The Dangers of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence can save lives through predicting hazardous weather conditions, using robotics to carry out dangerous jobs, and monitoring patients’ health in hospitals [1]. As technology has progressed, artificial intelligence has expanded its functions. Not only do people use artificial intelligence for safety measures, but the robotic feature has also been used to replace humans to perform other kinds of work. While artificial intelligence has been beneficial to improve quality of life, the exponential reliance on artificial intelligence is predicted to achieve the opposite outcome [2]. The field of artificial intelligence has grown so rapidly that scientists estimate that robots will replace all occupational positions by 2029[3]. Indeed, artificial intelligence is not prone to human error like people and can prevent costly, adverse mistakes in many situations. For example, artificial intelligence is expected to develop the capability to robotically perform surgery and teach. If a robot performed surgery instead of a human doctor, the rate of malpractice insurance that burden doctors could potentially decrease significantly. The major drawback of robotics for surgery is the removal of human support for a patient who is likely scared to experience a risky health procedure [3]. In addition, artificial intelligence has begun to replace weather forecasters since the machine recognition of patterns is less prone to error, and thus the accuracy of the weather predictions become much higher. Even though artificial intelligence provides these benefits, its potential grave harm may be a call to put its expansion to a halt. Despite the usefulness of robots to eliminate work required by humans, studies predict adverse consequences to society, including “unemployment in turn leading to mental depression, poverty and crime” [3]. Humans need to be able to devote their energy to activities that make them feel accomplished and valued, or else the risks above will rise drastically. Robots are simply not human and cannot experience that sense of personal satisfaction. If robots accomplished everything electronically for people, hard work and study would no longer be a necessity of life. If artificial intelligence continues to grow at such a fast rate, artificial intelligence may eventually overpower humans and extinguish them[3]. This paper highlights the potential dangers of the increased reliance on artificial intelligence. While artificial intelligence can be highly beneficial in certain areas, people cannot forget the importance of their humanity that no machine can ever have. The ability to feel and seek reward in life is a human trait that must be fulfilled, despite the tradeoff of hard work. Even though artificial intelligence should be used when it is necessary, humans need to set strict limits on its potential abilities in order for the human race to maintain dominance on earth and control over its survival. [1] http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/topics/ways-artificial-intelligence-will-affect-our-lives.htm [2] http://www.proconlists.com/list/technology-science/artificial-intelligence/3894 [3] http://www.buzzle.com/articles/disadvantages-of-artificial-intelligence.html