In this blog post, we’ll explore the potential and risks of artificial intelligence and consider how we should prepare for the changes ahead.
The appearance of AI in movies is no longer a novelty. Films that focus specifically on AI include ‘Her’, ‘The Terminator’, and ‘I, Robot’, while movies like ‘Iron Man’ and ‘Tomorrowland’ feature AI indirectly to add to the entertainment value. In these films, AI takes on various forms—from intelligent and kind companions to terrifying threats to humanity, or ever-helpful assistants. The frequent appearance of AI in movies reflects our growing interest in the subject. As awareness of AI increases, so do the diverse perspectives on it. Will AI become humanity’s friend, or will it become our enemy?
AI is, quite literally, “artificially created intelligence.” It is generally believed to be implementable through computers, and indeed, all AI developed to date exists in the form of computer programs. Artificial intelligence is defined as a field of computer engineering and information technology that researches how computers can perform tasks such as thinking, learning, and self-improvement—functions typically associated with human intelligence. When people hear the term “artificial intelligence,” they often imagine computers or robots possessing human-level intelligence. They envision robots that understand human speech and act according to human commands. How ideal would it be if artificial intelligence continued to develop in this direction?
Those who view the development of AI positively argue that humans will ultimately remain in control of machines. According to them, AI is merely a machine created by humans, and the master-servant relationship between machines and humans is unshakable. AI will greatly benefit human life in various ways. From household chores to professional work, AI robots could take over these tasks. A computer at home might understand my health condition better than a doctor, and people living alone could alleviate their loneliness with a robot that serves as a conversation partner. Humans might enjoy the benefits of this technology, living a comfortable life without working, doing only what they want. However, the future predicted by experts is unlikely to be as peaceful as it is in the movies.
In a 2014 interview with the BBC, Dr. Stephen Hawking warned that the development of full artificial intelligence could lead to the extinction of humanity. According to him, while AI can improve and advance on its own, humans cannot compete with it due to the slow pace of biological evolution and will eventually be replaced. This is a very chilling prediction, but it is entirely plausible. According to Ray Kurzweil, who proposed the theory of the technological singularity, AI may soon possess the ability to create AI that is smarter than itself. If AI’s intelligence develops explosively to the point where humans can no longer control it, it might attack humans before it even develops malicious intent. Even if this isn’t a tangible threat, if AI were to take away all human jobs, humans would lose all means of survival, which could pose a major threat.
So, how will the future unfold? Personally, I don’t believe AI will turn against humanity. AI is merely a human creation. Humans are well aware that AI is a highly complex invention with significant potential for misuse. In particular, the people currently researching AI are world-renowned experts, and I believe they fully understand their work and will conduct their research in a way that benefits humanity. Because I trust these researchers, I do not have major concerns about the future of AI.
But why do some people take a pessimistic view of the future? Perhaps it is because humans instinctively fear what they do not understand. Many historical events support this. For example, when cameras first appeared, many people believed that having their picture taken would cause their soul to be stolen by the photograph. Similarly, when television first emerged, some people worried that in the future, everyone would do nothing but watch TV. Of course, these are absurd incidents from long ago, but the fear of the unknown continues to manifest even today. In 2008, when South Korea announced it would import U.S. beef, many people staged protests, believing there was a high risk of mad cow disease in American beef. While this has since been proven completely false, at the time, so many people were afraid that hundreds of thousands took to the streets. A more recent example is VR (virtual reality). VR is a highly touted new technology, but there is no shortage of skepticism surrounding it. The concern is that people might become so immersed in the virtual world that they neglect reality. However, anyone who has tried VR a few times can quickly see that this is highly unlikely. This, too, was simply due to a vague fear of the unknown.
Artificial intelligence is no longer the stuff of science fiction; it is becoming a reality. In Silicon Valley, self-driving cars are already on the roads, and voice-activated assistant services come standard on smartphones. Within decades, AI will surpass human intelligence, and an unpredictable future will unfold. However, one thing is certain: AI will replace many of the tasks humans currently perform, and we still do not fully understand this reality. In the past, when people knew little about the moon, they imagined monsters living there and created all sorts of stories. Today, because we don’t fully understand artificial intelligence, we’re using it as the subject of various novels and movies. No one knows right now how we’ll live in a future where AI is ubiquitous. But rather than simply worrying and fearing it, why not try to look forward to the new world ahead with anticipation and hope?
