Let's talk about AI: #1 The yin and yang of AI

Intro

Greetings and welcome to the inaugural segment of our series of articles on artificial intelligence. Throughout this series, I aim to delve into the realm of AI, examining its definition, the benefits and drawbacks it presents, and my personal employment of it as both an analyst and technical writer within the IT industry. Our initial installment will be focused on my unique perspective regarding the role of AI in our world.

In recent years, the field of artificial intelligence has undergone a remarkable transformation, reshaping our daily lives and professional activities in unprecedented ways. As a result, AI has emerged as a prominent topic of discussion among researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders. However, the rapid evolution of the technology has also brought with it a series of ethical, social, and economic dilemmas, which must be carefully examined and resolved. Therefore, in today's article, I would like to explore the critical issues raised by AI, discussing why they need to be addressed and how we can begin to do so effectively.

So what about yin?

Have you ever considered what it would be like to visit your doctor and have the latest AI technologies at their disposal provide you with the best possible care? Believe it or not, it's already happening! Today, doctors are able to conduct preventive tests and upload the data to a computer, where an AI algorithm analyzes it using machine learning to generate a diagnosis with a certain level of probability. But as much as this sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, this is the reality that we are facing right now.

AI is transforming healthcare by enabling early diagnosis and personalized treatment options that improve patient outcomes. The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, USA, is one example of an institution that is using AI to help doctors detect heart disease earlier. The clinic employs an AI-powered system called Eko, which analyzes heart sounds to detect abnormalities that may be indicative of heart disease. This sort of early-stage diagnosis means doctors can begin treatment sooner and thus ultimately increase the patients’ chances for positive outcomes. Similarly, the Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden is using AI algorithms to analyze medical images and improve the accuracy of breast cancer diagnosis. By leveraging AI, medical professionals can make more accurate diagnoses, which leads to better treatment plans and overall quality of patient care.

In addition to healthcare, AI is transforming education by enabling personalized learning that caters to each student's individual needs. Adaptive learning systems powered by AI are helping students learn faster and better by providing content tailored to their individual learning styles. These systems are designed to adapt and evolve as students progress, ensuring that they receive the most appropriate and effective instruction possible.

Finally, AI is playing a crucial role in the tech industry. It helps us detect and prevent fraudulent activities and cyber attacks, which helps keep our data secure. Companies can leverage the technology to monitor large amounts of data in real time, identify anomalies, and act quickly to prevent potential security breaches. As cyber threats continue to evolve and become more sophisticated, such security measures are becoming increasingly important to safeguard our digital assets.

TIL: EKO SENSORA™ helps clinicians identify disease earlier with intelligent software trained from a library of nearly 80,000 unique heart sounds.[1]

So in summary, we can benefit from AI in various ways. It is revolutionizing healthcare by enabling early diagnosis and personalized treatment options, improving patient outcomes. AI-powered systems such as Eko are helping doctors detect heart disease earlier, while AI algorithms are improving the accuracy of breast cancer diagnosis through the analysis of medical images. In education, AI-powered adaptive learning systems are providing personalized learning, catering to individual students' needs, leading to faster and better learning. Moreover, AI is playing a crucial role in the tech industry by detecting and preventing fraudulent activities and cyber attacks, safeguarding our digital assets. As we continue to develop and improve the technology, we can expect to see even more benefits and improvements in various fields.

And how about yang?

As AI continues to develop, it brings with it the potential for great benefits in various aspects of our lives. However, we must also consider the potential negative impact it could have. One of the biggest concerns is the displacement of jobs. As machines become more intelligent and capable, the potential to replace human workers increases in many industries, possibly setting us down the path widespread job loss and economic disruption.

This issue is not without complexity, and while it's a bold claim to say that machines can entirely replace human workers, there are examples of how AI and automation are already disrupting certain industries and displacing jobs. However, it's important to note that this can in turn create new jobs and opportunities in other areas, and it's up to society to find ways to manage these changes and minimize the negative effect.

TIL: There's no game more steeped in tradition and strategy than Go, right? It's been a few years since the best human players in the world were defeated by an AI. Meet AlphaGo, the groundbreaking AI program that mastered the game like no other. [2]

‍So, what is my biggest concern?

My biggest concern about artificial intelligence is the potential security risks associated with it. AI systems are vulnerable to hacking and other forms of cyber attacks, which could result in the theft of sensitive information or the disruption of critical infrastructure. These consequences could have severe impact on both individuals and organizations, including financial loss and compromised privacy.

I am concerned about the devastating consequences of using AI for cyber attacks and warfare. It is alarming to think that it could be utilized to launch targeted attacks on critical infrastructure such as power grids and transportation systems.

Moreover, I am worried about the potential misuse of personal data due to the increasing amount of information that AI systems collect about individuals. It is crucial to address the privacy implications of this data collection. Additionally, the use of artificial intelligence in policing, as seen in China's use of AI to control its citizens [3], raises concerns about government surveillance.

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into our lives, there is a concern that we may become excessively reliant on technology, potentially leading to a loss of critical skills and knowledge. For example, our reliance on GPS navigation systems may cause us to forget how to navigate using traditional methods such as maps and compasses, which could be problematic in situations where technology fails or is unavailable.

But is this a problem?

AI language models like ChatGPT are being banned from more and more American classrooms [4], mainly because some students are using them to cheat. This is a shame because these tools have the potential to help students improve their writing skills and make learning more fun. The models can give feedback on grammar, syntax, and vocabulary, and can create interactive experiences using chatbots and virtual assistants.

However, educators and administrators have some valid concerns about using AI in the classroom. They worry about privacy and security, as well as algorithmic biases. It's important to weigh the pros and cons before introducing such tools into the classroom. Cheating is definitely a concern since students could use ChatGPT to complete assignments without really understanding the material. This could give them an unfair advantage and devalue their education.[4]

We can't keep resisting AI forever. Big companies like Cognigy [5] and Microsoft [6] are already pouring loads of money into integrating GPT-like technology into their products [7].

But there are in fact valid concerns about using AI too much. We don't want to just ban it outright, but we do need to educate ourselves about the potential benefits and drawbacks of using these tools.

So, how can we make the most of AI while also being mindful of its potential risks? This is a tricky question that requires some serious thought. We need to stay up to date and informed, and be willing to adapt as new information becomes available.

What do you think? Do the positives outweigh the negatives?

Before we wrap up, let's talk about something exciting! In the next article, I'm going to spill the beans on my favorite AI tools that I use in the IT world. But let's be real, there's no right or wrong answer when it comes to using artificial intelligence. It is crucial to strike a balance between the benefits and the potential risks and drawbacks that come with it. The key is to stay informed and keep up with the latest advancements. This benefits us all in the long run, whether we're in the IT world or not. So stay tuned for my top picks!