Artificial Intelligence Gone Wrong
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken over the world. AI is the development of smart machines that can carry out tasks that require human intelligence. This can range from inputting data into a system, answering actual or hypothetical questions, and creating images from thin air. AI has helped us move into a more efficient and possibly effective way of doing work. With only a couple of clicks, one can get their hands on a big load of information.
Over time, AI has become a prominent aspect of our day-to-day lives. Between 2010 and 2011, Siri became an important aspect of Apple’s success. By either clicking on the home button or even saying the words “Hey Siri”, this virtual assistant was able to directly download apps to now be able to send messages, set up meetings, and so much more. Since then the world has continued to develop and strengthen AI. In 2013, Google gave the world Google Duplex, “a new technology for conducting natural conversations” (Leviathan and Matias). We no longer needed to make appointments ourselves we had AI help us.
Google Assistant calling a restaurant for a reservation — YouTube
Obviously, as humans, we are constantly seeking more. Just last year, Chat GPT was launched to the public. This marked a huge milestone in the AI world. Everyone was surprised and excited about Chat and all of its wonders. However, the excitement quickly ended.
The Jevons Paradox was first introduced by William Stanley Jevons who “suggests that increases in efficiency can lead to an increase of consumption, thereby offsetting the gains made by the efficiency improvements” (Schram).
With the disruption of AI, our demands have increased, upsetting higher energy consumption and putting jobs in danger. AI is extremely helpful when it comes to taking over boring, repetitive jobs. This helps the company free up a worker, allowing them to have a more meaningful impact on the organization. The more we can have computers take over simple, human tasks, the more a company can get done. However, the economy has lost over 4,000 jobs due to AI. The more we continue to improve AI, there is a high possibility that people will be left without a job.
In addition, AI has both positive and negative effects on schoolwork. If there is a topic that a student does not understand, they can get a simplified version of the topic with Chat GPT. Or if they need to add some sass to their resume, Chat is a great resource. This does bring up the question of to what extent should students use Chat. Chat GPT is at its fourth version, allowing a more in-depth response. Although students have used it for their benefit, they have taken advantage. Students are now using Chat GPT to write essays, find answers to their problem sets, etc. Although AI has gotten humanity this far, it is bringing us back down.
Personally, there was no way we could have prevented this. We constantly want more and want to make our lives easier. However, by doing so, we are just harming ourselves. Young kids can’t live off their iPads now, schooling has become technology-centric, and our jobs include some sort of technology background. This was bound to happen at some point. It’s more so of learning how to deal with these changes and how to make sure they aren’t impacting our sanity and our environment. “The future looked bright until AI decided to Ctrl+Alt+Defeat our hopes and dreams” (Chat GPT).
Artificial Intelligence and the Jevons Paradox (linkedin.com)
How artificial intelligence is transforming the world | Brookings
Google Duplex: An AI System for Accomplishing Real-World Tasks Over the Phone — Google Research Blog
The AI Boom Could Use a Shocking Amount of Electricity | Scientific American
