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A Debate Over Artificial Intelligence

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Mar 3, 2024

Jane (Russia) Diwme (Sri Lanka) Jialiang Tang (China) Charity (Kenya) Maura (Germany)
By

Issue Theme/Column:

Artificial Intelligence

Jane: In my opinion, AI is one of the greatest things that humanity has ever made. It helps us in a lot of ways - from school homework to coding

or 3D modeling. For example, in school, AI can help you write an essay in a couple of minutes, instead of the tiring process of writing the essay

with your own hands. A bonus to this way of writing an essay is that it is grammatically correct, and you don't have to spend time checking it

closely. In programming, AI can help you optimize your code or even write a simple one for your use. By optimizing your work with AI, you can

save a lot of time and relax, or do something more interesting than some boring work. Also, AI can help you with inspiration. For example,

Midjourney AI can create high-quality images that you can use in any way you want. And now, some neural networks can even create videos. So

from my point of view, AI has a lot of positive points, and by using it every day, I can say that it really helps to save a lot of time and energy.


Diwme: There is a lot of information available about AI, and the question of whether AI is dangerous is a valid concern. One of the significant risks

associated with AI revolves around data privacy and security. For example, Americans have a right to privacy according to the ratification of the

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. However, many companies skirt data privacy violations with their data collection practices. If we start to use AI more extensively, this issue may escalate. AI often collects data to enhance its algorithms. While this can lead to improvements in various

applications, there are concerns about personal privacy and the handling of sensitive customer information. Additionally, the ability to generate videos or

photos using AI raises further privacy implications. There is a risk that individuals could create fabricated content using AI, potentially leading to

misinformation or the creation of fake material that could harm individuals or organizations. It is crucial for us to exercise caution and wisdom when

utilizing AI to mitigate these risks and safeguard our privacy and security.


Jialiang: In response to the concerns raised by Diwme regarding the trade-off between using AI effectively and compromising privacy, I believe

that throughout history, people have faced greater sacrifices for lesser advancements. While it is not ethical to exploit people's data, I support

efforts to regulate this area more stringently. However, the reality is that current AI models require a significant amount of data, and companies

need a legitimate means of acquiring it. Instead of completely banning the practice, governments should consider measures such as truly

anonymizing personal information and allowing users to benefit from the value their data generates, possibly through mandated cash rewards or

similar initiatives.

In my view, Artificial Intelligence not only has the potential to propel humanity into the next era of science and technology but also has the

capacity to alleviate the widespread poverty that plagues a significant portion of the world today. The enhanced productivity facilitated by AI will

particularly benefit developing countries in unprecedented ways. Unlike the bulky steam engines of the past, AI can be applied across various

fields and locations, unlocking human potential and fostering economic growth for millions in the developing world


Rui (Re-organised by Jialiang): When AI is applied en masse to hundreds of factories in a developing countries, what of the workers who

work in those factories? The converstation around AI needs to focus on the actual people living in poverty people are supposedly trying to help.

Employment opportunities will only become rarer for tha average worker in a developing country if the reforms proposed above are instituted.


Charity: AI contributes to scientific advancements by assisting researchers in processing and analyzing vast amounts of data. In genomics, for

instance, AI algorithms can analyze DNA sequences to identify patterns associated with certain diseases, accelerating the discovery of potential

treatments. In astronomy, AI helps process massive amounts of telescope data to identify celestial objects and phenomena.


Maura: AI helps to explore new horizons in science. However, it is important to recognize that today's AI systems make mistakes. They can

spread fake news, such as the claim that "bees can fly backwards," only to retract it a few sentences later. It is risky to place too much trust in a

system. Present-day AI cannot be considered more advanced than humans, which may be a positive aspect, but it also implies that it is prone to

errors. Moreover, when searching for information, AI often struggles to accurately determine the trustworthiness of a website. Therefore,

authenticating information using an AI system can be challenging


Jane: I believe that AI brings many new applications that revolutionize teaching methods, reshape the functioning of schools, and transform industries

and education, impacting everyday life. Understanding technology is crucial to effectively work with it. AI can drive innovation in education and industry,

leading to societal progress. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of AI is essential to harness its potential and benefit various sectors.


Diwme: I believe that AI may induce a loss of creativity, entail potentially high costs, and fail to replace essential human elements such as touch,

interaction, facial expressions, and empathy. Relying on AI can lead to laziness and premature satisfaction without complete information.


Jialiang: The criticism my friends raise against the use of AI does not point to a fundamental flaw in the technology itself, but rather reflects a generalized

wariness about human nature. This wariness is not unwarranted, but it is certainly not a fatal obstacle to the widespread adoption of this technology. There will always be individuals somewhere in the world seeking to exploit new technology for nefarious purposes. This is a challenge that humans have grappled with since ancient times. Just as when humans learned to use fire, someone also learned to commit arson. However, does that mean we were better off consuming raw flesh? No. We need to address the underlying social issues that may lead people to misuse technology, but that does not imply that the technology itself is something to fear or guard against. While guardrails are necessary around the more sensitive aspects of AI, the public should generally be allowed access to it for their benefit.


Jialiang (Filling in for Rui): I believe that AI is just another tool in our toolbox. While tools are designed to be useful, they can also have negative consequences. Technology intended to cut a tree can inadvertently harm a person or be misused for destructive purposes; this logic has already

been seen with chemicals and chemical weapons. Controlling AI is challenging, and there is a risk of using technology against ourselves. While

explosive technology can be beneficial, it also carries a significant potential for harm and damage


Charity: AI technologies can make technology more accessible to individuals with disabilities. Speech recognition and natural language

processing enable people with mobility impairments to interact with devices using voice commands eg. Alexa and Siri. Computer vision allows

visually impaired individuals to navigate their surroundings with the help of AI-powered assistive technologies.


Maura: It’s a great help, that’s true, and I see all the points mentioned. However, there are too many risks to integrate a technology like this into

all aspects of our lives. The technology we have today is not advanced enough to offer all these possibilities and chances without risks. We have

to train and develop it, but not by trying to give away responsibility. Today’s AI is definitely not perfect, and we have to improve it. Additionally,

humans have to program ethics for this technology. We are the ones who are responsible, and responsibility cannot simply be taken away.


To conclude, we aim to summarize the main arguments we have presented. It is evident that AI can prove to be extremely beneficial in educational settings, serving as a potent tool for conducting advanced research. Moreover, it opens up new frontiers in science and aids in integrating individuals into our society who may otherwise struggle to do so

(particularly through medical innovations). Additionally, it generates employment opportunities in the programming sector.

Nevertheless, we must acknowledge and address the risks and challenges associated with present-day AI systems. Inaccurate information can lead to a loss of trust, and the ongoing debate surrounding privacy remains crucial. Furthermore, AI has the potential to be misused, perhaps as a weapon. Lastly, achieving true humanity is likely beyond the

reach of AI, as it may inadvertently contribute to a decline in interpersonal interactions.

It is evident that for every disadvantage, there exists an advantage, and vice versa. Thus, it is imperative to contemplate the programming of AI, particularly in terms of ethics.

When executed correctly, AI can provide assistance to billions; conversely, if mishandled, it could prove to be a monumental error. Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the human programmers, not with AI itself. As has been noted, AI stands as either our greatest invention or our last, contingent upon our ability to mitigate risks.

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