Technology is making leaps and bounds. Now we can see and talk to someone from the other side of the world. We can order everything, with a few clicks. Throughout human history, it has never been so easy to connect and consume at the same time.
Artificial intelligence is now at the center of modern developments.
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI from Vision intelligence);
Behind every type of artificial intelligence is an algorithm, a programmed code meant to simulate human intelligence in machines. Some of the most common applications of artificial intelligence include natural language processing, speech recognition, and machine vision. From a practical point of view, AI helps businesses optimize their products, manage their inventory and/or accounting.
In general, artificial intelligence reproduces actions that would normally require a person with a degree of know-how to perform. So the intention of artificial intelligence is almost always to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness in decision making.
Unfortunately, this does not mean that it always works morally.
In fact, many of the programmers who "write" artificial intelligence algorithms ignore the ethical part. After all, they are programmers, not philosophers. They are the people who try to make sure that the code they write saves time, money and effort for their employers.
To date, and from many opinions, we have hardly touched the surface of artificial intelligence. Lately, we have seen positive and negative effects. Here are some examples of how artificial intelligence can bring up ethical dilemmas.
Racism & Inequality
In artificial intelligence, racism appears as an unintended consequence of optimization. However, artificial intelligence reflects existing decision-making mechanisms and thought processes.
In fact, artificial intelligence not only promotes the privileged treatment of certain individuals in society, but also exacerbates it. In the range of privileges, most consumer applications of artificial intelligence tend to benefit the rich, whites, men and the able.
For example, Facebook has a long history of racism, and sexism built into its ad serving algorithm. In some cases, advertisements for specific jobs were observed that were shown mainly to Spanish-speaking peopletreatmentor differences in housing prices based on whether a person is of African American descent.
Apart from this, many of the existing artificial intelligence algorithms have difficulty understanding non-Western accents, and differentiating Asian faces.
Automation and Unemployment
Artificial intelligence enthusiasts have long advertised how to get rid of monotonous work. But they do not mention the consequences.
Many jobs will now be obsolete due to automation, but this will have an impact on the poor who will be disproportionately affected first.
Much of the developing world still relies on manual labor for a living. Often a symptom of inequality, or even lack of access to education, makes more technical work inaccessible to too many people.
When artificial intelligence takes over the jobs held by traditionally low-income workers, they will be the first to lose their income and the last to benefit from the "revolutionary algorithm".
Όπλα
It's no secret that much of the commercial technology we enjoy today comes from research and experimentation done in the military. Like the upcoming one delivered with drones. If anything, preparation for war has always prompted states to invest in various types of technology. One of them is artificial intelligence.
In fact, artificial intelligence is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, face recognition technology has allowed governments to quickly identify terrorists even across international borders. However, the same technology is also used to locate protesters and activists in volatile countries.
In addition, case studies have already been conducted with drones and robotic dogs used as weapons. If left unchecked, it will open the door to targeted killings and attacks. Not to mention the use of armed drones by America and collateral damage.
Robots and sex
Sex now uses tactile technology, virtual reality and even tongue stimulation, to simulate sexual intercourse with machines.
In fact, sex with robots has benefits, such as lack of risk for sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, it can also lead to a potential reduction in victims of human trafficking. However, a new Pandora box opens.
In a world that is increasingly eroding the values of human beings, the use of sex robots can increasingly blur the boundaries of consensus. A robot will never say no…
Close
All of the above ethical dilemmas should be taken seriously as they affect people and societies.
It is important for world leaders and technology innovators to work together to move forward at a pace that does not sacrifice humanity and dignity. This can be utopian, because anyone developing a new technology is not going to collaborate and share their idea with others.
Like all types of technology, artificial intelligence is one tool that can be used to change our world.
At the moment we have the power to choose whether this change is for the better or for the worse.
