AI Revolution

Just like a coin has two faces, artificial intelligence also comes with its own set of challenges and benefits. First, we must understand that we are in the nascent stage of AI revolution. It has only just started, and it’s going to accelerate at an exceptional speed from here.

Every generation experiences a certain revolution that changes the course of civilization. For example, the Renaissance profoundly changed humanity, which led to the foundation of the modern world. The scientific and industrial revolutions shaped the future of humanity for the better, but they were met with obstacles themselves. In the case of the Industrial Revolution, many people in the traditional industries lost their jobs, owing to automation, which reduced the need for manual labour. A notable example is how the Ford Model T replaced horse-drawn carriages. The same pattern was noticed with mass printing press, and several other industries that once relied heavily on human intervention, but were later overhauled with automation to keep up with the growing population and achieve economies of scale.

 Also, when photography gained traction, it put fear in the hearts of artists, and rightly so. The idea of an average person, without any natural talent, being able to capture the world on paper in seconds as it is, was considered absurd and a threat to the livelihoods of the painters. Initially it was slow and elitist, but it became quite widespread as time passed. Today, the same photographers face a similar challenge by AI, which can generate or alter the image with the click of a button. I understand the apprehensions, but again everyone needs to realise that this is just the start. Just like artists and their paintings didn’t lose their authenticity as time passed, and are still held in high regard, the same will be for photography. Any profession that requires talent/skills that are unique to humans will always be respected and valued for its authenticity.  

Apart from the creative fields, one of the critical areas in which artificial intelligence is making big strides is the healthcare sector. Contrary to popular belief, artificial intelligence will not be primarily used for diagnosing a patient’s symptoms or treatment in the near future. Instead, what artificial intelligence does best is the detection of certain ailments which might not be caught by the human eye. For example, breast cancer research has always been one of the leading case studies in the history of modern human healthcare, because breast cancer detection at an early stage has always been a challenge. AI today has developed to a level where it can detect cysts at the level of a radiologist, if not better. Some of the leading institutes in the world, like UK's National Health Service (NHS), are now using AI to analyse mammograms, helping spot breast cancer cases missed by human doctors.

Artificial intelligence is supposed to be the driving force behind the Fourth Industrial Revolution. By incorporating intelligent computer systems with advanced analytical systems, automation and advanced manufacturing technology, we are paving the way towards a more connected global economy and convenience.

Artificial intelligence does pose job displacement threats. However, taking note of the past revolutions, new jobs and industries will emerge to take the place of those that become obsolete. The scepticism around what is human or not will be there for some time, but we will have to deal with it. It will take time, but I am sure that this generation will come over this obstacle. 

 

We all knew that Artificial Intelligence is the future (which was made apparent by science fiction literature), but we were taken aback by the speed of its integration into our daily lives. But if history has taught us something, it is that society gets reshaped faster than laws or traditions can keep up. Whether we like it or not, AI is here to stay, and it will only make the day-to-day lives of a common man easier. Like any transformative force, AI too brings its challenges, but it also has immense potential. It’s up to us to guide its development with wisdom and responsibility, for the benefit of all.    

Written by bruce21k