ChatGPT, AI, Sam Altman, Krutrim… these are words and names that most of us using the internet today are familiar with even though we may not be able to tell exactly what or who these are. Of all the legacies of 2023 that will continue to inform and massively affect our lives this year and for all the years to come, it will be AI or Artificial Intelligence, much more than the geo-political issues such as the Russia-Ukraine war, the petrol prices, Israel-Hamas conflict, etc. AI, in fact, reached peak human curiosity through April 30 and May 6 last year with the term earning the maximum 100 points on the internet search. With the world increasingly finding itself wrapped around with AI in some or the other way, it’s imperative that we decode it threadbare and understand how it is going to govern our lives in future.
What is AI?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science that focuses on creating systems or machines that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. One can imagine AI as the brainpower behind smart devices, allowing them to think and make decisions on their own. In essence, AI seeks to imitate human cognitive functions, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and language understanding to enable machines to emulate human-like intelligence, making them adaptable and capable of handling diverse tasks. AI operates through algorithms, which are sets of instructions that guide the machine in processing information and making decisions. The algorithms are like recipes that tell the machine what steps to take based on the input they receive.
Machine learning, a subset of AI, is particularly fascinating. It involves feeding machines with vast amounts of data and allowing them to learn and improve their performance over time without explicit programming. One popular form of machine learning is neural networks, inspired by the human brain’s structure. Neural networks consist of interconnected nodes that process and transmit information. Through training, where the system is exposed to various examples, the neural network adjusts its connections to recognize patterns and make predictions.
Another essential aspect of AI is natural language processing (NLP), which enables machines to understand and respond to human language. This is what powers virtual assistants like Siri or Alexa — they comprehend the voice commands and respond accordingly.
AI has the potential to bring about a significant paradigm shift in human civilization, akin to the impact of the IT revolution. While the IT revolution transformed how we communicate, work, and access information, AI can revolutionize how we process information, make decisions, and interact with technology. AI technologies, from healthcare to finance and daily conveniences like virtual assistants, are transforming human lives by enhancing diagnostics, personalizing treatments, improving fraud detection, and providing adaptive learning experiences. From autonomous vehicles to entertainment, AI’s pervasive influence is reshaping various industries and daily activities. The ability of AI systems to learn from data and adapt without explicit programming holds promise for solving complex problems and improving efficiency across multiple domains.
How does AI work?
At its core, AI works like a smart assistant, learning from experience to handle tasks on its own. Imagine teaching a computer to recognize patterns and make decisions, much like we would train a pet. AI uses algorithms, which are like sets of instructions, to process information and learn from examples. Machine learning, a part of AI, allows the computer to improve over time without explicit programming. It’s like the computer is learning from its mistakes and successes. Think of AI as having different skills, such as understanding language (NLP) or recognizing images (Computer Vision). These skills are honed through practice, much like how you get better at a game the more you play.
AI is not a physical machine but rather a set of smart abilities embedded in machines. Think of it like the brainpower inside your device. Enabling these devices to think and make decisions, almost like a digital brain. It is the intelligence behind the screen, enhancing the abilities of machines and making them more adaptable to various tasks.
Advantages
AI offers numerous advantages that enhance our daily lives. Firstly, AI makes tasks more efficient by automating repetitive and time-consuming processes. It can easily handle routine jobs such as data entry, accounting, and customer service, freeing up time for more meaningful activities. Secondly, AI excels at processing vast amounts of data quickly, leading to improved decision-making. For instance, in healthcare, AI can analyse medical data to assist doctors in diagnosing diseases more accurately and promptly. In the case of drug discovery, AI can identify potential hit compounds which can be developed into medicine (drug candidates) by screening libraries containing billions of molecules. Personalisation is another perk offering tailor-made recommendations based on individual preferences like suggesting movies, music, or shopping items, AI understands your likes and dislikes, providing a more personalised experience.
Ultimately, AI powers smart devices, making them more intuitive and making interactions with technology more user-friendly. In industries, AI optimises processes, reducing costs, increasing productivity, and enhancing safety.
Disadvantages
While AI brings many benefits, there are potential drawbacks to consider. One concern is job displacement, as AI and automation could replace certain human tasks, impacting employment in some industries. Some of the jobs that might get replaced very shortly are graphic designers, accountants, financial analysts, market research analysts, legal assistants, content creators, technical writers, journalists, coders, computer programmers, software engineers, and data analysts. The list is very long, however, the rise of AI is creating many jobs too.
Another issue is bias in AI algorithms. If the data used to train AI systems is biased, the AI may perpetuate or even exacerbate existing social inequalities. For instance, biased algorithms in hiring processes might unintentionally favour certain demographics over others. Privacy is another significant concern, as AI often relies on large datasets, and mishandling this data could lead to privacy breaches. Moreover, there’s the challenge of accountability as it’s not always clear how AI-based decisions are reached. This lack of transparency raises questions about who is responsible if something goes wrong.
Lastly, there are ethical dilemmas, especially in areas like autonomous weapons, where AI can be misused. It’s crucial to establish ethical guidelines to ensure responsible AI development and deployment. In essence, while AI offers remarkable advantages, addressing issues related to job displacement, bias, privacy, accountability, and ethics is crucial to ensuring its responsible and beneficial integration into our lives.
