competition between the United States and China to become the front runner in artificial intelligence. This shocked me because I had not considered AI to be a geopolitical issue. Both countries acknowledge AI to have the potential to aid military's, grow the economy and grow technology. However the documentary showed how AI powered surveillance systems like facial recognition can impede on our personal freedom when they are used without careful management. While AI can improve public safety, it also has the potential to infringe privacy and limit civil liberties.
One last issue that truly stood out to me was identity theft. AI systems rely on major amounts of personal data, hackers or cyber criminals have more of an opportunity to steal personal information. AI is constantly being used to create scams and phishing emails so convincing you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between real and fake. As AI continues to be integrated into our society it is extremely important for individuals to have strong security over their information, and educate society on how to protect their information.
Though we have touched on major issues that AI could bring, one of my biggest concerns about artificial intelligence is the possibility of AI becoming sentient. Sylvain Lavelle explains that artificial sentience would essentially allow AI technology to mimic human emotions, experiences and even the possibility of consciousness. However, the article demonstrates that human actions are driven by intentionality, real intentions, desires and beliefs and even if AI starts to act like a person, it doesn't fully have those qualities. Even with that information, I can't help but think about the movie Ex Machina, in which an AI robot created by a tech CEO becomes so convincing and manipulative that it is almost impossible to tell the difference between human and technology. As AI continues to advance, the possibility of technology appearing as human is extremely horrifying.
Overall, Frontline: In the Age of AI showed me that AI is not fully good or entirely bad. Like most advances in technology, it purpose is based on how we decide to use it. AI does have the potential to revolutionize so many aspects of society, but as it continues to be integrated into our everyday lives society as a whole needs to be responsible with this technology and we need to protect our own rights and ensure that AI benefits everyone and not just a select few.
Source
The machine with a human face: From artificial intelligence to artificial sentience - PMC. (n.d.-d). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7225510/
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