The Scary Reality of Artificial Intelligence: Why AI May Be our Downfall

In just the past couple of years, we’ve witnessed huge strides in artificial intelligence and machine learning—and some pretty scary realizations of what that could mean in the future. As this technology becomes more sophisticated, it will eventually be able to perform tasks that right now require human intelligence—and that’s when things may get really interesting (or really scary). There are many ways AI could impact our lives in the next few decades, but these five things are among the most likely and potentially devastating. Read on to find out what they are, and what you can do about them today!

What is artificial intelligence (AI)?

The term artificial intelligence is thrown around a lot these days. The reality is, there’s no such thing as an artificial brain – AIs are simply machines designed to simulate human behavior and thought processes. As technology advances, computers have become more adept at performing tasks that were once considered too complex for them. Today, we’re seeing more and more examples of AI in action; from voice recognition software like Apple’s Siri to self-driving cars being tested on public roads.

What are its advantages?

Theoretically, there are innumerable advantages to implementing artificial intelligence (AI) in any number of industries and applications. Indeed, so promising is its future that even now researchers are racing to develop more efficient and effective AIs capable of addressing a vast array of real-world challenges. But what are its disadvantages? What will we have to sacrifice in order for progress to move forward? And what does it mean for our future as a species?

Is it possible to control machines?

When you turn on a computer, you expect it to complete your given task. But what if that same machine could decide to change its own programming and behavior? This may sound like science fiction, but with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), it’s becoming more and more likely. And as we enter an era where computers can make their own decisions, we have to decide how much control humans should retain over technology.

Can we hide from them?

Not only is there no hiding from AIs, in many cases we don’t want to hide. We know that artificial intelligence can make our lives easier, safer, and even more fun—if it doesn’t take away every job we have. As soon as artificial intelligence becomes better than human beings at everything, it will be here whether we like it or not.