By Dr AK Srivastava
Our intelligence is what makes us human, and AI is an extension of that quality. Artificial intelligence is extending what we can do with our abilities. In this way, it’s letting us become more human.” — Yann LeCun
Scientists have been trying to explore the possibilities of making machines that can think and act like human beings. In 1950, a great scientist Alan Turning published a paper on “Computing Machinery and Intelligence”. This research paper addressed a very pertinent question – “Can machines think?” With this initiative, the saga of artificial intelligence began. This interdisciplinary and multifaceted approach has made remarkable progress and now our day-to-day life is significantly influenced by it. First of all, we must understand that AI and human intelligence are not adversarial or opposing forces. Human intelligence has developed artificial intelligence, and the future of humanity lies in their fusion or in other words they should be complementary to each other in the progress and development of humanity. In this article, I would like to explain the strengths and limitations of AI as well as human intelligence. The future of humanity is going to change drastically with the advancement of AI and human intelligence must use it extremely carefully, wisely and judiciously.
“What all of us have to do is to make sure we are using AI in a way that is for the benefit of humanity, not to the detriment of humanity.” -Tim Cook.
AI intelligence is mechanical and it can work with hundred percent precision or accuracy on the basis of given data or digital input. It never gets tired or exhausted simply because it is not human. Most complex mathematical calculations and analyses of problems are done with amazing speed and efficiency. It is also capable of handling multiple tasks simultaneously with quality control and consistency.
AI has the unique ability to recognise patterns in data. Hence, it is brilliant at performing any task which needs repetition of action without the possibility of human error. Such uniqueness and distinctiveness have made the use of AI very significant in many fields like medical sciences, automobile engineering and warfare.
Medical diagnosis is done with miraculous precision and the most complicated surgeries are performed with incredible ease. Hence, the contribution of AI in the field of medical sciences is increasing speedily as researchers are coming up with the most advanced and superior results. Diagnosis of diseases is wonderfully accurate. It is highly expected that humanity is going to witness an enormous revolution in the medical sciences in the near future.
The automobile and aviation industries are largely benefiting from AI. Modern cars and planes are equipped with numerous features guided by AI. Driving has become quite easy as all information about destinations and routes is provided. Accident-free journeys at high speed are ensured by AI control. Even driverless cars are ready to hit the market.
In warfare, AI has done wonders. Now missiles are guided with accuracy and supersonic planes dominate the sky at the time of war. Drones are man-less and help with surveillance as well as dropping bombs. The entire art of warfare has changed. In the same way, we see the influence of AI in several fields.
Human beings are blessed with many creative talents which shape their decisions according to the reference and context of prevailing situations. Human intelligence is largely influenced by genetic backgrounds, intuitions and upbringings. We are social beings and possess many qualities like kindness, sympathy, sincerity, faithfulness, etc., and our intelligence and decision-making faculty is influenced by many such qualities which machines cannot possess. Human beings can change, reshape or transform their intelligence according to the needs of the circumstances.
AI does not have much common sense. Hence, it lacks self-learning, self-analysis and self-improvement. Human intelligence can integrate several complex real-life situations according to the demands of time or necessity. Moral values and ethnic considerations also determine our intelligence in order to meet our obligations and requirements. Emotions are an essential part of human intelligence and AI is incomplete without emotions.
We can think, observe and assess the situations before taking a final decision. Education and training are always instrumental in guiding our minds towards an intelligent decision. Human beings possess unique insight that helps them to comprehend many abstract concepts and ideas.
The human body has many limitations. We cannot work or concentrate on a task for an unlimited time. The human brain gets tired or exhausted. It lacks mechanical precision and accuracy. It also cannot handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
Some scientists and scholars have grave apprehensions about the progress of AI. They are of the opinion that AI will dominate human life and act like our masters not like our servants. Such apprehensions were also expressed when computers came into our day-to-day life. In fact, the future of humanity is in the coexistence of AI and human intelligence. It is in the hands of human beings to use AI in the interest of humanity. AI will bring a revolution to numerous fields of life and humanity will achieve many unprecedented milestones in the future.
“Artificial Intelligence is not a Man versus Machine saga; it’s in fact, a Man with Machine synergy.” — Sudipto Ghosh.
“Robots are not going to replace humans, they are going to make their jobs much more humane. Difficult, demeaning, demanding, dangerous, dull – these are the jobs robots will be taking.” – Sabine Hauert, Co-founder of Robohub.org
(Dr AK Srivastava is Principal, DAV Intermediate College, Dehradun)
