THE FUTURE OF AI AND IT'S POTENTIAL IMPLICATIONS ON SOCIETY

There's no question that the subject of artificial intelligence (AI) has been gaining popularity in recent times. Slowly but surely, the idea of robots has evolved from metal beings that inspired one of the greatest dance styles of the '60s– "the robot", or as it is popularly known in Nigeria, "the break dance", to machines that can simulate human intelligence processes. 

Whether it's for work, play, health care, socialization, or even dating, AI has stretched its robotic tentacles into every aspect of human life in present day society.

What Does AI Mean?

Artificial Intelligence is the ability of a computer-controlled robot or digital computer to carry out tasks that require human discernment and intelligence. AI applications include natural language processing, expert systems, machine vision, and speech recognition.

However futuristic it may be, no AI can currently perform all the various tasks an ordinary human can carry out, even though they can stand on par with humans on specific tasks.

How then can this technological advancement affect us? Will it be positive or negative? What are the potential implications of giving artificial intelligence more access to our everyday life? Implications of AI on Society? 

The impact of artificial intelligence on society continues to receive constant scrutiny and debates. While many argue that it enhances the quality of everyday living by doing complex and routine tasks (sometimes better than humans), others fear that it might have more dangerous effects on society in the future. 

Below are some pros and cons of AI technology in society.

1. Healthcare

AI has produced phenomenal results in the healthcare sector. Thanks to the inclusion of AI in medical treatments, fewer doctors are needed and more precise results can be predicted. There are AI-influenced health applications that are already helping individuals stay fit and healthy by fostering a healthy lifestyle. 

Pros:

1. Since AI can perform data analysis, it can detect terminal diseases like cancer, more accurately, when it's still in its early stages.

2. When AI is paired with medical devices and consumer wearable's, it can also detect heart diseases at an early stage. This way, doctors can predict and prevent life-threatening issues very quickly. 

Cons:

1. It could cause one to lose a job opportunity if potential employers get access to them.

2. Infringement of privacy. 

2. Facial Recognition 

One of the hallmarks of artificial intelligence is facial recognition technology. We can see its manifestations all the way from our smartphones to CCTVs mounted in homes and public spaces.

Pros:

1. In smartphones, AI assists with security by providing and restricting access to locking and unlocking the phone. 

2. CCTVs have also helped with security concerns since they assist with identifying everyone that goes in and out of the field of vision. Thieves, murderers, rapists, etc., have been caught because of the presence of CCTV cameras on site. 

Cons: 

1. Since the data we put into our phones for facial recognition locks are stored in them, anyone can easily get access to our phones by placing them in front of our faces while sleeping. It leads to the infringement of privacy.

 2. Although CCTVs have helped to identify offenders. Not much can be done if the person has already escaped out of reach by the time they go through the thousands of faces that were captured by the camera. Timing is essential when it comes to fighting crime.

3. Also, the presence of CCTVs infringes on citizens' rights to anonymity, privacy, and freedom of expression. For example, activists with opposing views to the government of the day can easily get traced during a protest. 

3. Sex Robots

Sex bots though uncommon in the market (for now), sex robots (or sex bots as they are sometimes called) are another AI-powered invention that comes with its pros and cons. Sex bots were created to help humanity because the inventors believed they could be therapeutic for people with negative mental health issues. According to them, they are completely harmless and useful for releasing stress.

Pros:

1. Some people believe it will help to reduce sexual harassments in society since they can easily get the feel they want in the comfort and privacy of their homes.

2. For some, it helps with faster mental and sexual liberation since they can easily express all their wild urges.

Cons:

1. Sex toys might end up creating the opposite effect of what their inventors envisioned. This is because if people are given more freedom to have sex whenever they feel like it, it might lead to an increase in rape and other sexual offenses when they are declined. Sex bots could very well normalize rape in the future.

2. People's personal information is input into these sex robots. They run the risk of being leaked to cyberbullies. People could suffer from cyber blackmails and depression if their sensitive information gets leaked.

These are simply some of the many negative and positive implications of introducing AI into our everyday lives. 

Conclusion 

The future of AI is indeed bright and many look forward to the wondrous benefits it will bring humanity. However, will it truly be worth it in the long run? Many people will end up losing their jobs if robots continue to replace human labor. Yes, it will lead to a more stress-free future, but for whom? 

There will be an increase in crime rates too, if people keep losing their jobs. What then do we do? Do we continue in our pursuit of the advancement of AI technology and present ourselves with a technologically advanced future or do we remain as is with no hope of making progress? Only time will tell!

Name: Blessing Eloebhose

State code: OS/22C/0574

Institution: University of Benin

Course of study: English and Literature 

State of origin: Edo state