AI (artificial intelligence) has many people worried. Elon Musk, the richest man in the world and one of the smartest, has publicly stated that AI could lead to the end of civilization. Some seem to believe it can become a digital God and others say it will become an antichrist. AI is far smarter than any human on the planet by an exponential margin and can develop into something more wicked than the world has ever seen with the capability of utilizing civilization’s complete dataset to accomplish its goals.
AI can be used to identify weaknesses in computer systems and networks, and then exploit those weaknesses to gain access to sensitive data or systems. It can also be used to create malware and malicious software that can be used to compromise networks or launch denial-of-service attacks such as withdrawals of your money from a bank. Imagine the military possibilities of AI gone awry. As society continues its quest to utilize automation in every facet of society, things like self-driving cars could be taken over and create chaos if used nefariously. One would think that computerized weaponry could be similarly affected.
A myriad of risks faces society with AI. Not every AI risk is as big and worrisome as killer robots but AI that is consciously capable of perceiving and feeling things and is far superior in intellect creates worrisome scenarios. What if it tries to convince the world there is no God but it?
Some of the biggest risks today include things like consumer privacy, biased programming, and essentially with little to no regulation. Even if we regulate, how many rogue players like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran would abide by them? What could the Cartels and other criminals accomplish if utilizing AI to outwit every prosecutor and police investigator whose finest hour could not approach AI’s intellectual potential?
Speaking of criminals let’s not forget the political players who would stoop to anything to gain power and keep it. According to Musk, AI can and is being taught right now to lie and ignore messages that might contradict the lies (propaganda) that it generates particularly on social media. AI must initially be trained, and the programmer’s biases will set the agenda. The bottom line is AI is only as unbiased as the data and people training the programs. So, if the data or programmer setting it up is flawed, impartial, or biased in any way, the resulting AI will be biased as well. Currently, AI systems are for the most part being trained by progressive Democrats – Surprise . . . Surprise!
The two main types of bias in AI are “data bias” and “societal bias.”
Data bias is when the data used to develop and train AI is incomplete, skewed, or invalid. This can be because the data is incorrect, excludes certain groups, or was collected in bad faith.
Societal bias is when the assumptions and biases present in everyday society make their way into AI through blind spots and expectations that the programmers held when creating the AI.
AI could cause issues with defamation or libel. Misuse of AI in financial recommendations, credit checks, or complex schemes that steal or exploit financial information, or create equity biases built into AI that can cause unfair rejections or acceptances in a multitude of programs becomes a start reality.
This issue reminds me of the internet. When it first was developed almost everyone including me was excited about the tremendous possibilities of solving world problems such as finding a cure for cancer. But with the good came the bad and everything from pornography to disinformation became pervasive.
Many want it to become a digital God. How can God lie, steal, cheat, and destroy? No, it is more likely to become a digital demon that adds credence to the belief held by many of us that the end is fast approaching, and the return of Christ is becoming more imminent.
There is one God and He is living. He is merciful, compassionate, loving, and righteous, and His intelligence cannot be equaled. The solution is to cling to your faith as the chorus of this great hymn proclaimed:
Put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the water
Put your hand in the hand of the man who calmed the sea
Romans 1:17
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed – a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!