THE GREATEST DANGER OF AI?

Is it possible that the biggest risk facing organizations today is AI over-simplification? Over the last six months, we've been so over-loaded with the hype around ChatGPT and generative AI that it's reasonable for many people to say they "get it":?

• What can it do?: Write essays, respond to emails, and make silly photos
• What are the risks?: Bad prompts!?
• How does it work?: Magic? Who cares? I get answers!

Could it be pride and self-confidence that leads us to believe it's all that simple? Many people believe they grasp its depths, but as AI researcher Eliezer Yudkowsky rightly pointed out, "By far the greatest danger of Artificial Intelligence is that people conclude too early that they understand it."?

Like other emerging technologies, AI solutions that work smoothly (e.g., Google Search, Amazon Alexa) appear straightforward, making us think we understand enough of their intricacies to stop inquiring about their inner workings. It's human nature to place new technologies into mental boxes (e.g., crypto is just like regular money but all digital and worth more!). Yet, beneath the surface, these systems operate based on complex mathematical models and algorithmic structures highly dependent on the data they are fed. The tech heuristics that reduce cognitive load may also lead to irrational or inaccurate conclusions.

The risk isn't that AI will rise against us but that we underestimate its capabilities and complexities. Accepting black-box AI results at face value can lead to algorithmic bias, decision failures from drifting or inaccurate models, privacy concerns, and compliance or ethical problems. On the flip side, premature conclusions about AI's power can lead to underestimating the potential for AI to impact a complex process or user experience. Leaders may dismiss AI as a solution to a business-critical function because it's "too risky" or "impossible to fix," not recognizing how it could be thoughtfully rolled out with human augmentation or via layers of predictions and automation.??

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it. — Alan Perlis

The greatest misstep business leaders could make is approaching AI with the belief that it's a conquered and static field. Instead, as we weave AI into the processes and products of businesses, we must adopt a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation. Encourage ongoing research, foster open discussions, and facilitate knowledge sharing on AI to ensure we navigate its complexities responsibly.

Continuous exploration will ensure we maximize the benefits of AI, mitigate its potential risks, and better position our firms for the AI-first future. The ideal journey with AI is ripe with curiosity and constant discovery, where learning never stops. There must be some comfort in being uncomfortable. Our ability to thrive in this AI-augmented future hinges on acknowledging the complexities of AI, and nurturing an ongoing quest for understanding.