Ai essay

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Rashon Slowley

November 5, 2024
Writing in public contexts
Prof. Ward

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a revolutionary technology that purpose is to aid society in a

myriad of tasks. Though it has been around longer than many realize, AI has recently

experienced a massive surge, thrusting it into the mainstream. With this fast growth, AI’s

applications have expanded across industries, from healthcare and finance to entertainment and

education, transforming how society operates. However, as AI becomes more integrated into

everyday life, questions arise about its reliability, safety, and long-term effects on society.

The rise of AI has also raised significant concerns about its potential dangers. One pressing issue

is the rise of “deepfakes,” AI-generated images, audio, and videos that are often indistinguishable

from reality. These can be used to spread misinformation, manipulate public opinion, and erode

trust in legitimate media sources. Researchers have warned that deepfakes could become tools

for political manipulation, as seen in early studies highlighting their potential to disrupt elections

and incite violence (Chesney & Citron, 2019). Additionally, fears about AI becoming

autonomous or self-aware, as noted by prominent figures like Elon Musk, have fueled public

anxiety about the long-term risks of unregulated AI development (Musk, 2018). And yet he has

introduced Tesla new Robot assistants The Tesla Optimus, but that is a discussion for another

day.
While the dangers of AI are real, many experts argue that its impact depends on how humans

regulate and control its use. With strict ethical guidelines and comprehensive oversight, AI can

remain a powerful tool that benefits society. AI is already showing promise in fields like

healthcare, where machine learning algorithms can diagnose diseases faster and more accurately

than traditional methods (Topol, 2019). As AI continues to evolve, the key will be ensuring that

its development is guided by principles that prioritize safety, accountability, and the common

good, rather than leaving its risks unchecked.

To get a full scope of how important AI is, one must know its key advantages and disadvantages.

Many experts agree that the primary benefits of AI include increased efficiency and automation.

For example, AI systems can complete tasks at faster rates than humans by performing complex

calculations and analysis in seconds (Brynjolfsson & McAfee, 2017). AI’s speed has applications

across various industries, from finance, where algorithms assess market trends, to healthcare,

where it processes and interprets medical data to identify disease patterns (Topol, 2019). Another

benefit is the improvement in decision-making; AI can analyze vast datasets and produce insights

that aid in complex problem-solving, assisting professionals in making informed decisions

(Russell & Norvig, 2020). Additionally, by automating repetitive tasks, AI enhances productivity,

allowing workers to focus on creative and strategic activities rather than monotonous, time-

consuming ones. Perhaps one of the most attractive advantages of AI is its capacity to reduce

human error, providing more precise outcomes in tasks ranging from manufacturing to

diagnostics.
However, AI’s advantages do not come without substantial drawbacks, some of which pose

societal and ethical challenges. One prominent issue is job displacement. As AI becomes more

capable of handling tasks traditionally performed by humans, many fear that it will lead to

unemployment in fields like manufacturing, transportation, and customer service (Brynjolfsson

& McAfee, 2017). For instance, self-checkout systems and automated customer service bots

have already begun to replace human workers in various retail and service sectors. Another

disadvantage is AI’s reliance on large datasets, which can threaten privacy. AI systems need

massive amounts of data to function effectively, often using personal information, which, if

misused, could lead to breaches of privacy and even identity theft (Tene & Polonetsky, 2013).

The risk of bias in AI is also significant; if trained on biased data, AI can reinforce or amplify

existing prejudices, potentially affecting hiring, law enforcement, and social services (O’Neil,

2016). These drawbacks suggest that while AI has tremendous potential, it must be implemented

with caution and ethical oversight.

In addition, AI’s powerful, deepfaking capabilities make it extremely dangerous in modern

society. With the ability to generate videos and near perfect voice cloning. Experts fear that it

could be used to make very convincing videos and images of celebrities, politicians, and

important leaders saying or doing something illegal or dangerous. “Starting with obvious

examples: Check out this Tiktok compilation about Tom Cruise. FAKE. Or this video of Barack

Obama calling Trump “a total and complete dipshit.” Also, FAKE. The list goes on. There was

once a meme in which Nicolas Cage became the fake leading actor of a series of different movies

(video compilation). Today, anyone can create a deepfake. No programming skills are needed. If

you’re interested in learning more about the technology behind deepfakes in detail, …” (Forbes)
Given these pros and cons, the responsible use of AI requires strict regulations and ethical

standards to safeguard against misuse. Governments, organizations, and industry leaders must

establish frameworks that protect individuals’ rights and ensure AI serves the public interest. In

recent years, numerous efforts have emerged to regulate AI. For example, the European Union’s

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) sets stringent guidelines on data usage and privacy,

indirectly impacting how AI systems handle personal information (European Parliament, 2016).

In the United States, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has proposed a

risk management framework for AI to guide its development with principles like transparency,

accountability, and fairness (NIST, 2021). These frameworks are crucial as they ensure AI is used

ethically, supporting public trust in the technology and reducing risks associated with privacy

and bias.

The future of AI in society rests on our ability to balance innovation with responsibility. If

developed and regulated thoughtfully, AI can continue to advance human capabilities,

transforming industries and improving quality of life. However, unregulated AI could pose

ethical, social, and economic threats that might outweigh its benefits. As technology progresses,

it is vital to foster collaboration between AI developers, regulators, and the public to create a

shared vision that prioritizes human welfare and ethical responsibility. In this way, AI has the

potential to remain a revolutionary tool that transforms society for the better.

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