Challenges
AI faces several challenges that impact its development and integration into society. One significant challenge is the need for vast amounts of data to train AI systems. Data is fuel for AI and without enough diverse and high-quality data, the systems may not perform well or could even perpetuate biases present in the data. Interpreting and understanding the decisions made by AI is another challenge. AI often operates as a ‘black box’, making it challenging to explain how it arrives at specific conclusions. This lack of transparency raises concerns about accountability and trust. Ethical concerns pose a significant challenge too. As AI becomes more advanced, questions arise about its responsible use, particularly in areas like privacy, security, and potential misuse of autonomous weapons. Ensuring fairness and preventing bias in AI algorithms is a continuing struggle. Moreover, there’s the challenge of keeping pace with rapid advancements in AI technology. It requires ongoing efforts in education and regulation to ensure that the benefits of AI are realised without compromising ethical standards or widening societal divides. Addressing these challenges is crucial for the responsible and beneficial integration of AI into our daily lives.
Risks associated with the use of AI
The rise of AI brings along potential risks and fallouts, including the misuse of technology. Deepfake is a notable example, where AI is used to create convincing but entirely fabricated content, like videos or audio recordings, often for deceptive purposes. This raises concerns about misinformation and the manipulation of digital media. Voice cloning is another area where AI can be misused. Advanced voice synthesis algorithms can replicate someone’s voice with remarkable accuracy, potentially leading to impersonation or fraudulent activities. Imagine someone using AI to create a fake voice recording that sounds exactly like a trusted individual. Additionally, there are concerns about AI-powered autonomous weapons, where machines make decisions about targets without direct human intervention. This raises ethical questions about the potential for misuse and the need for responsible development and deployment of such technologies.
Ensuring the ethical use of AI is crucial to mitigating these risks. Implementing regulations, educating the public, and developing ethical guidelines for AI development are essential steps to minimise the negative consequences and promote the responsible use of this powerful technology. As AI continues to advance, addressing these challenges becomes increasingly important for a secure and trustworthy digital future.
Global scenario and India’s position
AI is a rapidly evolving field with global significance. Many countries and industries are investing heavily in AI research, development, and applications. The global AI landscape involves advancements in machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics. Major players in the AI space include the United States, China, Europe, and several other countries with active AI research and implementation initiatives. India has been increasingly recognising the importance of AI and has taken steps to contribute to the global AI landscape. The country has a growing pool of AI researchers, professionals, and startups. The Indian government has shown interest in fostering AI development, with initiatives like the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence to establish itself as a significant player in the global AI ecosystem.
Krutrim, a groundbreaking Indian-made AI, promises to revolutionise the digital landscape for millions. This large language model, which debuted as ‘India’s own AI”, can understand and generate contents in 10 Indian languages, including Hindi, Bengali and Tamil. This focus on inclusivity aligns with its innovative architecture, boasting improved performance and efficiency. Krutrim has the potential to unlock diverse applications across sectors like education, customer service, and content creation. Bridging the digital divide and bringing the power of AI to millions who were previously left behind and catering to the unique needs and challenges of the Indian market. Krutrim is not just a technological marvel; it’s a symbol of progress and inclusivity, offering a glimpse into a future where language is no longer a barrier to progress.
Applications
AI has immense applications in almost every domain. Some of them are listed below:
1. Healthcare: AI assists in early disease detection, personalised treatment plans, and drug discovery. It can help analyse scans to spot tumors or robots performing intricate surgeries with enhanced precision.
2. Finance: Fraud detection is one of AI’s superpowers. By analysing transactions and identifying patterns, AI guards against financial crime. Additionally, AI algorithms provide market insights and automate financial planning.
3. Retail: Personalised recommendations based on your browsing habits ensure you see products you’ll love, while chatbots answer questions and complete purchases seamlessly.
4. Education: AI tutors offer personalised learning paths, adapting to each student’s pace and needs. Imagine automated grading freeing up teachers for deeper, one-on-one interactions. Additionally, AI translates languages, making educational resources accessible to a wider audience.
5. Transportation: Self-driving cars are on the horizon, powered by AI algorithms that navigate roads and react to situations instantaneously. In public transportation, AI optimises routes and schedules, ensuring smoother commutes.
6. Environment: AI tackles environmental challenges from climate modeling to pollution monitoring, from predicting natural disasters to tracking endangered species.
7. Manufacturing: AI optimises production processes, predicting equipment failures and ensuring quality control. Imagine factories running like clockwork, with robots working alongside humans guided by AI.
8. Creativity: AI is even making its mark in creative fields, composing music, writing poetry, and generating stunning artwork. While not replacing human creativity, AI offers new tools and possibilities for artistic expression.
Need of regulatory mechanism for the use of AI
The accelerating progress of AI has ignited a pressing need for regulatory frameworks to navigate the ethical, legal, and societal implications that accompany its widespread integration. With AI applications becoming increasingly influential, concerns regarding privacy, bias, and accountability have intensified. Ethical considerations in AI development, especially in areas such as healthcare, finance, and employment, highlight the necessity for guidelines that ensure responsible practices.
Moreover, the extensive use of large datasets in AI raises privacy concerns, prompting the call for regulations to delineate the appropriate collection, storage, and utilisation of data. Security is another critical aspect, with the potential for malicious uses of AI necessitating regulatory measures to safeguard against cyber threats. Establishing accountability and liability frameworks for AI-related incidents further underscores the importance of regulations. International collaboration is key, recognizing the global nature of AI, and efforts are underway in various regions to create standards that strike a balance between fostering innovation and protecting individuals and society.
*The writer is Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi.
