With the advent of AI, the global world is reshaped by uplifted efficiency and improved decision making. Economic and healthcare domains are revamped with the emergence of AI. Estimates suggest that AI could increase global GDP by 15.7 trillion dollar by 2030, with substantial contributions from different regions, such as China, North America and Europe. AI encompass predictive analytics for disease diagnosis and the creation of personalized treatment plans. Use of technologies like ‘IBM Watson’ in anacology assists cancer specialists, ‘AlphaFold’ plays crucial role in predicting protein folding, ‘BioMind’ is specifically designed for medical image analysis and ‘DeepMind Health’ helps in patient monitoring and predicting patient deterioration.
AI plays substantial role in national defense, aiding data analysis, surveillance and military decision making. The new term ‘hyper was’ has been introduced to describe the accelerated pace of warfare facilitated by AI. Smart cities came into existence as metropolitan areas are using AI to improve urban service delivery, resource management and environmental planning. Smart cities applications include intelligent traffic signals, energy management and e-governance. AI has accelerated scientific research because AI algorithms can analyse complex data sets, simulate experiments and identify patterns in scientific research, leading to breakthroughs in fields such as drug discovery, climate modeling, and genomics.
Like a double-edged sword, AI has boundless potential while casting shadows of uncertainty, revealing that within its marvels lie both the promise of progress and the peril of unintended consequences which gives the idea of not completely relying on artificial intelligence. Its potential to revolutionize industries, streamline processes, and improve human lives is undeniable however, we can’t overlook its menace. The biggest drawback of AI is that the work previously done by humans are now performed by AI-led machines which results in job losses. Countries like Pakistan are already facing unemployment and invention of AI machines will worsen the situation. The creativity and innovation in mankind is stifled by relying too heavily on AI generated content. Creative works generated by AI might lack the uniqueness and individuality that human can bring into their work.
AI weapons and drones are exacerbating the threats of terrorism and global disparities between developing and developed countries in the adoption of artificial intelligence which can worsen the international peace. Similarly, students and artists are overly depending on artificial intelligence. This would lead to homogenization of creative output. Artificial intelligence itself is creation of man and result of creativity but it has started to cause the death of its progenerator. Due to rampant use of AI, human society is witnessing the death of creativity.
AI’s impact on mental health and social well-being cannot be overlooked. While technological advancements promise greater connectivity and convenience, they also foster social isolation and dependency. As AI-powered devices and virtual assistants become ubiquitous, human interaction diminishes, leading to feelings of loneliness and disconnection. Moreover, the incessant demands of the digital age contribute to stress, anxiety, and digital addiction, exacerbating mental health issues among individuals of all ages.
The dire consequences of AI shouldn’t be ignored and adequate measures should be taken to deal with the repercussions. From job displacement to cybersecurity threats, the risks associated with AI are multifaceted and far-reaching. Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort from policymakers, technologists, ethicists, and society at large to ensure that AI technologies are developed and deployed responsibly, ethically, and in the service of humanity’s collective well-being. Only then can we harness the transformative potential of AI while safeguarding against its darker manifestations.
The author is an undergraduate in School of Politics and International Relations, Quaid-e- Azam University, Islamabad with interests in International Relations and technology. She can be reached at aromazaman75@gmail.com