OLD movies portrayed the future as a literal silver age — a world of metallic parts, robotic assistants, and computers controlling the day-to-day activities of all living things.
This perception is close to the truth, given the present state of technology. Humans may not be normally wearing metallic or chrome-plated attires, but it's considered fashionable to some. There are no robots yet to wash dishes or mow the lawn, but there are now machines that help with production and manufacturing.
One idea that is in sync with reality is the use of computers. This technological innovation helps in simplifying complex tasks, and makes life more convenient. However, it begs the question: Are humans replaceable by computers?
Artificial intelligence (AI) was developed to provide human-like interactions, insights and solutions to a particular issue. This paved the way for more strategic means of understanding a problem, maximizing potential benefits, and lessening risks while accounting for various factors that could influence the intended outcome.
AI changed the landscape for solutions to everyday problems, a beneficial tool to be used in different situations. Companies utilize AI in their social media accounts through bots that respond to inquiries.
Education is also impacted by AI through laptops, presentations, and online demonstrations. Students use AI to help in quick information, giving them more time to work on other tasks. Teachers access AI in programs to come up with better presentation designs or lesson demonstrations. In some instances, AI can also be used to evaluate students through generated quizzes and exams.
Yet students are accused of being lazy and complacent since they let the computer work for them, rather than their own efforts.
Social media can pre-program user feeds to align the algorithm of its user base to be more targeted by various ads. These changes and adaptations to technology is what makes a lot of us heavily reliant on AI.
Limitations, challenges
While there are undoubtedly numerous benefits to using AI, it also imposes particular limitations and challenges down the road. In the early days of ChatGPT's image-generation function, artists complained AI steals their ideas and meshes them with other stuff on the internet to make them look original.
This led to questions regarding the ethics behind its usage, since the intellectual property of artists could be compromised. The same can be said with the entertainment industry, such as the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike which expressed concerns on AI use in scriptwriting, designing, and other elements essential to the film industry.
There is still a blurry line between the use and the abuse of AI today, and no solution has been collectively agreed upon as the one true answer. This does not mean, however, that the path to better usage of this technological breakthrough is not progressing.
Such is the idea behind the principles of Human-Centered AI (HCAI), in which humans are the key component in its development and control. The responsibility of using AI for maximum benefits is highlighted, while also accounting for measures of control to avoid any compromise concerning other individuals, institutions, or industries.
This should not deter anyone from using AI. It should be encouraged, but control is also necessary.
This topic is among the many points of discussion in the upcoming 12th National Business and Management Conference on November 28 to 30 at the Ateneo de Manila University. The theme, "Re-furthering Human Development and Sustainability: Aligning AI, Business, Government, and the Academe Towards Positive Societal Impact," aims to be the intersection of various segments of society amid the ongoing changes relating to technological and environmental aspects towards a thriving and just society.
For more information, visit the 12th NBMC Facebook page at facebook.com/nbmcdlsu.
John Laurence Robes is a lecturer in the Department of Marketing and Advertising, Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business at De La Salle University (DLSU). He is the current research and editorial assistant of the Philippine Academy of Management (PAoM), and project and research assistant of the PHINMA-DLSU Center for Business and Society. Email him at [email protected]