RAISING OBJECTIONS TO THE INTEGRATION OF

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

A Position Paper

Nichts Altalune

December 13, 2023

RAISING OBJECTIONS TO THE INTEGRATION OF ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE

INTRODUCTION

Identification of the Issue

Artificial Intelligence, once perceived to herald world domination and human extinction,
has taken a more practical turn in our current reality. AI carries the potential to redefine our
way of life, propel our vehicles forward, revolutionize healthcare, and envision a future
where intelligent machines perform tasks beyond our current imagination, making life more
convenient. Its impact on our daily lives means that the risks it poses cannot be overlooked.
The rapid advancement of AI technologies prompts debate between individuals—whether the
fruit of its innovation is worth feasting or it would bring poison to those consuming it. I,
however, take a cautious stance regarding the widespread use of AI.

Statement of the Position

This paper raises objections to the widespread use of Artificial Intelligence, highlighting
potential risks in its deployment. The stance taken acknowledges the undeniable potential of
AI, which embodies the potential to transform various industries, pushing the boundaries of
innovation. However, the ethical dilemmas, societal disruptions, and potential for unintended
consequences necessitate a cautious approach to the utilization of AI technologies.
DEVELOPMENT

Background Information

Artificial Intelligence empowers a computer program with the capability to think and
learn autonomously. It essentially mimics human intelligence, thus being artificial, enabling it
to carry out tasks typically handled by humans. According to Harvard University (2017),
science fiction introduced the idea of intelligent robots, sparking interest in artificial
intelligence. In 1950, humanity made impressive progress when Alan Turing, a young British
polymath, proposed the possibility of machines solving problems using information and
reasoning. However, obstacles like limited computer capabilities hindered progress until a
key research project on AI. Afterward, AI experienced both success and setbacks until it
evolved into its current state.

Its influence has extended beyond traditional boundaries, infiltrating diverse sectors
such as online retail, marketing, smartphones, assistive car systems, healthcare, education
technology, and service robots—a notable shift from apocalyptic predictions is evident. The
optimal performance of AI is demonstrated in applications that have a specific and well-
defined purpose. Take our smartphones, for example, where AI has revolutionized the user
experience through speech recognition capabilities, enabling us to command our devices with
natural language. In online searches, AI systems power search engines to understand our
preferences, delivering more accurate and personalized results. Moreover, the presence of AI
is noticeable in our households. Smart cleaning tools employ advanced algorithms to adapt
and optimize their cleaning patterns based on the environment, showcasing the practical
integration of AI into everyday tasks. There are also chatbots employing natural language
processing to create humanlike conversations such as Shopee’s Pixie, and ChatGPT. In fact,
nearly all of us experience Artificial Intelligence in one form or another practically every
day.

The undeniable contributions of AI to society and its people have undoubtedly redefined
our lifestyles and professional landscapes, bringing about radical changes in various sectors.
Its potential for innovation and efficiency is evident, yet the risks it brings about
unquestionably require our focus. Even Elon Musk, a billionaire entrepreneur well-versed in
advanced AI, recently stated that AI, devoid of proper supervision, entails a fundamental risk
to the very fabric of human civilization. I hereby stand against the utilization of Artificial
Intelligence primarily due to concerns including detrimental impact to human behavior,
algorithmic biases, potential security threats, and risk of unemployment.

Supporting Evidence

The relationship between people and Artificial Intelligence mirrors that of a drug—
beneficial when used properly, yet problematic when abused. The undeniable convenience AI
provides is noteworthy. Nevertheless, we enjoyed it too much that our excessive dependence
on AI has reached a point where it dictates decisions and manages our communications,
potentially triggering a cascade of consequences. This is supported by studies conducted
within the data and digital arms of Australia’s national science agency. These studies explore
the capability of AI to recognize and potentially impact the decision-making patterns of
humans. The outcomes indicated that AI effectively directed participants toward desired
courses of action. In addition, there lies a heightened risk of addiction to technology. In an
interview at The Atlantic Festival on Thursday, Murati, a top executive from the company
behind the renowned ChatGPT AI tool, raised concerns about the potential for AI to become
"even more addictive" as it advances. Notably, ChatGPT has gained popularity across various
user groups, including students. As a natural consequence, this encourages overreliance that
can foster depersonalization and diminish the quality of meaningful human interactions
culminating a sedentary lifestyle devoid of significant physical engagement. This, in turn,
may lead to social isolation—a consequence that rarely concludes positively.

Artificial Intelligence, in contrast to humans recognized as moral agents, lacks inherent

