Artificial Intelligence Should Not Be Our Enemy
Artificial Intelligence will not replace our working processes, but rather, transform them. It will help us to achieve more through reframing the ways in which we work, think and create. If we choose to fight it, we will miss out on the opportunity to enhance our overall performance.
Some scientists predict that emergence new AI technologies will result in significant automation of human labour, in industries such as health, education or transportation. It could be seen as a result of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which follows the notion of natural implementation of new technologies, as seen in history already. It could be argued that similarly to the emergence of world wide web or the factory assembly lines in the previous revolutions, workers will likewise adapt to AI entering their workplaces.
According to Forbes, 56% of businesses have already implemented AI for customer service and 51% for cybersecurity and fraud management. While it may reduce the need for employment in those areas, it might open new opportunities for performing tasks that are based on creativity, rather than the repetition of tedious labour.
In terms of the creative industries, art contests have been threatened by AI intervention already, for example in 2022, when Jason M. Allen won first place in Colorado State Fair Fine Arts Competition with an image generated by Midjourney - an artificial intelligence system. The artist claims that he was transparent about his AI practices, and that the contest allowed the use of 'digital technologies.' He also highlighted that the process was more complicated than just clicking a few buttons and that he spent 80 hours refining the artwork in Photoshop. Yes, there was criticism, which suggested that his behaviour encouraged cheating, however, Allen demonstrated that the concept of art is fluid. It is to be redefined and AI is a mere tool in the hands of an artist.
Fighting against AI and boycotting it will not work given how it has already been integrated with modern workplaces. Whether we choose to profit from it or ignore it, it's too late to stop its rapid spread.