The World of Artificial Intelligence - It's Praises and Concerns

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, it is hard to ignore the swift pace at which innovation propels us forward. From ancient tools like the compass to the current ubiquity of computers in our daily lives, humanity has charted an impressive course of progress. Today, the digital realm continues to expand, with artificial intelligence (AI) emerging as the transformative force of the moment.

Over the past year, AI has seized the spotlight across various media platforms and everyday conversations. Its potential to revolutionise the world is undeniable, permeating sectors ranging from business and education to entertainment. However, as with any groundbreaking technology, the rise of AI has sparked both enthusiasm and concern.

The praise for AI is resounding, celebrating its accuracy, speed, and precision in executing tasks that traditionally demanded human intelligence. Businesses, schools, and creative studios have integrated AI into their operations, streamlining processes and boosting efficiency. Yet, amidst the accolades, there looms a fear that AI might encroach upon human employment or be wielded for ethically questionable purposes.

Data leaks are an exceedingly dangerous risk of using AI. Many businesses use AI to make workloads easier and more manageable but with that comes the risk that confidential information leaks out to the public. 11% of data that employees paste into ChatGPT is confidential while 4% of employees have pasted confidential information into ChatGPT at least once in their life. This data is then stored on Chat GPT’s deep learning system and can be accessed and used by anyone with the right prompts or through a data breach.

This has already happened with ChatGPT being attacked with a data breach on the 20th of March 2023. The 1.2% of users who were using ChatGPT at the time had their first and last name, email address, payment address, card type, card number (only the last 4 numbers) and the card expiration date. This breach shows that security is a real concern for AI and needs to be addressed.

Notable concerns arise of AI security regarding the risks of IP leakage, data storage, and accidental leaks, particularly in the context of AI-driven chatbots. These systems operate on deep learning algorithms, implying that a substantial portion, if not all, of the information provided—whether sensitive or not—is stored for potential future use. This poses a considerable risk, especially if such data were exploited for personal gain or unauthorised access.

The future of AI poses complex questions: How should we use it? What should we consider when using it? While AI undeniably simplifies tasks, enabling a focus on more critical human-centric matters, the rapid pace of its advancement raises red flags. Soon, distinguishing an AI voice from a real one or an AI-generated image from a genuine one may become increasingly challenging.

In navigating this unfolding narrative of technological progression, our responsibility as a society lies in striking a delicate balance between leveraging the advantages of AI and safeguarding against its potential pitfalls. The journey ahead is undoubtedly exciting, but it demands thoughtful consideration and ethical stewardship to ensure that the benefits of AI are maximised while its drawbacks are minimised.