Machines are stupid. But not anymore.
With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the way man and machines interact is transforming. Not just this, but since the time AI and Machine Learning have caught pace, machines have started making precise and timely decisions based on the data it gathers and analyzes. And just like you and me, these machines display a human trait of learning from its mistakes. Interesting! Isn’t it?
However, the rate of progress in the genre of AI is one of the most talked about and discussed concepts in business’ boardrooms with an aim to capitalize on its potential. With this, the technology is all set to transform almost every aspect of our lives, right from our workplaces, health, homes to vehicles; this is the reason why experts strongly demand bold regulations to govern the booming technology.
We agree that AI has been established as one of the most influential forces that have the potential to transform the current technological and economic systems of the world. And since the tool has so much potential, it is time to govern it so that it is used with responsibility.
AI policy, in simple terms, is a set of regulations necessary to use the tool with an aim to maximize the benefits of AI while reducing its potential costs and risks.
The reason why governments need to have AI policies in place,
AI that has still not reached its full potential gives the world glimpses of how a future dominated by AI can look. Well, the rapid technology has a lot to look through the positive lens; however, at the same time, it is essential to exercise prudence and introduce a set of AI policies to protect the human interest.
Here are the top 3 reasons that make AI policies inevitable:
1: Beware! AI can be a double-edged sword
AI, in recent years, has been a catalyst in developing numerous applications and capabilities that seemed to be fiction a few years back. Nowadays, it is usual to come across machines that perform logical and computational tasks better than any human.
In fact, the progress is beyond imagination as AI is now trained to understand and process human language, the tool also works brilliantly toward diagnosing illness, and the list goes on. Precisely, when the technology is made available to the world, it can make a positive impact in the world.
However, it is crucial to understand that just like any other technology, AI, too, operates as a double-edged sword and has a dark side too. For instance, if highly advanced and complex AI systems are overlooked and left unfettered, it can deviate from a desirable behavior to perform activities in the most unethical manner.
2: AI ethics alone are not enough
To avoid AI from performing wrong things, developers need to work with added caution. And the only way the AI community is trying to achieve this is by practicing and operating on a certain set of ethics. But this is not enough.
AI research and amp; development is carried out in every corner of the world for various reasons. Therefore, it is difficult to identify these places, let alone stop unethical practices (just in case there are any).
While a lot of developers build AI systems, they are rigorously involved in testing the same to avoid any mishap, however, at times, they might overlook these aspects to be able to focus on on-time delivery of projects and can lead to safety noncompliance. And since AI as a technology is extremely powerful, even minute errors can have devastating ramifications. Therefore, it is necessary to transform these ethics into regulations that can be monitored and governed.
3: AI safety is possible only with powerful regulations
Legally regulating AI can make sure AI safety becomes an integral part of any AI development in the future. This means that every new AI development will have to go through a process of development that focuses on reducing non-compliance and chances of failure.
Conclusion:
In the past few years, the concept of AI has been thriving and is consistently taking over humans by understanding, translating, and speaking the world’s languages. It also recognizes faces, objects, and plays complex video games.
Well, our favorite entertainment options, like Netflix and Google Search, are completely dependent on the power of AI. And not just this, but progress in this genre is making a considerable difference in diverse sectors. Right from transportation to healthcare to defense, AI makes a difference almost everywhere.
However, to be able to harness the goodness of AI and prohibit the disruptive impact of the technology, it is essential to have policies in place to practice the right kind of control.