How Artificial Intelligence Transforming the Future

Man gathers information through his senses. Stores it as memory. And segregates all the useful ones as knowledge. After segregation, knowledge is learnt to be applied in various ways, as skills. This whole process is made possible through his intelligence. Artificial intelligence (AI) on the other hand, does the same. The only difference being that it does so unconsciously. Meaning, it has no consciousness of itself. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that it won’t match the smarts of its creator.

Today, People in the millions are surfing on their smart phones and computers. Busy feeding personal data into social media, banking and insurance portals and whatnot. As more searches are made on internet browsers, more are the user preferences saved, as computable data. (read the article on Smartphone dystopia on the website).

Also, Experiments involving AI are being conducted in the field of ergonomics, eugenics, physiology, psychology, bionics, natural sciences etc. These experiments render computable data about the mental, physiological, genetical dynamics in man and about how he responds to stimuli.

All this data eventually goes into developing newer understandings about human-machine interactions. These understandings are further evolved by the AI to come up with newer technologies, with its ability of “machine learning”. Machine learning is an important aspect of AI, allowing it to evolve, by recognizing patterns in data. That is, it gains learnings from every step taken according to an algorithm. And those very learnings become the basis for its next step.

As we move further into a cyber age at breakneck speed. So does AI get more and more sophisticated. Thanks to a greater storage capacity for data and computing power. With the possible outset of quantum computing AI would definitely become more powerful than ever. It would gain the ability to compute thousands of years’ worth of immense data, in a matter of minutes. With such advancement in AI we can speculate various scenarios in the future.

Here are some ways AI will be transforming the future:

• Advancements in Bionics

AI will enhance the human experience by enabling him to have mechanical body parts. Body parts that would be connected to the human brain exactly like the organic counterparts. Just that, they would be mechanical in nature. They might comprise of strong metallic alloys or soft carbon components. Such advancements might be a small step toward making man immortal.

• Swift conflict resolution

Advancements in AI would make the armies of the world extremely advanced and powerful. Militaries might deploy genetically enhanced bionic super soldiers, war robots, advanced war drones, etc to neutralize targets. Warfare might not remain an option in such a scenario. Because then it would mean certain annihilation of the human species. Therefore, nations would, more often than not, look for ways of resolving conflicts, peacefully.

• Self-driving vehicles

Its not very far off when we might never need to drive again. The whole of transportation networks might soon be run by AI, self-correcting its mistakes as an when required. An algorithm might be needed at first. But the AI would develop it further as and when more and more driving and traffic related data is procured. There would eventually come a time when the ever-evolving AI would become the perfect chauffeurs.

• AI in Agricultural and manufacturing industries

With appropriate algorithms involving adequate data, AI would successfully run the agricultural and manufacturing industries. Robots would be growing our food and building our cities.

• Mass protests by unskilled workforce

Since AI would disrupt the world markets by taking over most jobs in the agricultural, industrial and unskilled job sectors. A huge number of people would become jobless. That would give rise to massive protests and demonstrations. Too much joblessness might give rise to crimes, drug addiction and socio-political tension.

• Mass surveillance

Such massive joblessness, increased crime rates and social tension would empower the governments to establish states of mass surveillance using AI. Cameras would become smart enough to capture facial expressions of people passing by in public areas. Advanced algorithms and computation of data, relating facial expressions to emotional states would help identify targets. The government would be able to keep a close eye on such targets. And get them arrested as and when it feels like.

All the data on social media websites and banks would be bought by the governments. Political opponents and agent provocateurs would be identified with the help of AI. This would be done by analysing the nature of their search histories on the internet.

• Shift in Job professions

The man of the future would have to choose from one of three professions to uphold his relevance in society. A computer programmer, philosopher or an artist. Every other job profession would have been usurped by advanced AI. Computer programmers also would have to be of the top kind. Because by then, the AI would have becoming extremely competent in developing its own algorithms. