Artificial Intelligence VS. Humanity: Is Future AI A Friend Or A Foe?

Artificial intelligence (AI) in fictional films is a thing of the past. In fact, the ever-evolving field of AI has become ubiquitous, making big strides in technological innovations. But as artificial intelligence revolutionizes healthcare, education, businesses and becomes a "meta-solution" to the world's biggest problems, its ubiquity spawns one major question: Will future AI wipe out humanity?

Useful Presence Of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence has a more useful presence in humanity today. In fact, many entrepreneurs and innovators are investing more time and money on AI-driven programs, including Google and chipmaker Movidius, as previously reported.

Artificial intelligence is also making useful presence in self-driving cars and personal assistant devices and apps such as Siri, Cortana and Alexa. Web search predictions and Netflix's movie suggestions are also using artificial intelligence, not to mention the social robots and online chatbots.

Artificial Intelligence Vs. Humanity

Despite the increasing benefits and uses of artificial intelligence, some tech and science experts like Stephen Hawking are wary about the threats of AI. According to Yahoo! News, even Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Microsoft founder Bill Gates have, who vowed to invest more on AI-driven programs, also warned about the existential risks of artificial intelligence.

Most artificial intelligence researchers, however, stressed that advanced AI algorithms can't think for themselves even though it appears as smart as or smarter than humans. As a matter of fact, it only follows what programmers have coded them to do hence, humans can safely regulate and control the development of artificial intelligence.

Three Major Risks Of Artificial Intelligence

The burgeoning ubiquity and effectiveness of artificial intelligence have stimulated discussions about the potential risks of AI development to the future of humanity. So, do you think AI can be a friend or a foe?

According to Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) president Thomas G. Dietterich, there are several risks associated with giving computers too much responsibility. These three major risks include programming glitches in AI software, misunderstanding human instructions and vulnerability to cyber-attacks.

Despite the risks, Dietterich said there's optimism in the development of artificial intelligence, considering these AI technology perils as a vital arena for investment reflection and activity. He also emphasized that AAAI aims to promote its responsible use while advancing the science and technology of artificial intelligence.

Artificial Intelligence Could Force Humanity Into Extinction

As technologies continue to change, grow and revolutionize the world, a new study titled, "Global Catastrophic Risks" suggested the possibility of artificial intelligence to wipe out humanity. Global Priorities Project director Sebastian Farquhar said there will be adverse consequences if artificial intelligence develops goals that differ from the values of humanity.

Farquhar also noted the possibility of killer robots and the use of AI in biotechnology where viruses can be genetically manipulated to eradicate human existence, as per Tech Times. Futurist and theoretical physicist Michio Kaku, however, said it is quite challenging to predict if the accelerating advances in artificial intelligence would evolve soon.

"By the end of the century this becomes a serious question, but I think it's way too early to run for the hills," Maku said, CNBC quotes. "I think the 'Terminator' idea is a reasonable one - that is that one day the internet becomes self-aware and simply says that humans are in the way."

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