The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Humanity: An Academic Essay

Desklib provides past papers and solved assignments for students. This essay explores the impact of AI on humanity.

Academic Essay
“Is artificial intelligence a threat or an aid to the future of the humanity?”
1

Table of Contents
Introduction..............................................................................................................................................3
Discussion................................................................................................................................................3
Conclusion...............................................................................................................................................6
Reference List..........................................................................................................................................8
2

Introduction
Artificial Intelligence is the process that has allowed the human race in lessening their efforts
in not only doing their daily life activity but also in making future predictions. In this study,
various scholarly articles and journals will be discussed in order to understand the manner in
which Artificial Intelligence can harm the humans in future. This study will be discussing the
pros and cons of the advancement of technology. The process of artificial intelligence and the
ways in which it is creating astonishing achievements in the present society is leaving a
benchmark for normal human, which is not that easy to surpass. The study will even conclude
the dark part of this technological advancement, which can even create crisis to the human
race itself.
Discussion
In the present scenario, it can be understood that technology has created such milestones,
which did not exist earlier. The journey of Artificial Intelligence started in the year 1955 by
John McCarthy. This ideation of giving the sense to technology to think and respond to it was
a marvellous idea, which shaken the world until now. The power of giving ability to
technologies to think, listen, and even speak has massified the world largely. The
advancement of technology and its evolution played an essential role in globalizing the
world. The ability of AI is not more limited to record, store or access data but also to perform
activities that are mainly done by humans. The term AI itself creates a definition, which
states that the intelligence is not of its own. The machines are given the ability to think and
even to improve it. As per the statement of EM360 (2018), “Artificial intelligence (AI) is
coming to get us”.
The AI can be both positive and negative to the human species. In various science fiction
story it is observed that machineries or robotics to a few higher level and as it is known that
movies are the reflection of the era, it can be understood he level of AI that can be found after
fifty years. Preparation of computer algorithms that can give the ability to perform computers
like humans is AI and this can even create emotions but in an artificial form within the
machine. Gaming is another platform that has evolved a lot with the alignment of AI in it. It
has not only created huge craze among the gamers but has even increased the rate of money
in the present moment. Doctors are even assuming that in the new future AI is going to take
3

over their professions. Solving complex problems are even becoming easier with the help of
AI (Nilsson, 2014).
Not only here but also in the flied of sport, AI is setting miles stones. In fact, machineries are
performing better than average humans, which can even become a threat in the coming years.
Various data that are gathered by different social media platforms and e-businesses platform
are becoming the main source of information for the developers of AI. In the process of
telecommunication, AI is even playing a vital role in the present moment. The computers
make the calls that are auto generated and the feedbacks that are received from the customers
are decoded as per the need, so that it can be understood from the side of the business.
However, the process of AI needs huge investment of time and gathering of genuine data. It
is essential for the developers of the software to use it for the betterment of the human race.
It is becoming a sphere of confusion for the human race whether it will be possible for them
to stay smarter than the machines that they are using. In the present scenario, it is a doubt that
is creating huge turbulence in the computer science sectors. As per the study of
Drrajivdesaimd.com (2019), “Technology is giving life the potential to flourish like never
before…or to self-destruct.” Human race still fears the future ability that computers can
perform, which might become a great threat to the existence of its own maker. Another
reason for the extinction of the whole species can be from the overpowering thinking and
doing ability of machines. In present moment, AI can be found in phones and even in
airplanes. The autopilot is a part of AI and in phones, the assistant of it acts as AI.
AI is generally segmented in three different parts as per their working and responding ability.
In the part of Weak AI, the machine or the technology is given the power to recognize face
and to make searches for the operator, while General AI has the ability to make creative
thinking like playing chess and even to solve equations. In this process of AI, the algorithm is
such so that it develops skills for solving difficult situations. At present in most of the parts
around the globe, AI is not only aiding humans in solving their work but also makes proper
monitoring of every action that is near to it (Mosier and Skitka, 2018). The belief of
McCarthy of replicating human intelligence by a computer has given the ability to human
race to think beyond the human imagination level.
In present moment, the question arises that, whether the developers of AI will be able to
control it or not. Moreover, the employment can be a major threat because companies will
shift their preference from human labour to technical labour. This can create immense effect
4

on the future generations. Robotics in present era is creating immense attractions for various
MNC and this is limiting the scope for human labours, creating imbalances in economy. On
the other hand, the cost of operation is still huge, which limits most of the businesses to
afford it from core. Though the database is remaining a part of AI, which the businesses can
access from anywhere they want, which even creates scope for betterment for many. Laws
are even developed for a robots giving them their identity, which is similar like any other
human rights and animal rights (Balkin, 2017). This showed the manner how society is
accepting these manmade identities, which can perform actions much efficiently than that of
human race.
As mentioned in the study of Future of Life Institute (2016), it is understood that the
development of AI must be capped before it takes over the human intelligence level. It is
becoming essential for the developers of the software to understand the ability that should be
given to machineries only as per their needs. AI can even be the best thing that can help the
complete globe to eradicate poverty and even war but at the same time, it can be the only
reason for it. AI in weapons are even creating massive risks to the humans because if it is not
controlled in the manner it is required, then it can lead to AI was and even lead to mass
deaths. Defence Advanced research Projects Agency (DARPA) has invested a more of $2
billion on “AI Next”, which is for strengthen the capability of security areas of nation. The
system is evolved in such a manner so that the people can rely more on the artificial
intelligence (Agency and Us, 2019).
Laziness or inability to work is another problem that can be found among people in most of
the part of the world. It is understood from the study of Drrajivdesaimd (2019), which in
present moment around 63 percent of the people does not even know that they are using AI in
their daily life. In the article of Khaleej Times by Nasir (2019), it is understood that CEO of
Black Cube Solutions firmly believes that dependency on AI can make people lazy but it
completely depends on the time that they give to it. Dependency is becoming essential, which
are not only creating health issues among the users of it but also psychological issues. AI is
allowing the users to create their own world and to live in it and this is creating separation
from the real realm. Our lives and society is changing and it is the only reason that is creating
this change.
Artificial Intelligence is becoming a strong weapon for many businesses in Dubai to retain
customers and even to engage them within the business for a long term (Nasir, 2019). The
5

