Introduction
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology field that develops rapidly and spreads across various fields. These disciplines include education, robotics, gaming, marketing, stocks, law, science, and medicine (Tahan, 2019). Indeed, AI became popular due to the fact that electricity costs dropped and computer power increased substantially, enabling its widespread use (Huang & Rust, 2021). Furthermore, machine learning models and algorithms have become significantly more advanced, enabling AI applications in more complex areas of human life (Huang & Rust, 2021). Different types of AI are known, including mechanical, thinking, and feeling programs and tools (Huang & Rust, 2021). Although it brought benefits to people, some risks of AI should also be discussed to ensure that some ethical and technical issues are considered and resolved. The main advantages of AI implementation are higher precision of performed work and more free time for humans, while the possible repercussions are an increase in the unemployment rate and malicious use of private data.
Discussion
Since any AI program is software that can be trained to perform better over time, its accuracy can attain higher levels in some tasks compared to human results. Furthermore, since computers can perform calculations at a much faster rate, the speed of the work may increase tremendously. Some AI tools are already being tested for robot-assisted surgeries and virtual reality practice for doctors. Virtual reality programs sometimes help people with psychiatric issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (Briganti & Le Moine, 2020). Moreover, some AI tools have already been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used in various medical fields. For instance, the Apple Watch 4 can detect atrial fibrillation; thus, it was recommended by the FDA to be used for patients at risk for remote monitoring (Briganti & Le Moine, 2020). Furthermore, various AI software are available nowadays to help pathologists review biopsy samples faster and detect abnormal patterns (Briganti & Le Moine, 2020). Other AI tools that can detect language, imitate human interaction, analyze data, and build predictive models have simplified people’s work and facilitated performance in for-profit companies, think-tank agencies, and scientific institutions.
Despite its apparent benefits, possible risks of using AI should be considered to prevent harm to individuals. One of the potential repercussions is ethical concern about the lack of doctor-patient interaction in cases when AI fully or partially replaced clinicians (Tahan, 2019). Another possible issue is the danger of sensitive data being stolen by malware (Briganti & Le Moine, 2020). This information, which must be stored in specific databases for constant AI improvement, can be used to harm people. Moreover, many physicians doubt the accuracy of novel AI programs since these tools still lack sufficient training; therefore, they cannot replace human physicians in establishing a diagnosis and prescribing treatment (Briganti & Le Moine, 2020). Another repercussion, which is one of the most feared consequences for humanity, is that robots and AI may result in a significant rise in unemployment (Tahan, 2019). Indeed, if software programs are able to perform specific tasks better and faster than people, organizations may start replacing human workers with AI.
Conclusion
In conclusion, artificial intelligence has gained popularity in various areas of people’s lives. Scientific, medical, and business organizations started to benefit from using AI since it significantly improved the precision and increased the speed of the tasks they perform, creating more time for other activities. However, the possible repercussions of AI implementation still exist; thus, they should be addressed and fixed to avoid fatal mistakes.
References
Briganti, G., & Le Moine, O. (2020). Artificial intelligence in medicine: Today and tomorrow. Frontiers in Medicine, 7, 1–6. Web.
Huang, M. H., & Rust, R. T. (2021). A strategic framework for artificial intelligence in marketing. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 49(1), 30–50. Web.
Tahan, M. (2019). Artificial Intelligence applications and psychology: An overview. Neuropsychopharmacologia Hungaria, 21(3), 119–126.