AI gets a lot of attention in the media these days, and a lot of it is concerning. Whether it’s companies stretching the truth about their broken AI products, or conspiracy nuts who think the Terminator movies are based on real events – we consumers are often the victims of AI falsehoods that we need to filter for facts from fiction.
Does AI Actually Exist?
Yes. But it might not be what you think it is, or what you have been told to believe. Companies that market their AI products often over-exaggerate their capabilities. And the AI that you have seen in movies and TV definitely does not exist yet, not even close. Most of the AI you deal with today is very boring stuff, like Google’s search engine, your cellphone’s assistant program, or a robot that walks like a dog. However, this brings up another important point – how do you even define AI?
What is the definition of AI?
Defining “Artificial Intelligence” is difficult because the answer varies depending on who you ask. A computer science professor might tell you that AI is a field of study, whereas a software developer might say that AI is a type of computer program. Others might define AI as simply the computer/machine version of human intelligence.
The question then becomes, what defines “human intelligence”? A calculator can solve math problems like a human can, does that mean your calculator counts as AI? In a way, yes. At its most basic core, AI is simply another term for a machine/program that can do things a human can, whether its solving math problems or translating language. The scale of how complex an AI program will range from a basic calculator all the way up to a self driving car and beyond.
How Does AI Actually Work?
Artificial Intelligence programs are just that – programs. This means they are made of code written by humans. It takes years of dedicated teamwork to write these applications and get them working correctly. They are then tweaked and adjusted as time goes on so that they are always improving or adapting to new demands.
For those who don’t understand the complexities of computer science and software code writing, don’t worry – you are not alone. Let’s use a metaphor to help explain things better. Imagine an AI program is like a vehicle. Vehicles are assembled in factories and are made of many different parts. These parts all work together to make the vehicle function as it’s supposed to. It cannot function on its own. It must be built, turned on, and driven by a human. AI software is built and used in a very similar way.
Because of these restrictions in how AI programs are built, they are limited in their ability to mimic human behavior. The code they are made of is logic based, not organic or alive. AI programs cannot become “self aware” anymore than a vehicle can.
Is AI Dangerous?
No. Not by itself. AI is a tool. Tools are only as dangerous as the hands that use them. Instead, one should be asking “are there bad people who will use AI for crime?” Yes. One could build an AI program that can either help the world, or harm it. This is why regulating AI is so important. Governments worldwide are already working on comprehensive AI legislation that will shape the future of the market, and punish those who seek to abuse it.
The best defense against these kinds of AI assailants are better AI defense programs that can outsmart their enemies. This battle has been going on for decades already and is nothing new to the world of cyber security. Cyber defense is already one of the world’s top priorities because of this.
Is AI Replacing Humanity?
No. Many people are concerned about AI taking their jobs. This is a problem that is as old as civilization, and is by no means a new challenge for humanity. From the invention of stone tools, all the way to the industrial revolution, mankind has shown that ingenuity and compromise often come hand-in-hand. But while technological advancement has indeed replaced hundreds of different jobs (usually tedious jobs that people were tired of doing anyways), it has also created just as many with brand new fields and machines needing workers to study and maintain them.
In most cases, new tools often work alongside a person doing their job. The invention of the fax machine didn’t put office workers out on the street, it simply made their jobs easier and faster. AI tools are no different. Instead of worrying about how AI might replace you as a worker, you should be wondering how you can use AI programs to make you better and faster at your job so that you can become a stronger, more competitive force in your field.
Lastly, many creators feel like AI is stealing their work. Artists, writers, coders, and other creative types have raised concerns that the data used to train/build AI programs often includes copyright protected works. There’s nothing stopping an AI program from scraping open data off the net and using it to create reproductions, or new works with similar patterns.
Is AI Going To Destroy The World?
No. As entertaining as movies like Terminator and The Matrix might be, they are not a good reflection of reality. The idea of a software program coming to life is as silly as the idea of your toaster coming to life. These fictions rely one two things to make their scenario work: the program is self-aware and self-sufficient. These two traits combined make the program able to run forever and propagate itself – similar to what a human would do if they had the AI’s capability.
In reality, one would have to be a complete idiot to create a program that could not be controlled. It would be like building a car that speeds up and drives in a straight line as soon as you turn it on. Why on Earth would anyone design such a device?
Even a supervillain would want their AI program to still be a tool that they control. One would also need to be able to make changes to the code/machine to fix issues and add functionality. Making a computer program that was fully automated like an intelligent being would simply not be practical, let alone wise. Why would you need a hammer that could decide it didn’t want to be a hammer anymore? It would be smarter to design a hammer that uses AI to be a better hammer.
The real concern when it comes to AI are the people that are pushing it. That is where the real threat lies, and it is the area that should be regulated carefully. Just like how we monitor other human-sourced powers like money, law, education – AI is a powerful tool that can be used and abused and should be treated with care.
Should We Embrace AI, Or Fear It?
Like most things in the real world, it’s a bit of both. You should take cyber security seriously and pay attention to how your digital accounts work, how to manage them, and how to protect them. You would be surprised at how much a few basic computer courses and cyber security training lessons can do. Once that is done, you should try AI and see for yourself. There are lots of AI tools out there with a huge variety of functions that you can start using today.
“It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change.“
Charles Darwin
The American Centrist 
