What a time to be alive is a thought that has been buzzing through my head lately. At moments, I feel like we live in the second Renaissance wave. But are we?
The latest hit of the tech world is AI technology, and it has taken the world by storm. Even though we are still in the early stages of mainstream usage, it has already impacted almost every industry there is. Not to mention, its capabilities are growing more impressive by the minute. In fact, while I thought about these few sentences, it probably already learned about 1000 new things.
Of course, technology like that has created a massive reaction around the world, and opinions are divided. One side sees the future in it, and the other protests in fear of what that means for humankind.
The first concern about it is its legitimacy.
Artists have come forward, claiming their work has been stolen and replicated. The sad fact is that they didn’t imagine it. However, the legal system does not know how to deal with this new form of plagiarism in some works. Others fear for their jobs since these advanced AIs can do anybody’s job better and faster. But if you browsed the web in the last few months, you probably could have noticed the buzz.
Image by Andrea Morell
As an artist and entrepreneur, my opinion is quite complicated. I understand how it threatens the original thoughts and long-learned skills of the artists, but I also see potential in it. Potential, yet a threat. Let me explain. What leaves me the most in the negative area when it comes to art or text creation is the risk of plagiarism. It can damage the original artist, but also, stealing is not a very smart way to run any business. What can we do to address the current issues and concerns?
The ethical issues with AI
The first main issue is art copying and general plagiarism. AI intentionally references the style or the image of the artist.
It is a current issue for which there is no solution, only an excuse. “The algorithm learns from the internet, and if you posted it, you agreed to it.” So, don’t post?
No. A possible solution would be to disallow image copying. The algorithm would have to function not to directly use elements of the artwork but rather to solely create a unique concept based on inspiration. Something like a human refers to inspirations. We get inspired by shapes, images, and other people’s ideas but produce individual and unique concepts. Developing AI models in that direction and protecting artists’ intellectual property rights a priori
Will AI steal our jobs?
This is the yes-or-no question. What we can already see is that AI will be used for business and private needs.
Many businesses are already using the latest technology. However, we often associate AI with movies like The Terminator or the latest Megan. But can you really imagine your co-worker in a tin can and a suit, walking in on Monday and saying, “Hey, Susan!” The fact is, we find it creepy. Although Japan has a completely different viewpoint on the matter, implementing robots as humans would not be as easy as having Chat GPT write your homework.
What you could see though is a person in a suit walking in on Monday, saying “Hey, Susan,” and going on to create 100 original artworks in a day rather than 5 per month. Yes, that is food for thought for artists since it could and probably will decrease the need for hand skilled artists. However, that does not mean it will decrease the need for artists.
The AI models that we now have are impressive, but they need a human operator to create anything. Also, it is worth mentioning that the final outcome strongly depends on the user’s knowledge of the interface and creativity. You can go around those two, but the result will be generic and boring. Therefore, a creative mind will have its place, but a different tool to create with. Of course, it is also good to keep in mind that humans vary in their ideas, needs, aspirations, and many other things. Which means there will always be those who are interested in human art.
But there is a catch, right?
The issue of humanoid AIs walking into the office is not as big of a threat as the general combining of artificial intelligence with robotics is.
Why would someone mix robotics and AI besides being a futurist fan? Well, military.
The problem comes when we decide to place the air inside reinforced material, giving it flexibility, durability, speed, strength above human intelligence, and guns!
Even if the intent wouldn’t be to destroy the whole of humanity but rather a small portion of it that we don’t particularly like or agree with, based on the current state of AI, it would be a recipe for a catastrophe.
The way AI functions now, in the simplest terms, is that: a) it’s encoded to serve a specific purpose; and b) it keeps learning and improving at that task. which would hypothetically mean we would need to encode the humanoid AI for war and combat and enable it to improve itself with experience. Even if we tried to solve the problem by removing the ability to self-improve, we still made a super intelligent and possibly indestructible being with the intent to fight.
The only logical solution would be to keep the robotics separate from the AI programs.
The solution is logical, however, the intent of humans isn’t always clear, and that is where my true fear with this technology lies.
We have to take a good look at the world around us and see the people guiding it. The power and possibility to create a technology like that are unquestionable, but we have to take a step back and ask: Is that power in safe hands?
Food for thought
The emergence of AI technology has brought both excitement and fear to the world. While it has the potential to revolutionize various industries and increase efficiency, it also poses challenges, particularly with regards to its impact on creativity and the potential loss of jobs. Moreover, the ethical implications of AI should not be ignored, especially with the possibility of its integration with robotics for military purposes. As we continue to develop and integrate AI technology into our lives, we must carefully consider its impact on humanity and ensure that its power remains in safe hands. It is crucial that we strike a balance between innovation and ethics so that we may continue to progress and evolve as a society.
There are still many questions to be answered and points to bring into the discussion, I will leave you with some of them.
- While AI has the potential to improve efficiency and innovation in various industries, it also raises concerns about legal and ethical issues such as plagiarism and job displacement.
- Can we create AI models that are truly unique and not based on existing art, and what impact would this have on the art industry?
- Developing AI models that protect artists’ intellectual rights and encourage unique and individual concepts could be a possible solution to the issue of art copying.
- It is essential to consider the intent of those who create and control AI and ensure that this technology is in safe hands to avoid any catastrophic consequences.
- The debate around AI and its impact on society and humanity is a complex and multifaceted one that requires continuous examination and consideration of its potential benefits and risks
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