A global technological revolution is taking place in the world — artificial intelligence (AI) is developing at a tremendous pace. It is already here, and the world is watching its expansion with interest, instead of figuring out what is going on and what the consequences might be.
We make decisions every day about the investment, development, and deployment of AI. So here are thoughts on a number of ethical aspects of AI that my colleagues and I often consider.
What exactly is Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial intelligence is not robots from sci-fi movies with consciousness. AI is already widespread, whereas we should not expect robots to appear everywhere anytime soon. Today, AI is simply the application of a suitable series of algorithms to computational tasks to achieve a certain result. Every time a security camera recognizes a face, a bot shows us an advertisement, or GPS navigation directions adapt to traffic conditions and traffic jams, these are AI algorithms at work. What these algorithms don’t know, however, is that they are improving, optimizing, and learning. They don’t have an “I” in them to be aware of anything. Siri has no memories or personality. It is simply an equation that can tune itself and respond to our questions.
Changes Brought By AI
Artificial intelligence is already changing the labor market in a big way, and the wave of such changes will increase. About 14% of the world’s workforce will be cut in the next decade. 500 million people are about to lose their jobs, more than the combined workforce of Russia, the EU and the United States. AI has already begun to move up the labor value chain, replacing workers with increasingly higher qualifications. Today, even drivers and sailors are already an endangered species. Teachers and telecenter operators, by the way, are working by inertia; their time is coming to an end.
Is this good or bad?
On the one hand, it is thanks to work that millions of people provide for their needs, save money for retirement, raise, educate and pamper their children. Work is important psychologically. On the other hand, isn’t freeing people from routine or drudgery a long-held dream of humanity? Can anyone imagine digging trenches in paradise?
The problem is the very transition from one phase of society to another. Yes, in two generations the world will be able to live in splendid comfort and prosperity. But in just two decades there could be chaos. Right now many people are considering two ways to deal with this transition – an unconditional basic income or a shorter workweek. But this is too primitive: simply moving money or working hours can treat the symptoms, but not the root causes.
Using technology to improve lives, where the biggest rewards go to those who make the most meaningful improvements, is the essence of capitalism. But AI could radically change the calculus. According to research, global inequality has increased by 15% in the last 200 years – with far less technological change than now. The rise in differentiation over the next 200 years will be much steeper. Not only can AI surpass the growth in the productivity of the steam engine, but it can also develop a better engine and replace the engineer.
Why Inequality is a problem?
Inequality is a problem for two reasons. First, it is simply wrong for some to have more wealth than they, their children and grandchildren could spend while others are needy and hungry. Second, inequality causes social and political unrest. Instability hurts people and prevents them from planning their lives, businesses, or jobs. Random and sudden shocks are very bad for the investment climate.
So investors need to anticipate the effects of AI over the long term. Machines will not revolutionize, but the careless use of AI can cause an uncontrollable chain reaction. Our mission is to invest in and develop technology that will allow everyone to benefit from rapid productivity gains as SYPWAI does. It is important to note that AI can not only make everyone’s life more comfortable but also help us optimize society. Perhaps stability, prosperity, and justice can be quantified and injected into an active learning algorithm to suggest measures of optimization.
The venture capitalist community is divided into different camps in its views on the ethics of AI. Some point to the growing business and profitability in companies using AI, for example, to find illegal migrants by tracking their children. Others look at it as a progressive investment good for society. Others are opponents of both. But when it comes to fundamental human rights issues, the best we can do is to invest guided by conscience, finding a balance between financial return and ethical priorities. We can share our ideas to help others see the key dilemmas of technology and society from a different angle.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
