Artificial intelligence and concerns: ‘Can't trust AI when it requires trust and judgment’

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly growing field that has the potential to transform our lives in many ways. It is being used in a wide range of industries, from healthcare to finance, and has the potential to make our lives easier and more efficient.

Prof. Stuart Russell, a computer science professor at UC Berkeley, during an exclusive interview with India Today, shed light on the concerns and potential impacts of AI on various areas.

On being asked whether AI will take away jobs and whether technological unemployment is a concern in 2023, Professor Russell said it's quite likely that there will be a significant impact. 

In the area of computer programming, advancements in technology are likely to make computer programmers redundant. Using new tools, programmers can write code 5 to 10 times faster. The world doesn't need five or ten times as much software, so there will be need of fewer programmers, he said.

On the panic because of AI systems which is believed to generate scripts very quickly leading to decrease the demand for writers, the professor said, “We can't trust these systems to tell the truth because they can hallucinate things that don't exist. Therefore, jobs that require trust and judgment are less likely to be replaced by AI. While current jobs may not be immediately at risk, future generations are likely to face a bigger impact on employment.”

A few important points highlighted by Professor Stuart Russell during the discussion with India Today include:

Misuse in Education:

The Professor Russell raised the issue about the potential misuse of AI and chatbots in education. With the increasing use of AI in grading and assessment, there is a risk that students could use it to cheat or plagiarize.

AI-powered chatbots could also be used to generate essays or assignments, making it harder for teachers to detect plagiarism.

As a student, it is important to understand the risks of relying too heavily on AI tools and to use them ethically.

Accuracy and Limited Knowledge:

The accuracy and limited knowledge of AI and chatbots was another key point raised by Professor Russell.

While AI has made significant strides in recent years, it is still limited by the quality of the data it is trained on.

For example, AI models may struggle to keep up with world events that occur after 2021, making it harder to rely on them for up-to-date information.

Cyber security:

Cyber security was another important risk associated with AI and chatbots. Hackers could potentially use chatbots to generate malicious code or launch phishing attacks, putting users at risk.

Hallucination and Misinformation:

Lastly, Professor Russell highlighted the potential for AI and chatbots to produce hallucinations or misinformation.

While AI models can sound confident, they may be completely wrong in their responses.

Also, AI-powered chatbots could be used to efficiently distribute propaganda or false information.

As a user of AI tools, it is important to be skeptical of information that seems too good to be true and to double-check any information before accepting it as fact.