My last week’s article, “I Am Worried About Our Future—No Thanks to AI”, received a mixed response from the readers. My concern (which continues to be the same) is on the fear that as Artificial Intelligence (AI) grows stronger, we, as humans, will grow weaker. I argued that our dependency on AI, where we outsource our thinking to algorithms, will ultimately let our mental muscles (strength and effectiveness) decline.
Some of the readers accepted and shared their unease, while others disagreed and stated that AI is the reason why they now can write, think and also do work they never were able to have done yesterday (before AI). Question: Can they do the work if there is no AI tomorrow? Also, do they really understand the work or just blindly accept it because “AI said so”? That’s my worry, and that’s what I hope to clarify in my article today with real-world practical examples.
First, let us look at a technologist, specifically a software developer. He/she uses AI to generate complex code. On the surface, the output is perfect. It is fast, sleek, and efficient. However, that developer doesn’t understand the underlying logic behind the AI-generated working code.
When the system fails or any error occurs, they won’t be able to debug, fix and find out the problem. Why? Because they blindly took whatever was generated by AI. The case applies the same to a structural designer who uses AI for blueprints.
Second, have you noticed that today most people depend on their mobile phone digital map (GPS) to navigate from one place to another? I personally would avoid driving in Dubai without a GPS-enabled device
Over 2 decades ago, we used our mental maps to navigate everywhere (this includes Dubai with my parents). Today, if our mobile phone battery is low or dies ultimately, we panic because we have outsourced our sense of direction to a satellite. Do you see where my worry is coming from?
Third, look at how many people today use “ChatGPT” to draft a simple new message or a response, be it for personal or work. Furthermore, today we see everyone posting on social media networks (the majority on LinkedIn) with ideas, opinions, comments, etc. (something they never did before).
All this is happening because of AI, and all this will certainly end if there is no AI. The same applies to graphic designers and multimedia experts who depend on creative AI generative applications to produce creative output. Again, blindly depending on AI as the ultimate solution is my worry.
To conclude my article this week, I would like to emphasise that my concern is not on what AI can do, but on what we as humans will become (lazy, less critical, dependent and ultimately dumb). Technology is a tool, and a powerful one. But a tool should extend your reach, not replace your mind and hand. We need to remain the owners of intelligence, not just the operators of it. If we do not, the future I am worried about is not the one where machines will take over the world (as the Terminator movie illustrated); NO, but a future where they don't have to because we’ve forgotten how to run it ourselves. Until we catch up again next week, don’t just do “what AI says”, be vigilant and be safe.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
