The rise of artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is all around us, from our houses, to our cars, to our schools; It controls us.

The use of technology for programming first began in 1951, in a chess-playing program by the university of Manchester. Only five years later, the term we know as AI was officially coined by a professor called John McCarthy on the first ever conference about artificial intelligence and the way in which computers process knowledge. Since then, we have used this term to describe a variety of machines in our household, personal and professional life.

Since the early days, AI has been constantly creating more jobs. For example, at a supermarket, hired programmers have reduced the middlemen in the purchasing of goods with simple online shopping. Even though the AI is reducing jobs, such as those of who promote goods, and persuade you to buy more, it is simultaneously creating even more jobs. In fact, those jobs that it creates require more training which therefore encourages people to peruse a higher education. Nonetheless, there is still the need for people to actually organise and ship orders, which is why people with a lower education still have many job opportunities.

A huge advantage to the AI is how everything is automated. Take the new Tesla models for examples, one can put it in autopilot and take a nap during their ride, resting assured that his or her car will take them to their destination in the safest manner possible. The following image shows a woman in her Tesla, with autopilot on, while doing he make up. For many, this is the dream: having your own personal vehicle, without actually driving it and without the need of a chauffeur; in a perspective, in creates more time. Even though this “lack of control” might be comforting to some, it cannot be generalised. The firewall system in these vehicles is quite complete for an average human being. However, if we are talking about a celebrity like the president of the United States, this average firewall system in not enough protection, and the lack of control could result in a cyber-attack leading to kidnap or even death.

In other aspects, this technology can be extremely useful. A stenographer is a person who works for the court of law, and their job is to quickly and efficiently type/ record all the information that is being said and shown. If properly used, AI could be implemented to record everything, reducing the number of personnel required in a court of law which could be crucial in a closed case.

Another case where AI has only proved to be a success is with robot vacuum cleaners. The leading brand for this technology is the Roomba. With technology that effectively connects your phone to a small vacuum, you can have more time for matters that actually need your attention, unlike vacuuming.

However, all modern-day technologies come with risks, and we must take all precautions in order to avoid them. No matter how protected our technology is, there is a way to get through it. With this in mind, we must now reflect, what technologies are making us vulnerable to others?