Artificial Intelligence and how it has impacted our society

Introduction

While Artificial Intelligence (AI) may lead to major benefits, it’s also important to proceed with care to avoid
good intentions leading to bad results. Many computer and technology experts, such as Stephen Hawking, have
shared worries about self-developing AI systems. He once stated, “I fear that AI may replace humans altogether.
If people design computer viruses, someone will design AI that replicates itself. This will be a new form of life
that will outperform humans.” For ages, AI has always been portrayed as the antagonist in pop culture
and movies, be it Auto in Wall-E, or Ultron in Avengers: Age of Ultron. But is this the future of AI that we are
really heading towards?

What is AI and how does it work?

According to the National Artificial Intelligence Act of 2020, “The term ‘artificial intelligence’ means
a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions,
recommendations or decisions influencing real or virtual environments.” Broadly speaking, artificially
intelligent systems can perform tasks commonly associated with human cognitive functions — such as
interpreting speech, playing games and identifying patterns. They typically learn how to do so by processing
massive amounts of data, looking for patterns to model in their own decision-making. In many cases, humans
will supervise an AI’s learning process, reinforcing good decisions and discouraging bad ones. But some AI
systems are designed to learn without supervision — for instance, by playing a video game over and over until
they eventually figure out the rules and how to win.

Current debates about AI

Artificial intelligence can dramatically improve the efficiencies of our workplaces and can augment the work
humans can do. When AI takes over repetitive or dangerous tasks, it frees up the human workforce to do work
they are better equipped for—tasks that involve creativity and empathy among others. If people are doing work
that is more engaging for them, it could increase happiness and job satisfaction.

For instance, with better monitoring and diagnostic capabilities, artificial intelligence can dramatically
influence healthcare. By improving the operations of healthcare facilities and medical organisations, AI can
reduce operating costs and save money. Our society can also gain countless hours of productivity with just the
introduction of autonomous transportation and AI influencing our traffic congestion issues. Being freed up from
stressful commutes, humans will be able to spend their time in a variety of other ways.

AI technologies are advancing at a remarkable pace and pushing in to nearly every aspect of our daily lives.
While these innovations have undoubtedly improved efficiency and convenience, or as someone may say
creativity and productivity, there is growing concern that our increasing reliance on AI may be inadvertently
making us lazier and less inclined to engage in mentally demanding tasks and critical thinking.

AI technologies offer us immediate access to information and services with minimal effort. Consider, for
instance, the ubiquitous voice-activated virtual assistants like Siri or Alexa. With a simple voice command, we
can get answers to questions, control smart devices, or even order groceries without lifting a finger. This
convenience is undoubtedly a technological marvel, but it may inadvertently discourage us from engaging our
brains.

AI technologies are expert at predicting our preferences and behaviors, which is evident in the personalized
recommendations provided by streaming services, online retailers, and social media platforms. While these
predictions are designed to enhance user experience, they can also limit our exposure to new ideas and
experiences.

Critical thinking, the ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information, is an essential skill for personal
and professional growth. AI technologies have the potential to take over tasks that require memorizing things or
data analysis, leaving individuals with less practice in exercising their critical thinking abilities. Moreover, the
instant availability of information may reduce our patience and motivation to engage in in-depth research or
analytical thinking.

Conclusion

While AI is a powerful tool that can positively transform society, we should maintain our commitment to
intellectual growth and critical thinking in the face of its increasing influence. We should remain active
participants in decision-making processes, critically evaluate the information presented to us, and seek out
diverse perspectives beyond what AI algorithms predict. By doing so, we can harness the benefits of AI while
preserving and nurturing our human intelligence.
 Let’s talk
How can we explore a
balance between relying
on AI technologies and
nurturing human
intelligence?
What are some concerns
associated with the
development of AI?
Have you had a
personal
experience with
How can AI benefit AI?
and advance our
workspace?

Do you think
What are the anybody can
potential risks and use AI?
harm of AI?

My new words

1. Word: __________________________
Definition:
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2. Word: __________________________
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3. Word: __________________________
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4. Word: __________________________
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Let’s answer questions

1. Why are some experts worried about AI systems that can develop on their own and how they might affect
people?
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2. Based on how AI technologies affect job satisfaction and happiness, can you guess any possible long-term
effects on individuals and society?
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3. The article says that AI technologies might unintentionally discourage critical thinking. Can you guess why
this could happen, considering how easy it is to get information through AI?
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4. What could happen if we rely too much on AI for tasks that involve memorization? How might this affect
people's ability to think and develop skills?
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5. How can individuals keep thinking critically and keep learning new things?
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6. What changes might happen in the future and how might society be different as AI becomes more
influential?
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7. What might happen if there are no rules or regulations for AI?

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8. Why is critical thinking important for personal and professional growth?

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 Homework
Write a reflective journal entry on your own experiences and interactions with AI technologies. Consider how
AI has influenced your daily life, decision-making processes, and perspectives on various scenarios. Please
include the 4 words from your vocabulary list into your reflective journal entry.

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