Carmen Macri
Words by Carmen Macri
Artificial intelligence seems scary, does it not? We grew up on movies that warned humanity about the radical evolution of AI. “The Terminator,” “Ex Machina,” “I, Robot,” “I Am Mother,” “The Matrix …” I think you get the point. So it comes as no surprise that with the sudden rapid advancement of artificial intelligence in our day-to-day lives, some people don’t seem too keen on the idea.
The rise of AI technology isn’t sudden. Rather, it has been used for decades in the medical and computer fields, among others. But it’s only recently been readily accessible to the public with self-driving cars, Apple Vision Pro goggles and Chat GPT, for example. For the sake of the article, let’s discuss the pros and the cons of the development of AI technology and what that means for those of us not made of metal.
Self-driving cars or autonomous vehicles (AVs)
PRO:
On the bright side, AVs boast impressive safety features, equipped with advanced sensors and AI algorithms that outpace human drivers in detecting and reacting to obstacles. They also promise increased mobility, particularly for those unable to drive due to age or disability, potentially granting greater independence. AVs’ ability to communicate with each other and traffic infrastructure could lead to smoother traffic flow and reduced congestion, enhancing overall efficiency — though this would only fully work if everyone on the road were to drive AVs. They hold the potential to curb fuel consumption and emissions, promoting environmental benefits like improved air quality. Seems like wishful thinking right now.
CON:
Technological challenges persist, particularly in ensuring AVs’ reliability in diverse driving conditions. Yet, it’s not just about the tech; ethical quandaries pop up, especially when it comes to making tough decisions in unavoidable accidents. And let’s not forget the potential job displacement looming over the transportation industry as AVs become more mainstream. And with AVs relying heavily on interconnected systems, they’re ripe for cybersecurity threats and privacy breaches. Have you seen the new Julia Roberts movie “Leave the World Behind”? Specifically the Tesla scene? Case in point.
Chat GPT and Others Like It
PRO:
Rather than looking at Chatbots like Chat GPT as something that is stealing jobs away from journalists, like myself, or screenwriters, we should be looking at them as tools. Chatbots are quick and (mostly) efficient and can offer help overcoming the dreaded writer’s block. Its ability to offer diverse perspectives and writing styles can also enrich journalistic pieces and provide writers with fresh ideas and inspiration. It can also be used as a valuable research tool, making the process much quicker. Rather than scouring Google and clicking on multiple links, Chatbots like Chat GPT will do the scouring for you and only relay the necessary information you are seeking.
CON:
You don’t have to pay Chat GPT and Chatbots like it, meaning some businesses would rather save a quick buck, fire their journalists and writers, and only use AI. Cue the writer’s strike of 2023. The issue with only using Chatbots and AI for screenwriting is the lack of personality, originality and overall good writing. It’s why last year so many awful TV shows and movies were released because rather than using full-time screenwriters, production companies would use a crew of “skeleton-writers” to draft a script and then use that draft, plug it into a Chatbot, rework the rest of it and fire the writers. ChatGPT may struggle to grasp the nuances of a given topic or situation, leading to responses that lack relevance or appropriateness. Chat GPT is not always reliable, if you are searching for something before its last update, it will not have up-to-date information.
Deep Fakes
PRO:
I genuinely can not for the life of me think of a single pro for using or creating a deep fake of a person. It’s unsettling and weird.
CON:
They’re notorious for spreading misinformation and fake news, which can have serious consequences for society. Not only that, but they also pose a threat to individuals’ reputations, as they can be used to depict them engaging in activities they never did. Political manipulation is another concern with deep fakes potentially being used to sway public opinion or discredit politicians. Privacy is a big issue too, as deepfakes can be created without the consent of the individuals depicted, raising serious ethical questions. Overall, the legal and ethical implications of deep fakes are complex and concerning and freaky. The list could go on and on and on and on …
Apple Vision Pro
PRO:
Welcome to the era of spatial computing. Apple’s Vision Pro goggles enhance user experience for a multitude of things. It is revolutionizing how users interact with technology. (Though, in my opinion, just use your phone?) It offers hand-free interactions, relying on your eyes and mouth to relay a command.
CON:
Other than looking like a complete and total dweeb, which should be your main reason for not wearing these in public, I just cannot imagine that these are safe for long-wear consumption. Eye strains, headaches and disorientation are written all over it. Not to mention it costs an arm and a leg to buy and some people are not using them responsibly. I’ve seen videos circulating of a person behind the wheel (of an AV, of course) while wearing their VR headset… There is no way that is street-legal.
AI Voice Imitating
PRO:
The benefits of AI technology in this context are relatively short. With advancements in AI, it’s now possible to generate new dialogue in a specific voice by using a voice recording of someone speaking. This innovation has found applications in filmmaking, allowing for the recreation of dialogue. When used appropriately by individuals, it can offer a touching opportunity to hear the voice of a passed loved one once again. For avid fans, it provides the chance to hear their favorite artist addressing them personally. However, beyond this short list, the pros end.
CON:
Scammers are now able to record someone’s voice via a short phone call and create intense dialogue used to try and scam money off of unknowing individuals. In a recent article in “The New York Times,” one unlucky victim shares her experience of receiving a phone call late at night from an unknown number. When she answered, it sounded like her mother-in-law pleading for help, that there was a man with a gun demanding money… turns out, her mother-in-law was perfectly safe in bed, but scammers are now using this technology to an extreme level. This technology can also spread misinformation, fake news and pose a threat to individuals’ reputations — much like a deep fake.
This is just a quick rundown of some of the popular AI technologies out there, and it might be a bit biased. Sure, AI has made significant strides in fields like medicine, healthcare, and technology, among others. But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. AI is a bit of an anti-hero —it’s neither inherently good nor bad, just a tool that can be used for both positive and negative purposes. As long as we are smart about it, hopefully, we won’t end up on the big screen.
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