Artificial Intelligence: A Threat or an Aid to the Future of Humans?

This essay delves into the multifaceted debate surrounding artificial intelligence (AI), examining its potential to either threaten or aid the future of humanity. It begins by defining AI and its various applications, including machine learning, big data analysis, and robotics, highlighting its increasing presence in diverse sectors such as business, healthcare, and finance. The essay then explores the benefits of AI, such as increased efficiency, automation of repetitive tasks, and advancements in medical technologies. However, it also addresses the potential threats, including job displacement, reduced human learning capabilities, and ethical concerns related to the misuse of AI. The essay presents arguments from both sides of the debate, referencing opinions from experts like Stephen Hawking, Bill Gates, and Elon Musk. The essay concludes that while over-reliance on AI poses risks, appropriate and ethical application of AI offers substantial benefits to humanity, suggesting that a balanced approach is crucial for navigating the future of AI.

Is artificial intelligence a
threat or an aid to the future
of humanity?

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Is artificial intelligence a threat or an aid to the future of humanity?..............................................1
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

Is artificial intelligence a threat or an aid to the future of humanity?
Artificial intelligence is a field of computer science that deals with developing of
machines that performs the task with human like intelligence. In simpler words, it is creating
computer systems and machines that works like natural person, uses its artificially created
intelligence in its operations. The operations of such artificially created machines are speech
recognition, problem solving, learning and producing accurate and efficient results. Today, the
term artificial intelligence is very critical to the technology industry. The artificial technologies
are developed for processing the activities which natural persons do like reasoning, generalising,
drawing meaning from different data or learning from previous mistakes etc. (Christine
Connolly, 2008). AI involves learning through intelligent softwares based on big data. Machine
learning analyses huge data to form meaningful conclusions from that. These technologies of big
data and AI have contributed a lot in machine learning. Machine learning could be treated as an
upgraded version of artificial intelligence. AI also performs problem solving task very
efficiently. AI makes detailed research about the data available, it finds different alternative
course of actions and analyse these courses of actions and draw the most accurate and relatable
conclusions. For instance, AI forms various mathematical proofs, visual objects are manipulated
by artificial intelligence. GPS, a general problem solver program developed back in the 1950s
uses trial and error method which solve various puzzles. One of the activity efficiently performed
by AI recently is reasoning that is drawing meaningful according to a particular situation. There
has been tremendous success in this aspect of artificial intelligence as various programs and
languages have been developed which allows AI to perform reasoning task very effectively and
efficiently. AI can be grouped into different categories such as Artificial Narrow intelligence
(ANI) in which a machine performs a specific function, Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) in
which the machines and softwares covers most of the characteristics of humans and last is
Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) in which machines performs superior to human brain (Yoel
Raban, Aharon Hauptman, 2018).
Rapid developments in the artificial technologies and creation of human like intelligence
have taken the business world by storm. The usefulness of such artificial technologies have
largely benefited almost all kinds of organisations around the world. Continuing advancement in
the AI is making it more powerful and accurate in the sense that it these technologies would be
of low error tendency as compared to human beings. If the programs and languages developed or
1

coded appropriately, it would result into more precise decisions in unbelievably less time. The
machine created with high intelligence don not get affected by the hostile and tortured
environments which largely influence the performances of the natural persons at the workplace.
Hostile environment includes unwanted behaviours of others which makes the job impossible for
individuals, torture, harassment etc. Example of this is analysis of big data through machine
learning which involves highly programmed softwares requiring no intervention of the humans.
Another aid of artificial intelligence to the humans is utilising artificial technologies at the places
where the activities are repetitive in nature and where the tasks are too long that tires the persons
in many labour oriented organisations, so that greater efficiency in the productivity of the
company could be achieved (Echeverría and Tabarés, 2016).
AI's capability of predicting the searching words for texts of humans and suggesting with
the words and phrases have made the lives of people very simpler. An example of this is
applications used in smartphones detecting the appropriate words and assisting its user while
chatting. Artificial intelligence through big data technologies handle huge data and records, it
very efficiently organises and manages these records and made them easily accessible to the
people as and when needed. This reduces the time, energy and cost of maintaining such big data
and provides accurate data and information whenever it is demanded by the different users.
Organisations uses MIS systems which integrates different data of various functions of
management in the company, several DBMS system used by the management of the big
companies for safely keeping large records of its clients and of itself.
Creation of Robots for performing the human like tasks have greatly affected the
manufacturing industry around the globe. Employment of large robotics, machines in the
factories have resulted into greater productivity for the owners that too with low error ratio. It
however, requires huge capital expenditure in employing such gigantic robots but the advantages
deriving from such machines are greater than its expenditure. For instance, auto mobile industry
mostly uses artificially machines and robots in its working area for assembling the parts of the
cars and heavy vehicles, robotic painting, welding etc. The designing of the vehicles too utilises
the artificial intelligence for avoiding any error in preparing the designs of the parts of vehicles.
Organisations in this industry uses collaborative robotic machines which work in cooperation
with other machines for carrying out the manufacturing process of the vehicles. This application
2

