Artificial intelligence (AI) is getting all the attention these days, not only in the world of work but also in retail, communication, gaming, business and many more. The rise of the robots, as many analysts have termed it, has been largely unexpected. The advancement in AI is huge—and that might be an understatement.
It’s everywhere. From our social-media platforms to our e-mail providers, from our phone’s voice recognition software to our online (and offline) shopping destinations. Machine learning, which is a system that makes use of algorithms to analyze and predict outcomes based on available data, is changing the landscape in almost every conceivable field or industry. All of the technological advances are leading to never-before-imagined solutions that boost profits and maximize performance.
Experts and scientists have been working hard to change the world for the better, through AI. But that is only half of the story.
Aside from replacing humans in the labor arena, AI also presents an opening for “dark elements” to sneak in and cause disasters and chaos. Reading a report on the World Economic Forum lately, I have come to realize that this new technological wonder could, indeed, be used by cyber criminals to shut down systems, create panic, or push selfish ends. According to the report, there are AI tools that are currently available as open software. The story also gave a rundown of countries that are prepared to address these kinds of attacks, together with quantitative information on how prepared they are. Expectedly, the Philippines is nowhere near that list.
The pictured landscape is scary. Organized and state-sponsored cyber criminals—together with the genius hackers who work alone or in groups—and computer experts in the security industry are apparently engaged in an “escalating arms race.” As I write this, the bad guys are most likely developing some kind of intelligent software that will enable them to break into systems. The other side is, of course, involved in their own research for protection and defense.
Looking at all the stories and reports, HAL 9000 comes to mind. Clarke, who saw the whole thing coming, popularized the line that brings shivers down the spine: “I’m sorry Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that.” We are in this situation and time when anything is possible, including computers growing so intelligent that they could actually go beyond man’s control. When we tinker, invent, build on things we don’t completely understand yet, it could get dangerous. All we have to rely on are the intelligent humans who are hopefully capable of protecting our own race and systems against possible attacks.
We could only hope that the bad guys don’t gain control of critical systems—think national security and defense, nuclear missions, banking and stock trading, the list goes on. This is one type of global development that could go to both extremes: good results or bad. Let’s think positive, but continue to be cautious.