Artificial Intelligence has undergone rapid evolution since the latter half of the 20th century. A.I. has gone from operating on rule-based systems to data-driven approaches, allowing programs to use methods such as deep learning to respond to human prompts in a thorough manner. The change in how machines process information has opened pathways for A.I. to think in ways similar to humans.
This has led to the exploration of how A.I. affects artistic innovation and creativity. Where it once was a subject of scientific study and experimentation, A.I. has transformed into a technology that is widely accessible and commonly used by internet users on a daily basis. This rise has led A.I. into becoming a key staple in the current market, exposing some of its shortcomings in the process.
According to Forbes, 400 million workers worldwide could be displaced by 2030 because of artificial intelligence. Additionally, 64% of business owners believe that A.I. will increase productivity. Currently software engineers are redesigning electronic transistors so that they can function similar to neurons, furthering the capability of A.I. processing.
A simulated model showing the merging of organic and artificial networks.
Concerns have been raised about these advancements becoming too disruptive to the economy. Subsequently, this has caused fear that A.I. will slowly replace human labor. While that reality is yet to be fully seen, A.I. has started gaining a foothold in the job market by assisting job recruiters and hiring managers.
The art and design world has also been significantly impacted by the use of artificial intelligence. Platforms that host bots capable of generating complex visuals have become widely popular and accessible to the public in recent years. While this form of art is fun to explore, discussion has risen regarding whether or not this type of creative expression is ethical.
Ethical arguments regarding A.I. art have ranged from lack of originality and laziness to copyright issues. One major concern has been the use of deepfakes (the replication of an individual using A.I.) to encourage harmful acts or spread misinformation. While bots are not capable of completely replicating a human's physical appearance, they are getting eerily close.
Why does this all matter? How does this affect people who don't use artificial intelligence? A.I. is something that every one of us comes into contact with on a regular basis regardless of whether we intentionally use it or not. It's used in search engines to optimize search results, it's used in part with metadata to push trends on social media, and is the reason we have voice assistants integrated into our devices.
A.I. has gotten to a point where humans must coexist with it. Currently the only tools that exist to combat issues like deepfakes are A.I. detection technology. Staying informed on recent developments regarding A.I. is another important strategy. Ultimately since A.I. is still a tool, responsibility lies with the individual.