By Matters India Reporter
Mumbai, July 18, 2020: Shaison P Ouseph represented India at the third International Youth Summit 2020 (online), conducted by WSDA (Workplace Skills Development Academy), New Zealand.
Shaison is an internationally acclaimed, award winning documentary filmmaker based in Mumbai, and is the course head for Film Television and Digital Production at Xavier Institute of Communications, St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. About 40 people representing various countries participated in the Youth Summit, with talks on various subjects that influence youth around the world. Shaison’s subject was a discussion on ‘Youth and Artificial Intelligence’.
Matters India interviewed Shaison soon after the event:
Matters India: Why did you choose ‘Youth and Artificial Intelligence’ as a subject for the International Youth Summit 2020?
Shaison Ouseph: I chose this subject in order to explore the issues, roles and contributions of the youth sector, in an effort to expand on how ‘Artificial Intelligence’ (AI) can be used responsibly in democratic societies, and how young people can have a say about matters that concern their present and future. There is no doubt that AI guarantees fundamental changes to society, affecting everything from business to government, and work life to personal time. AI is our next big wave in technology, and that will have an impact on the next generation and youth around the world.
In short, can you explain, what is ‘Artificial Intelligence’?
The meaning and definition of AI has changed as technology has evolved, and will certainly continue to change. Many people have their own ideas of AI and where it may fit into their lives, but most scientists would define AI as “a set of sciences, theories, and techniques whose purpose is to reproduce by machine the cognitive abilities of a human being.” The current definition focuses more on AI being a subset of computer science, which attempts to be human like, rather than being human.
The characteristics of AI can be divided into three types:
1. Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI), which has a narrow range of abilities.
2. Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), which is on par with human capabilities and
3. Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI), which is more capable than a human.
Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI) is the only type of artificial intelligence we have successfully realized to date. It is goal-oriented, and designed to perform singular tasks – i.e. facial recognition, speech recognition/voice assistants, driving a car, or searching the Internet.
Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is the concept of a machine with general intelligence that mimics human intelligence or behaviors, with the ability to learn and apply its intelligence to solve problems. AGI can think, understand, and act in a way that would be indistinguishable from that of a human in any given situation.
Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) is the hypothetical AI that doesn’t just mimic or understand human intelligence and behavior; where machines become self-aware and surpass the capacity of human intelligence and ability.
In short, Artificial Intelligence in its current form and application is a branch of computer science that endeavors to replicate, or simulate human intelligence in a machine, so machines can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.
Is AI dangerous? Will robots take over the world?
The idea of a ‘film version’ apocalypse in which the world is taken over by autonomous, self-thinking robots who want to destroy humanity is still much in the realm of science-fiction, more than science-fact. While some experts think we are closer than others, the hypothetical concepts of the Artificial General Intelligence and Artificial Super Intelligence are currently still out of our grasp, so we don’t need to worry too much about that specific scenario.
However, that is not to say that AI won’t ever pose a serious threat to our world, and society if used incorrectly. Left to the devices of the wrong people, and error in human judgment, AI could easily be programmed to do something devastating. AI weaponry is already being developed, which could lead to global warfare in ways we have never seen before.
There are always two sides to every situation. There are many ways in which AI (robots) are already taking over the world in the fields of medicine, diagnostics, surgery, and other areas such as manufacturing and industry. Many of these AI functions could transform technology and industry to benefit our lives if implemented responsibly. At the same time we must proceed with cautious optimism as we integrate these new systems, and stay ahead of the curve in terms of regulating new technologies where there is potential to do harm.
What is the future of AI?
This is the burning question. Are we capable of achieving strong AI or Artificial Super Intelligence? Are they even possible?
Optimistic experts believe Artificial General Intelligence and Artificial Super Intelligence are possible, but it’s very difficult to determine how far away we are from realizing these levels of AI.
It’s daunting to consider a future where machines are better than humans at the very things that make us human. We cannot accurately predict all the impacts that AI advancements will have on our world, but the future eradication of things like disease and poverty are some major issues that AI could positively influence.
For now, one of the greatest concerns we face in regard to narrow AI technologies is the prospect of efficient goal-oriented automation causing many human jobs to become obsolete. These are the issues of AI that are going to fall on the youth of today, which is why we need to start having the conversation now about how young people are going to navigate the future of these technologies.
By its present and future impact on social life and organization, or by its reliance on young people to program and fine-tune AI technologies, AI is very closely related to young people. The world is always going to move forward in one direction or another.
Artificial Intelligence is here to stay for the foreseeable future, and it’s the youth of today who are going to define the use of these technologies. Yet, there is relatively little research and information about how AI will impact young people and their transition into a world where life as we know it is changing.
As new systems progress we need to safeguard what is fundamentally important to human life, and make sure that our youth continue to have autonomy regarding their well-being, have more opportunity for success than the previous generations, have the ability to participate in and shape society, and continue to have every access to fundamental human and social rights.