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We often talk about AI (Artificial Intelligence), but when we do, we often think of 'AI robots', or AI taking over the world!
But you may be surprised where AI already exists and how it is ALREADY being used in our everyday life.
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT
AI relies on Data. How we use AI throws up a lot of ethical questions not only how it is being used, but what it is being used for and why.
Let's take a look at the ethical side of things another time. For now, let's look at the places that AI is being used today and what that may mean to us in future.
FROM BEDROOM TO BOARDROOM
Let's look at this from a personal perspective...
If you carry a 'smart' device, then chances are that it contains AI.
SMART-WATCHES
That Smart-watch is monitoring your heart rate and stress levels and provides real-time advice about what you need to do to reduce chances of problems.
SMART PHONES
These contain virtual assistants, auto-correcting texts, GPS and improved navigation, content filtering and sleep monitoring.
SMART TV & MUSIC
Have you noticed how TV channels (like Netflix) make suggestions of other shows to watch, once you watched one show? The AI is trying to learn what you do or don't like, so that it can give you a better 'viewing experience'.
This is how most streaming channels, including music and podcasts work. They learn from you, and then apply that 'intelligence' to keep you listening or watching.
What about Business?
You may be thinking that you actively have to go out and buy AI tools to be using them. But truth is, you're already using AI in many of the tools you use on a daily basis.
Microsoft Word & Excel
AI-driven features like Ideas, Smart Compose, and Predictive Text assist with writing, formatting, and analyzing data.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Designer provides smart suggestions for layouts, while Presenter Coach offers real-time feedback on delivery and speech.
Microsoft Outlook
AI helps with smart email sorting, scheduling, and auto-responses.
Microsoft Teams
AI enhances communication and collaboration in Teams by providing Real-time transcription, live captions, and background noise suppression.
Grammarly (and similar tools)
Tools like Grammarly use AI to identify grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and punctuation issues by analyzing text contextually, beyond just simple rule-based systems.
A WARNING (PERHAPS) about AI...
In 2017, researchers at Facebook's AI Research lab (FAIR) developed chatbots to negotiate with each other. During the experiment, the bots started using shorthand that could not be understood by humans.
This "new language" wasn't a deliberate act of creativity; rather, it was an efficiency strategy. The bots 'optimized' their communication to complete the tasks more effectively, disregarding human-readable syntax. They hadn't been told to do this... they simply saw that our language has limitations - so they improved it!
So what does this mean for us humans, when AI starts to communicate in a more ''optimized' way, that humans can't understand?! What else would they see as an "Efficiency strategy"?
CONCLUSION
AI is EVERYWHERE! We want systems to understand how we work, and how we live in order to improve (upgrade?) our lives.
But at what cost? Do we really know what AI is doing? Is it really acting in our best interests? It may think it is (does AI 'think'?).
AI has already taken over the world... just not in the way you imagined.
But here's a question for you to ponder... 'When should we allow AI to do all the thinking and decision making for us?'
If you're not sure, maybe you should go and ask ChatGPT?