NEW TECHNOLOGY, NEW POSSIBILITIES

AI, even without governmental or economic concerns, is diffcult to understand and guarantees big changes. In this way, a concept that seems fctional will soon be a staple of everyday life. It is impossible to hold informed opinions on AI without questioning its origins.

TechTarget states that although no static defnition has been reached, AI is generally described as a machine’s ability to perform cognitive functions like observing, thinking, problem-solving and learning like that of humans. This technology is capable of computing high volumes of data that are effectively impossible for a human being to handle. In the immediate future, its main use will be automating redundant or lifeless jobs.

Careers like psychology and teaching will be placed on a pedestal because they demand a humanness that AI cannot mirror yet. Whitecollar careers such as fnancial advisors, graphic designers or journalists, however, are being threatened by new AI technology.

According to TheSocialTalks, AI is already prominent in the news industry and it is predicted that 40% of all stories will be written by AI by 2030.

According to UBS, there are three different phases of AI development: narrow, general and superintelligent. Narrow AI is achieved when a machine can perform a specifed task better than a human. In this phase, the machine is incapable of performing its task without receiving the specifc tools and instructions needed. Siri and other digital voice assistants

“I can perform specifc language-related tasks with greater speed and accuracy than a human, particularly when it comes to processing large amounts of data,” Chat GTP answers when prompted on how its functions differ from a human’s. “However, humans are better at judging the ethical implications of a decision and interpreting social cues.” are examples of narrow AI, because they are only able to answer questions that have been previously studied and concluded upon by humans. The second phase is general AI. Here, a machine can perform any task as well as a human. In other words, the machine can fnd its materials, craft its plan and make conclusions. ChatGPT is an example of general AI today.

The last phase of AI has been coined artifcial superintelligence by Oxford philosopher Nick Bostrom. Artifcial superintelligence is reached when a machine can surpass human efforts in all aspects of a task. These machines can troubleshoot, retain experience and be creative.

An example of artifcial superintelligence in popular culture is Cyberdyne Systems Model 101, or “The Terminator.” Artifcial superintelligence, however, is still a fgment of researchers’ imagination.

“I think people are scared of superintelligent technology because they believe that humankind’s demise will be caused by humanity itself,” freshman Francceska Gonzalez-Bussi said. “Humanity as a whole will probably get ‘canceled’ by super-intelligent technology. That’s where the fear originates.”