Written by: Isaac Sun (3G 2022)
In the modern world today, artificial intelligence is simply ubiquitous, be it in workplaces, hospitals, schools and even our homes. Mankind has come a long way in regards to our technology, with technology being widely used since the Industrial Revolution. Our technology has advanced to a point where automation is becoming more commonplace than ever. In recent times, artificial intelligence is becoming a titan in society, where it becomes the basis for us to make decisions in programming and monitoring aspects of society- be it personally, economically or politically. This fast leap forward in technology’s advances may have struck fear into the hearts of some people, who believe that artificial intelligence may develop to a point where it can outperform and even replace man. However, should we really fear advances in artificial intelligence? I will be sharing some views on the matter.
Some people may not agree with this viewpoint, as they see artificial intelligence as providing more benefits to us than drawbacks. One such advantage of artificial intelligence is the prospect that our more menial tasks may soon be fully automated thanks to artificial intelligence and that we would no longer have to perform such menial tasks. An example of this can be seen in our train stations, where it is not too uncommon to catch a glimpse of a cleaning robot cleaning the floors. The pre-programme route of these robots allows companies to circumvent problems of a labour crunch as automation makes certain work far less labour intensive than before. Hai Di Lao, a famous hotpot company recently announced that it will explicitly explore the use of artificial intelligence creating a technology-based customer service experience with robots as servers and even providing customers with a more highly personalised experience such as the ability to customise the type of soup base they prefer. Their use of an intelligent kitchen management system also allows visitors to log their dining preferences so that customers can choose to retrieve the records in their next visit. This proves that with the advances of technology, it is an enabler of customer experiences taking the sweat off menial tasks such as cleaning will no longer have to be performed by humans and that we will be able to leave these duties for technology to handle, allowing us to not fret about such tasks and also value-adding to the customers so that they have a reason to return.
However, such leaps may also precisely be why others fear the advancement of artificial intelligence. If artificial intelligence has already developed to the point where basic tasks could be accomplished easily by technology, is it wrong to believe that more of our less menial tasks will eventually be taken over by artificial intelligence as well? One example of artificial intelligence slowly taking over more complicated tasks is an automated kitchen. The technology is supposedly able to tell when something is being cooked right and is able to adjust heat settings based on how a certain dish should be prepared. The kitchen is also said to be able to tell what ingredients the fridge is lacking, based on the user’s eating habits and are, amazingly enough, also capable of automatically ordering any ingredients the kitchen lacks. Such examples provide insight into the fear that artificial intelligence may eventually take over our more complicated tasks and expertise that a chef has and as time goes on, even proceed to replace such niche jobs altogether. However, what this view fails to highlight is that the expertise that chefs can offer is their years of experience of being able to provide a customised menu on the spot based on customers’ preferences. Smart kitchens still need the human mind to make wise decisions based on data patterns and trends and this is something that machines have yet to be able to replicate. The wisdom and heart of the human being to make compassionate decisions is something that artificial intelligence is unable to do.
In my honest opinion, I disagree with the view that we should fear the advancement of artificial intelligence. I believe that artificial intelligence advancing really is not something we should worry about. Artificial intelligence helps society in many ways, such as helping us to complete menial tasks as well as aid in the efficiency of difficult manual jobs such as construction work. We have to remember that we humans are their creators, we give them their purpose, program them to perform specific tasks and the limits of what they are allowed to do. Artificial intelligence will only surpass us if we do not recognise the inner potential in ourselves to exercise good wisdom in our decisions, constantly upgrade ourselves and also stay ahead of technology and become a good master of it instead of allowing technology to become our master. Hence, I disagree with the view that we should fear the advancement of artificial intelligence.
To conclude, while it is normal for those who are more change resistant to have such fearful sentiments when it comes to the advancement of artificial intelligence, we should have no reason to be fearful of such advancements. We must remind ourselves that artificial intelligence will not harm us, as we are the ones that create and programme them, and that they will only surpass us if we allow them to.
MJR World of Words 