morality. Aristotle posits that moral agents possess the capacity to act based on concepts of
right and wrong, implying responsibility for their behavior and decisions. In this regard, AI
falls short, indicating a complete absence of ethics. Certain individuals argue that machines
will never match the emotional capacities of humans. This perspective is endorsed by Peter
Stratton, a Systemic Psychotherapist and developmental psychologist, who asserts that
genuine human involvement is essential for making substantial decisions, as AI currently
lacks common sense. They have no true understanding or consciousness nor personal
experience. While it's undeniable that AI surpasses humans in efficiency when operating
optimally, it's equally true that the real-world understanding essential for human connections
is irreplaceable by computers. Within social media and content recommendation systems, AI
algorithms have the ability to manipulate the information individuals encounter which
introduces the potential for bias. This manipulation can lead to the formation of a closed
information system, a selective information space, and the spread of misinformation. Social
manipulation through AI can influence opinions, and behavior raising ethical concerns.
Furthermore, AI relies on pre-loaded information and experiences, limiting its capabilities to
tasks for which it has been specifically developed or programmed—it cannot think outside
the box. Consider an AI crafted specifically for vacuuming. It cannot venture into cooking or
any other activities, but rather, it is confined to the floor, crawling along with the microscopic
denizens of dust. Similarly, chatbots respond solely based on their training, offering
consistent answers regardless of how many times they are queried. The evident lack of
creativity and empathy in AI stands in stark contrast to humans, who possess the ability to
think independently, generate diverse answers, and handle multitude of tasks. However,
despite human capabilities, Michael Milford, the Joint Director of QUT's Centre for Robotics
and a researcher bridging robotics, neuroscience, and computer vision, emphasized that
numerous jobs could be in jeopardy should AI achieve even basic levels of emotional
comprehension and interaction. This sentiment is echoed by Murati, who affirms that in every
significant change, there’ll be a substantial decline in job opportunities, perhaps yielding a
more significant impact on employment than any revolution that preceded it, and we have to
prepare for this new way of living.

Another notable limitation of integrating Artificial Intelligence is privacy concerns. As

per Rijmenam, a strategic futurist and innovation keynote speaker, privacy's significance lies
in protecting personal information in the digital age, where data holds immense value.
Ensuring fairness and avoiding biased decisions necessitates the use of transparent and
accountable AI systems. Nevertheless, there is a potential for privacy breaches if users input
sensitive personal information without considering the model's limitations. With the
advancement of AI, it becomes adept at decision-making through subtle data patterns that are
challenging for humans to discern. Consequently, individuals may be unaware of how their
personal data influences decisions concerning them. Rijmenam also emphasized the risk
associated with AI systems gathering and analyzing substantial personal data, as the misuse
of this data, such as identity theft or cyberbullying, becomes a possibility. It occurs when
these systems compromise the confidentiality of individuals' information, whether
intentionally or unintentionally, giving rise to concerns about protecting privacy rights.
Discussion of Both Sides of the Issue

Artificial Intelligence has become so intertwined to our daily existence that its absence
would create a significant void. It has become inseparable from our routines, impacting
everything from communication and navigation to entertainment and productivity. Its
removal would not just be a gap, it would be akin to losing an important support system that
has become essential to how we live today. Milmo and Stacey (2023) argue that the perceived
existential threats posed by AI are exaggerated. One compelling argument in favor of AI is
its ability to automate repetitive tasks, allowing human workers to focus on more complex
and creative aspects of their jobs. AI systems can analyze vast amounts of data at incredible
speeds, providing valuable insights and predictions that can inform decision-making
processes. Additionally, AI is instrumental in improving precision and reducing human errors,
particularly in fields such as healthcare and manufacturing. With advancements in machine
learning, AI systems can be programmed and updated, leading to continuous improvement
and optimization of processes over time.

On the other hand, there are valid concerns and arguments against the widespread use of
AI. One major point of controversy is the potential impact on employment. There is a fear
that AI may replace human jobs even with basic levels of emotional understanding and
interaction, leading to unemployment and economic disparity Moreover, ethical concerns
arise regarding the lack of transparency and accountability, making it challenging to
understand how they arrive at specific conclusions, raising questions about bias, fairness, and
the potential for discrimination. Additionally, there are fears of security breaches and misuse
of AI technology, which could have severe consequences if not properly regulated and
controlled.
CONCLUSION

Summary of Main Concept

Despite the significant strides in Artificial Intelligence, its potential risks and negative
impacts persist. Lacking ethics, empathy, and creativity, AI is associated with detrimental
impacts on human behavior. Algorithmic biases, stemming from the limitations and biases in
the data used for training, can perpetuate and exacerbate existing societal inequalities.
Furthermore, the rapid integration of AI into various domains poses potential security threats,
as vulnerabilities in AI systems can be exploited, leading to unauthorized access and misuse
of sensitive information. Additionally, the efficiency gains brought about by AI may
contribute to a risk of unemployment, particularly in industries where automation replaces
human labor.

Suggested Courses of Action

AI operates without inherent ethical values, however, human developers and engineers
can implement and enforce clear ethical guidelines and regulations for the development and
deployment of AI systems. This includes transparency in algorithms, accountability for
decision-making processes, and addressing biases by diversifying and enhancing the quality
of training data. Furthermore, raising public awareness and education about the ethical
concerns related to Artificial Intelligence is crucial. Additionally, implementing reskilling
and education programs helps prepare the workforce for the evolving job landscape,
especially in industries where automation might lead to job displacement.

Possible Solution

In response to the risks posed by Artificial Intelligence, implementing possible solutions

can pave the way for a more responsible and ethically sound integration of AI technologies.
This entails, as mentioned before, prioritizing fairness, transparency, and accountability.
Ensuring that AI developers undergo ethics training is important, as it sensitizes them to
potential ethical pitfalls. Involving the public in AI decision-making, along with heightened
awareness and education, ensures the consideration of societal values. Simultaneously, the
development or updating of legal frameworks to hold developers accountable becomes
imperative. Encouraging the creation of AI applications for social good aligns technology
with societal benefit, and the infusion of creative elements into AI systems stimulates
innovation while addressing ethical concerns. Applying this approach to the rest of the world
has the potential to establish consistent ethical standards for AI development globally.
Nevertheless, until a viable solution is identified, my stance against the use of AI remains
unwavering.
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