Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed from a futuristic concept to an important part of our daily lives.
Lately, artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed from a futuristic concept to an important part of our daily lives. From virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa, to the AI algorithms that recommend our next favorite shows, it seems that every aspect of life is being subtly shaped by machines. As AI technology continues to evolve, there’s an ongoing debate about whether we’re losing something irreplaceable in the process like many college students feel we’re losing touch with humans and genuine knowledge.
While machines can process data at lightning speed and offer personalized recommendations based on patterns (like Netflix recommendations after you begin to give certain shows thumbs up), they lack the emotional intelligence and intuition that humans bring to their work. A doctor can simply rely on an AI to diagnose a patient. It’s the communication and the ability to listen beyond the symptoms that helps in treating a person as a whole.
Many people may face job displacement due to the rise of AI. Many fear that as machines take over routine tasks, human workers will be left behind, leading to a workforce that's increasingly out of touch with the tasks that give each “worker” a purpose.
The issue of trust increases as much as people are relying on AI. Think about how much we truly understand about the algorithms that govern everything. How do we know that machine learning models shaping the decision about our health, finances and even personal relations are accurate or unbiased? We grasp onto AI daily without knowing its potential risks and inaccuracy.
AI can impact our daily lives but it's essential we don't lose sight of the importance of human connection, empathy and critical thinking. It’s important to be mindful of the ways which technology can enhance rather than replace the qualities that make us human.