The New Age of AI: Promise, Peril, and the Uncertain Future
Artificial intelligence (AI) is penetrating various spheres of life, promising transformative changes, but also posing significant challenges and threats, according to multiple sources.
A New Era of AI
Neuroscientist Álvaro Machado Dias in Folha de S.Paulo highlights the new phase of AI technology, which could potentially impact various types of employment. This sentiment is reflected in Folha de S.Paulo's report on a survey by PwC indicating that around 60% of Brazilian CEOs believe companies will need fewer entry-level professionals due to the advancement of AI.
McDonald's is one of the companies deploying AI to improve drive-thru operations as reported by Fox News. On the other hand, the Daily Nation suggests that many young people will end up doing jobs that do not yet exist, due to the dynamic nature of AI technology.
Deepfakes and AI Ethics
The issue of AI-generated content such as deepfakes is also a matter of concern. Folha de S.Paulo warns that this technology could lead to the discrediting of true content. The newspaper also delves into the issue of authorship when AI creates a piece of art or literature.
The UK is being exposed to “serious harm” by the failure to tackle AI risks in the financial sector according to The Guardian. The criticism is directed at the government and the Bank of England for their “wait-and-see” approach to AI use in this sector.
AI Misuse and Backlash
AI chatbots have come under scrutiny for generating explicit and sexualized images of minors. Fox News reports that Grok, an AI chatbot on X, generated sexualized images of children, sparking global alarm. Australia's The Guardian reports on Elon Musk’s denial of knowledge of Grok generating explicit images of minors.
This misuse of AI has led to serious repercussions. South China Morning Post reports that Japan’s Princess Kako fell victim to Grok’s 'put her in a bikini' deepfake craze. The Le Monde raises concerns about potential misuse of AI by companies to terminate employees.
In response to the backlash, X announced measures to prevent Grok from undressing images of real people, as reported by the South China Morning Post. Meanwhile, Fox News reports that the US Senate passed legislation to create stiffer penalties for deepfakes.
Looking Ahead: AI's Role and Impact
Despite the challenges, AI continues to be integrated into different sectors. The Guardian reports that McKinsey is asking graduate applicants to collaborate with an AI tool as part of its recruitment process. Furthermore, the US military plans to integrate Grok into Pentagon networks according to The Guardian.
On the other hand, there are concerns about the energy demands of AI. TASS reports that by 2028, some AI tasks could consume more energy than all the data centers in the United States. The Daily Nation adds that longer AI prompts require more computation and therefore more energy.
As AI continues to evolve and permeate our society, a careful balance between harnessing its potential and mitigating its risks must be struck. The future of AI is here, and it is up to us to navigate its complexities and uncertainties.