of artificial intelligence has resulted into reduced designing time, reduction in waste materials,
proper renew of the parts and products etc. (Stefanuk, Zhozhikashvili, 2002).
Medical sector has also incorporated different artificial intelligence technologies and
softwares in their operations. Implementation of robotic radiosurgery in the future will produce
more precise outcomes than humans. Technological and IT sector will significantly be impacted
the advancement in AI. IT and BPM sector jobs would be more efficient through AI and
automation because these machines do not get tired and do not need any break or holiday like
humans do. Hence, this will result in cost effectiveness and increased productivity. Banking and
financial sector is largely using artificial intelligence technologies and softwares in their working
for producing quick and accurate results. For instances, stock broking companies uses machines,
softwares and robots because of its ability of predicting data with low error, the trends and
conditions of global markets, trends of stock prices etc. It also helps in handling large financial
data very effectively thus, helping in producing financial statements accurately and precisely. A
very common example of AI in finance department is use of tally software for data entry of large
volume of transactions which helps in quick preparation of ledgers accounts and other financial
statements. It is a general AI which requires a bit of human intervention in its application in
business.
Digitalisation and improvement of AI in online platforms has resulted into the best
customer services for the organisations. Like Amazon uses various AI technologies for attracting
and retaining its customer base. Amazon company have flywheel method regarding its AI which
involves innovation in machine learning that energises the efforts of other department in the
company. AI and learning machines can be seen in Amazon's different products such as Alexa,
Amazon go store, Amazon recommendation engines etc. Apple and google also have AI
assistants such as Siri and google assistant, Microsoft's Cortana etc. Tesla's automatic driven cars
are also AI powered. There are different AI which creates music and develops visual
images(Halal, 2003).
Increasing use of artificial intelligence in day to day lives and in business environment
has created major threats for the human and a cause of danger to human existence in the future.
The biggest threat is loss of jobs due to increased utilization of these softwares and programmed
machines replacing the need of workers especially in manufacturing industry. Shifting of big
3

industrial houses from a labour intensive to capital intensive structure because of improvement
and personalization in machines and robots which meets their organisational requirements have
resulted into loss of employment for the people. This in future will increase the unemployment
rate across the world decreasing the living standards of the human. This will have large impact
on the world's economic growth in a broader sense.
Another threat is that advancement in AI is decreasing human's learning capabilities
because of very high dependency of humans on machines and other softwares. A very traditional
example is, humans now do not remember contact number of any other person due to extensive
of AI in smartphones applications. Other instances are, excessive use of Apple AI assistant Siri
has made people habitual of not using critical thinking skills. This trend over dependence over
machines will eventually lead to damage of thinking abilities of humans in near future thus,
making human species dumb in the mane of evolution. Google is a perfect example of destroying
the human's learning and thinking abilities.
Machines, software, robots and other AI applications do not promote creativity. These
machines perform the activities in the way they are programmed and codded to do. Robots
cannot use creative and out of the box thinking while solving problems.
There have been for and against arguments in respect of AI affecting the humans and its
impact in the future. Some technologists and scientists favours the AI and its applications in the
lives of human while some are against the use of AI in every aspect of human's life. As per the
reports of Forbes, there was an increase in investment in AI from about eight million dollars to
twelve millions dollars in the world(Artificial Intelligence Is Our Future. But Will It Save Or
Destroy Humanity, 2017).
World's renowned physicist Stephen Hawking have said that complete artificial
intelligence development will destroy the human race on earth. He was supported by world's
biggest leaders like Bill Gates and Elon Musk who have argued against the advancement and
development of AI(Is Artificial Intelligence A Threat Or An Opportunity, 2018). Scientists with
great minds are themselves developing machines, robots which will have their own thinking and
perception regarding different objects and situations and with this rapid rate of advancement in
AI technologies, it will definitely lead to creation of such AI which will surpass the human
intellect. It will affect humanity negatively in the future. A view on the applications of AI is that
4