patients are even being operated with the help of robotics, which shows the immense power
of perfection that is given to computers. The security areas are even becoming dependant on
the AI for its better thinking ability. This shows that people are not only aligning their duties
with it but also taking suggestions from it to make better performance. On the other hand, the
article of Terry Mansfield in Medium (2018), mentions that the power of self-learning of
computers itself is one of the greatest fear that the humans must understand while operating
it. Additionally, the article of Forbes (2019), by Bernard Marr states that the good of AI can
outweigh only if the bad of it are managed in appropriate manner.
Moreover mentioned in the same article of Forbes (2019), Russian President stated,
“Artificial intelligence is the future, not only for Russia, but for all humankind. It comes with
enormous opportunities, but also threats that are difficult to predict. Whoever becomes the
leader in this sphere will become the ruler of the world”. This helps in understanding the risk
that humanity can face the threat if AI is in the wrong hands. Misalignment between the goals
and the machines can be one of the major areas that the developers of the artificial
intelligence need to take care of. It is becoming essential to understand the emotions that are
hidden inside the commands that are given to computers. In case of any misinterpretation of
the goal can lead to serious injury to the user of it.
Self-operated cars if given any command to reach any destination in a quick span of time can
be possible but can also be seriously injurious to the user of the car. Humans value human
life, which might not be the same for computers. Various aspects are there that the users of
such AI devices need to take care while operating them in order to receive the best results
from it. It is becoming essential for the developers of the software that are coding and
decoding the human messages to understand the emotions and to respond accordingly, or else
the devices might perform activities that are not required. While going through the article of
Forbes (2019), it can be understood that AI need to be developed in positive manner while
minimizing the destructive part of it.
Conclusion
From the above study, it is clearly understood that advancement in technologies are both
good and bad for the human race. It is evident that the more the people are dependent on the
smart devices, the more they lose to performing ability. It is even understood that while
developing such software, it is essential for the software developers to cap the ability of them
6

algorithms or else it can become more able than that of humans. There is still a dilemma
whether this advancement can create betterment to the humans or mislead them to their
destruction. It can even be concluded that the more the time will take its course, the more the
people will be in the clutches of AI. It is relevant to limit the doing ability of computers in
order to control them accordingly. The study even explains that the devices they use in their
daily life, which can be both positive and negative for them, are monitoring people and their
activity information.
7

Reference List
Agency, D. and Us, W. (2019). AI Next Campaign . [online] Darpa.mil. Available at:
https://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/ai-next-campaign [Accessed 2 Apr. 2019].
Balkin, J.M., 2017. 2016 Sidley Austin Distinguished Lecture on Big Data Law and Policy:
The Three Laws of Robotics in the Age of Big Data. Ohio St. LJ, 78, p.1217.
Drrajivdesaimd.com. (2019). ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) – Dr Rajiv Desai. [online]
Available at: http://drrajivdesaimd.com/2017/03/23/artificial-intelligence-ai/ [Accessed 2
Apr. 2019].
EM360. (2018). The 7 stages of the future evolution of Artificial Intelligence. [online]
Available at: https://www.em360tech.com/tech-news/tech-features/artificial-intelligence/
[Accessed 2 Apr. 2019].
Forbes.com. (2019). Is Artificial Intelligence Dangerous? 6 AI Risks Everyone Should Know
About. [online] Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2018/11/19/is-
artificial-intelligence-dangerous-6-ai-risks-everyone-should-know-about/#26716c3a2404
[Accessed 2 Apr. 2019].
Future of Life Institute. (2016). Benefits & Risks of Artificial Intelligence - Future of Life
Institute. [online] Available at: https://futureoflife.org/background/benefits-risks-of-artificial-
intelligence/?cn-reloaded=1 [Accessed 2 Apr. 2019].
Medium. (2018). Will AI Cause The Destruction Of The Human Race?. [online] Available at:
https://medium.com/datadriveninvestor/will-a-i-cause-the-destruction-of-the-human-race-
6dbf4e96dd8b [Accessed 2 Apr. 2019].
Mosier, K.L. and Skitka, L.J., 2018. 10 Human Decision Makers and Automated Decision
Aids: Made for Each Other?. Automation and human performance: Theory and applications,
p.120.
Nasir, S. (2019). Is AI making humans lazy? Here’s what UAE residents say. [online]
Khaleej Times. Available at: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/dubai/Is-AI-making-
humans-lazy-Here-what-UAE-residents-say [Accessed 2 Apr. 2019].
Nilsson, N.J., 2014. Principles of artificial intelligence. Morgan Kaufmann.
8