All said and done, ‘Artificial Intelligence’ is still artificial !

Artificial Intelligence (AI) basically refers to the theory and development of computer systems so as to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages.

As of now, this subject and its future are being discussed in various ways and forums. The ‘ChatGPT’ technology that came into existence in November 2022 shook the internet world. The 4th version of this technology has arrived and is ready to deliver even more shocks. This will involve interaction with an AI machine such as a robot, computer or electronic device. With the help of its AI, the relevant robot or machine will be able to give accurate answers to your questions in a few seconds.

Further developments in this technology will result in accurate answers to more and more questions in the shortest possible time.

Warning notices from Technology manufacturers

Although ChatGPT was introduced in collaboration with Microsoft as a separate technology, we have been using it in various ways for some years. Amazon ‘Alexa’, Apple ‘Siri’, Google ‘Assistant’ are all computer systems made using AI. The ‘Ask Disha (Direction)’ facility on the Indian Railways website is also similar in nature. Although ChatGPT has gained a good reputation and establishments in various sectors have benefited from it, the increased discussion of its potential side effects has in some ways created fear about its future. Elon Musk, CEO of the world-famous Tesla Inc., is always eager to experiment in the field of technology. Some months ago, his company, Neuralink, implanted a chip in the brain of a monkey and showed the world that the monkey could use it to handle computers. Musk says that if this chip is installed in the human brain, its efficiency can increase manifold. This simply means allowing the programme to do as it pleases by interfering with the natural instincts of humans. Although Musk’s research was criticised, he continued to ignore it.

Elon Musk is now against ChatGPT. He is also the co-founder of OpenAI, which invented ChatGPT. Elon Musk recently said that AI will be a threat to human life in the future. Although it has many benefits, it is also a big risk. “Somebody needs to control the research on AI”, Musk said.

Italy has banned ChatGPT, and other European countries are taking steps towards banning it. Geoffrey Hinton, the Godfather of AI, said, “I have suddenly switched my views on whether these things are going to be more intelligent than us in the future. I think they’re very close to it now … How do we survive that ?” Hinton has also quit Google, citing concerns about the technology he invented. Although the danger posed by this technology has been stated by its inventors, other establishments, business organisations are using AI to their advantage.

America’s alertness

A few days ago, US President Joe Biden called a meeting of the heads of all major technology companies in his country, warning them – ‘Tech companies have a responsibility, in my view, to make sure their products are safe before making them public. Developers of the technology would also have to address potential risks to our society, economy, national security’. China is preparing for war against India on the strength of this AI. It is reported that artificial soldiers (robots) with AI have been deployed along the Indian border. The threat of AI is that it will reduce the workforce, increase unemployment; however, there is a lot of time for this to materialise.

Ability to discern must be awakened

The main problem with AI is that if a normal individual is asked a question, he can analyse the questioner’s intentions and give the same answer differently, or can even avoid giving the answer altogether; but how will an AI machine be able to analyse intentions ? The machine will attempt to answer as fast as possible, instead of understanding the purpose of the question. This is where the danger lies. For any information in the world, Google provides related links for which you spend time to get the relevant information. AI gives the same information precisely and accurately. It can be dangerous if used for acquiring complete information about an individual, including that of his personal life; obtaining information to produce dangerous items such as bombs; if used for activities such as obtaining answers to question papers during school and college examinations; or to receive answers to questions during interviews; for administering drugs; attacking someone personally; revealing confidential information of a country, etc.

Out of concern, we often ask ‘Does your conscience permit this ?’ We often advise others to use their power to discern while speaking and acting. In a nut shell, research on AI needs to be restricted to limited fields and that too with an open mind; for this to happen, it is necessary to first perform spiritual practice that awakens the power to discern.

AI needs to be restricted, for which it is necessary to perform spiritual practice and awaken the power of discernment !