if the power and technology goes to the wrong people , it will harm the business environment
and the society in general despite its various advantages to the humanity. AI, big data analytics
and machine learning are used by the people who misuses these technologies for their benefits.
Hackers could be an example for this situation. Hackers use AI and other supported technologies
for stealing data of companies and personal data of individuals in the form of cyber crime.
Excessive use of AI driven games and other products will create more health issues for
the humans in the future. Eyesight weakness, back problems, mental health issues such as
thinking abilities disorders, lack of creativity etc. will hamper the intellect and health of human
beings gradually in near future.
Looking at the pros of the artificial intelligence benefiting world is definitely an aid mote
than a threat. With some adaption of human intervention in artificial intelligence , the outcomes
are going to be tremendously advantageous to human race in the future. Business houses needs to
understand that humans interactions along with artificial intelligence assistants will provide them
ample business opportunities in retaining and satisfying their customers in the near future.
Healthcare sector especially is going to be benefited most in the coming year because of the
efficiency and accuracy of evolved technologies of AI in saving lives of the people. Also, people
are trying to develop machines that will be friendly to humans and will act as a great companion
to them. Atomic and weapon sector jobs that involves dangerous and life taking jobs would be
taken up by the robots and AI driven machines(Is Artificial Intelligence A Threat Or An
Opportunity, 2018).
So, from the above discussion, it can be concluded that appropriate application of AI in
lives will be an aid to humans, making their efforts more efficient. However, over utilisation of
AI technologies will be going to pose major threats for humanity in the future. Till the
development of artificial intelligence do not interfere in the jobs and privacy of the humans, it is
not going to be a matter of danger in the near future. But, developing machines which will have
its own thinking process just like the human on every matter of subject might destroy the
existence of natural persons and the robots and intelligent machines will become the enemy of
human race on earth as stated by the great physicist Stephen Hawking in one of the interview and
it is also fictionally depicted in the sci-fi films that making machines more intelligent than
humans will bring end to the human species.
5

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Adams, N. B. (2004), “Digital intelligence fostered by technology”, The Journal of Technology
Studies, Vol. 30 No. 2. pp. 93-97
Christine Connolly, (2008) "Artificial intelligence and robotic hand‐eye coordination", , Vol. 35
Issue: 6. pp.496-503, https://doi.org/10.1108/01439910810909484
Echeverría, J. and Tabarés, R. (2016), “Artificial intelligence, cybercities and technosocieties”,
Minds and Machines, Vol. 27 No. 3. pp. 473-493.
V. L. Stefanuk, A.V. Zhozhikashvili, (2002) "Productions and rules in artificial intelligence", ,
Vol. 31 Issue: 6. pp.817-826, https://doi.org/10.1108/03684920210432790
William E. Halal, (2003) "Artificial intelligence is almost here", , Vol. 11 Issue: 2. pp.37-
38, https://doi.org/10.1108/10748120310486771
Yoel Raban, Aharon Hauptman, (2018) "Foresight of cyber security threat drivers and affecting
technologies", , Vol. 20 Issue: 4. pp.353-363, https://doi.org/10.1108/FS-02-2018-0020
Online
Artificial Intelligence Is Our Future. But Will It Save Or Destroy Humanity. 2017. [Online].
Available through <https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence-is-our-future-but-will-it-
save-or-destroy-humanity>
Is Artificial Intelligence A Threat Or An Opportunity. 2018. [Online]. Available through
<https://www.expresscomputer.in/news/is-artificial-intelligence-a-threat-or-an-
aopportunity/18668/>
6