How Artificial Intelligence is Changing Business and Society: Challenges and Opportunities for the Future
Part III: AI as a Tool, not a Threat
As we delve deeper into the implications of artificial intelligence as a tool rather than a threat, it becomes essential to consider not just its potential but also the intentions behind its use. While AI presents remarkable capabilities that can enhance our lives, the duality of its nature invites scrutiny regarding its application. This brings us to the crucial understanding that, like any powerful tool, the outcomes of AI depend significantly on the choices made by those wielding it. In light of recent advancements and their societal impact, it's vital to forecast the future of AI, recognizing both the promise it holds and the responsibilities that accompany its development.
The connection between AI and the development of science also evokes another fear that has accompanied humanity for several decades. This fear is well illustrated in the Terminator film series, starting with the first film released in 1984. The name of the technology that turned the world into a dystopian future—Skynet—has become a byword. We use this name when we want to say that the development of machine intelligence will lead us to a point where the world will be taken over by soulless machines, devoid of morals, ethics, emotions, and compassion, posing an existential threat to humanity.
However, it is important to remember what artificial intelligence actually is—just a set of algorithms working with human data, entirely and to a certain extent, subject to human engineering. In the hands of engineers, that is, humanity or the owners of this tool, are both the models and the data they operate on. Essentially, artificial intelligence does not produce anything entirely new—no new ideas. It does not think in the way humans do. This means that artificial intelligence, as its name suggests, does not contain the “spark” often referred to as the image of the Creator in humans. Or, to put it another way, the distinctive human trait of self-awareness, or what is called singularity in science and related fields that aid the development of artificial intelligence, simply does not exist in AI.
There are no prerequisites (or at least we do not see any at the moment) for artificial intelligence to possess singularity and self-awareness, enabling it to make decisions independently of human engineering thought and take responsibility for those decisions. AI cannot unconsciously perform the functions currently assigned to humans and human society. The well-known saying, “The student is not above the teacher,” clearly reflects this principle, where the student represents AI and the teacher represents humans. Artificial creations can never become living souls.
Of course, this debate involves two fundamentally different views on anthropology, carrying the premises of either materialism or idealism. Proponents of the former can easily argue that the living soul emerged in the course of the development of inorganic matter. However, acknowledging the fact that humans are subjects precisely because of their uniqueness in the known world (in the entire explored world and the world around us) makes us consider the validity of the second, idealistic approach.
It is worth noting that among the pioneers of AI was the famous mathematician Alan Turing. In his work “Computing Machinery and Intelligence,” he reflects on the impact of computer calculations on the world around us. He said:
In attempting to construct such machines, we should not usurp His power of creating souls, any more than we do in the procreation of children. In both cases, we are, in either case, instruments of His will providing mansions for the souls that He creates.
Turing A. Computing machinery and intelligence? // Mind : Journal. — Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1950. — No. 59. — P. 433—460:
By this, he acknowledged the supremacy of the Master in the creation of intellectual (computational) systems outside the direct process of natural creation. In this context, humans play the role of the Master in relation to AI. In his article, Turing discusses the possibility of creating machines that can exhibit real intelligence and responds to arguments against this idea, including religious and philosophical ones. Although he may not have been a theist himself, Turing offers a theistic (partly philosophical) argument against the possibility of what is commonly called the “rise of the machines.”
If we adhere to this view, we can calmly and gratefully use the fruits of technological progress, including the capabilities of generative AI.
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Future Forecast
It is important to note that, like any tool, artificial intelligence can be used with different intentions and for various purposes, leading to different outcomes. Its immense, albeit conditional and limited, power (both realized and potential) has become evident to humanity over the past two years through the use of LLMs. This suggests that if this tool falls into the hands of those with malicious intentions, it could cause significant harm, which is indeed true.
Other factors influencing the current global situation or recent years’ events, such as the invention and spread of nuclear weapons, the rise of political and financial influence of small groups and states, naturally cause human anxiety. Just as control and influence mechanisms are being created for these factors, there are also tools for creating conditions for the safe (and sustainable) development of artificial intelligence, which corporations and governments are currently working on.
It is also necessary to recognize that, like any good and noble initiative, such as a technological innovation designed to simplify and enhance human life, AI can turn into a curse and evil. However, as with the examples mentioned above, it is essential to understand the responsibility that lies in the hands of those taking the necessary steps to reduce the likelihood of a negative scenario regarding the future use of artificial intelligence in human society.
Once again, it is worth noting the role of major contributors to the technological development of AI, particularly corporations, which are actively participating in initiatives from the US government and other market and societal entities. We should hope that artificial intelligence will ease our daily lives, make business and business processes more efficient and understandable, and thus leave us more time and energy to reflect on the role assigned to humans in our world.
To learn more about IBM Generative AI, feel free to ask me directly or visit the CDW webpage.
The opinions expressed are my own.
AI was used only for review purposes and not for the writing of this article.
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