As described in a long post on the Cyber Security Intelligence website (https://www.cybersecurityintelligence.com/blog/the-future-of-artificial-intelligence-6962.html), the origins of artificial intelligence can be traced back to the 1940s. The phrase itself was coined about 1956 when scientists in various fields began research to build machines to simulate human intelligence.From the study of neural networks came machine learning which has advanced to deep learning.
Today artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping almost every industry. It drives big data, robotics and the Internet of Things and will continue to innovate. However, there are increasing concerns about threats, including to humanity itself. While some professions - doctors, lawyers, computer programmers - will become more productive using AI, many workers will lose their jobs.
Generative AI can answer complex questions and do creative work. Experts predict that by 2050 AI systems will be able to perform tasks currently only possible for humans.
Some of the areas in which AI can be transformative:
- Increased rate of scientific discoveries.
- An instrument of foreign policy.
- Enhanced consumer experience.
- Manage the climate crisis.
- Enable personalized medicine.
On the negative side, many experts are now warning that if not regulated AI can become a threat to humanity when it becomes more intelligent than humans. We are already seeing social engineering and deepfakes being used to spread misinformation.
How do we address the ethical, legal and philosophical challenges of AI? As in medicine, we should start with "first do no harm" - easier said than done. Ever since the discovery of fire, every new technology has proven to be a good servant but a bad master.