Philosophically speaking, Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the machine’s ability to possess intelligence and exercise it to achieve a given aim. According to Quartz Media, Artificial Intelligence is basically a computer program with a learning capacity. This software is developed by incorporating codes that can write, read and execute data, including graphics, text and sound. The AI technology as known today is evident in various items such as self driving cars and face recognition software. In case of the latter, AI software can be trained to recognize a person’s face and use the information to locate a Facebook profile. However, due to the limitations experienced with the technology in performing certain tasks, today’s AI still remains a Weak or Narrow AI.

It is important to recognize that the technology is premised on creativity. The more advanced General AI frontier is expected to push things to a new level, even though experts are wondering how far the technology can actually go. This is an important question because the technology is incapable of exhibiting human like emotions, like compassion, and therein lays the dangers. The dangers include the race to develop destructive autonomous vehicles and machines with an ability to achieve goals regardless of the means used. As we look up to having machines trained to outperform humans in virtually every aspect, from specific to cognitive tasks, there critical questions to ponder about. According to an excerpt on National Geographic, some of the key areas of concern include:

1. The disruptive capability of the master algorithm 
Plans are afoot to develop a master algorithm that could evidently take AI learning to a new level. When developed, the master algorithm will be able to learn virtually everything, from discovering various laws of physics to deciphering elements of the laws i.e. the planetary motions. With this kind of breakthrough humans could easily discover the Double Helix when supplied with sufficient DNA crystallography data. The devices could go as far as provide diagnoses and cure for diseases like cancer when fed by cancer patient information.

2. AI taking human jobs 
For a long time, there has been hue and cry that an aptly capable AI could take over human jobs. Indeed a study conducted by the Oxford University revealed that up to 47% of jobs performed by humans risk being taken over by intelligent machines. However, actualizing this in the real world could take many years, if not decades. Machines can easily take up jobs that involve routine mental work such as medical diagnosis and data entry as opposed to tougher jobs like sweeping the streets. Jobs that require common sense output are also difficult to automate, which is one reason, humans still maintain an edge over the machines.

3. Using AI to censure civil liberties 
Civil rights crusaders are fearful that machine learning is increasingly being used to threaten fundamental liberties enjoyed by citizens such as free exchange of information through electronic systems. The fear stems from revelations that the Big Brother may use machine learning technologies to eavesdrop private conversations using outfits like the NSA. It is important to point out that a lot of conversations going through various communication channels are free of interference. Indeed, governments may have to spend too much money and manpower to actually monitor every communication taking place, and that is virtually impossible. The authorities are also acutely aware that creating a complete surveillance state could backfire on them.

4. Human development and health 
The relationship between machines and children is something that will be closely watched to understand if an AI enabled machine is primed to degrade or improve children’s development. In terms of benefits, AI can be used in various industries, among them entertainment and health. In the short term, additional sensors can be added to a device like the Smartphone to make it easy to capture or sense a patient’s vitals. If a person develops a heart attack, the Smartphone can initiate a call immediately and send life warning messages. Scientists can also use the technology to sequence and discover new disease outbreaks and prepare mitigation strategies.

About Andrew Knight New Canaan 
Depending on how it is used, artificial intelligence can prove fruitful or disastrous in the race to equip the next generation of machines. Andrew Knight New Canaan is among a crop of young tech-prenuers eager to embrace the positive use of technology in advancing human potential. Due to its disruptive effects, the Connecticut native sees AI as a critical tool that can be used to efficiently perform nuanced tasks like interpreting video feeds, responding to customer queries, flagging inappropriate content and diagnosing potential illnesses. Andrew Knight New Canaan also writes a lot about technology and business through his blog.