2023 Winning Blog Post

100% Scholarship Winner, Muskaan Niyas

Will computers and AI take over society in the future?

The idea of computers and artificial intelligence (AI) taking over society has been a topic of discussion for many years. It is a contentious subject that has scintillated many debates, with some people believing that it will happen and others believing that it is just science fiction.

Firstly, it is important to understand what we mean by “taking over society.” When people talk about computers and AI taking over, they usually mean that these technologies will become so evolved that they will be able to make decisions for humans and regulate many aspects of our lives. This could include things like driving our cars, making medical decisions, and even deciding who gets hired for a job.

One argument for why computers and AI will take over society is the idea of “singularity.” Singularity is a hypothetical point in the future when AI will become so advanced that it will be able to improve itself at an exponential rate. This means that it will quickly become much smarter than humans and will be able to make decisions that we cannot even begin to understand.

However, there are also many arguments against the idea of computers and AI taking over society. One of the main arguments is that computers and AI are only as intelligent as the humans who program them. This means that they will never be able to make decisions that are truly independent of human influence. For example, a self-driving car may be able to make decisions about when to stop and go based on its programming, but it will never be able to decide whether to run over a pedestrian or not. These kinds of decisions will always need to be made by humans.

Another argument against the idea of computers and AI taking over society is that humans are adaptable. While computers and AI may be able to perform certain tasks better than humans, humans are still able to learn and adapt to new situations. This means that even if computers and AI become more advanced, humans will still be able to find new ways to add value to society and make a difference in the world.

Furthermore, there are ethical considerations to take into account. If computers and AI were to take over society, who would be responsible for their actions? Would it be the programmers who created them, or the AI itself? And what about issues like privacy and data security? If computers and AI were in control of so much of our lives, who would ensure that our personal information was being kept safe?

Conclusion:

In conclusion, while the idea of computers and AI taking over society is a popular topic of discussion, it is unlikely to happen shortly. While these technologies are becoming more advanced, humans are still capable of adapting and learning, and we will always be needed to make important decisions that cannot be automated. Additionally, there are ethical considerations that must be taken into account when considering the role that computers and AI may play in the future. As we continue to develop these technologies, it is important to carefully consider their impact on society and to ensure that we are using them responsibly and ethically.

References:

1. Bostrom, N. (2014). Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies. Oxford University Press.
2. Chalmers, D. (2010). The singularity: A philosophical analysis. Journal of Consciousness
   Studies, 17(9-10), 7-65.
3. Ford, M. (2015). Rise of the robots: Technology and the threat of a jobless future. Basic
   Books.
4. Russell, S. J., & Norvig, P. (2010). Artificial intelligence: a modern approach. Prentice Hall.
5. Brynjolfsson, E., & McAfee, A. (2014). The second machine age: Work, progress, and
   prosperity in a time of brilliant technologies. WW Norton & Company.

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