AI - threat or opportunity?

AI technology has developed rapidly in recent years, and with it has come both enthusiasm and fear. Many are concerned about how AI could affect the labor market, personal privacy and the future of society. 

The origin and expression of AI fears

Peter Nordström, Jeanette Nilsson and Kristina Knaving work as researchers and experts at the Center for Applied AI at RISE, and they encounter AI fear on a daily basis. Their collective view of the origins of AI fear and how it is expressed can be summarized in a few main areas: 

• Concerns about job losses 

Many fear that AI will automate away jobs in several sectors, which could lead to mass unemployment. This is based on historical examples of unemployment during previous technological revolutions.

“Of course, it can be scary when you realize that a machine can do 50% of your work,” says AI researcher Peter Nordström.

“But no one is afraid of a robot vacuum cleaner doing half the work, so it's better to focus on what we could use AI for,” says Jeanette Nilsson, who is responsible for the AI agenda. 

• Risk of AI control

Several dystopian visions of the future from science fiction movies and vocal opinion leaders in the media have contributed to fears that AI systems could become too powerful and uncontrollable.

“There are groups that make money by visualize scary scenarios where technology is used to intimidate, and the natural reaction is to protect yourself,” explains Jeanette.

“We should instead talk more about what is happening here and now,” says Kristina Knaving, a researcher in AI ethics.  

• Privacy, surveillance and false information

AI is already being used to extensively monitor and analyze large amounts of personal data, raising concerns about privacy issues and the misuse of these systems by malicious actors.

“AI itself is a neutral technology, but it can be used for both good and bad purposes,” says Peter.

• Concerns about what humans can do with AI

“There are legitimate fears that are not about the technology but more about what humans can use AI for, for example in war or propaganda,” says Kristina. 

Risks and opportunities

AI's capabilities today:

Much of the AI we have today is limited to specific tasks such as image recognition or language processing. General AI, which could match or exceed human capabilities in all areas, is a long way off (if it can even be achieved).

Automation and the labor market:

"Repetitive and monotonous tasks will be automated, but AI will also create new jobs and opportunities. Historical examples of technological progress show that jobs are changing rather than disappearing", says Peter Nordström.

Some warn of potential risks and super-intelligent AI, but most agree that we are far from that level and that many safeguards can be created during development.

Responsible AI development

Active work is underway to develop AI responsibly, with safety measures and ethical guidelines built in. Several research initiatives are also working to ensure that AI technology is not used in a way that harms society or creates unwanted consequences.

AI has the potential for positive societal impact, for example in medical diagnostics, climate change and industry. Applications show that AI can be a powerful tool to solve global problems.

"We need to start a bigger discussion about what kind of society we want,” says Jeanette.

Myths and facts about AI

Many fear that AI will become “conscious” or that it already is, but today's AI systems are based on algorithms and machine learning, without any inner subjective experience.

"AI has no self-awareness! It lacks, for example, motivation and continuity,” Kristina points out.

So, despite warnings of an 'AI apocalypse' from popular culture and opinion leaders, it is important to understand that AI technology is still controlled by humans. Researchers and experts are working to develop rules and guidelines for safe AI development. 

Society can prepare for the future of AI

Governments and businesses need to invest in training and retraining programs to help workers adapt to new roles in an AI-driven labor market.

“Instead of just worrying about the future, I think it's important that we also focus on how today's AI can help us with the problems we already have,” says Peter.

AI researchers and policy makers are actively discussing the regulation of AI technology. It is important to balance innovation with protection against potential abuses, for example through data protection laws and responsible AI development. 

In conclusion: a nuanced view on the future of AI

Fears about AI are understandable but often exaggerated. By learning more, listening to researchers and working towards responsible development, we can minimize the risks and maximize the benefits of new technologies. Society has proven throughout history to be able to adapt to major technological changes, and with the right guidance, AI becomes a powerful tool that benefits us all.  

Want to discuss the topic with our experts? Get in touch:

Peter Nordström: Expert in data analytics and AI, including risks/security

Kristina Knaving: Expert in AI, ethics and society, data-driven decision support

Jeanette Nilsson: Expert inom AI och HPC (High Performance Computing), AI Agenda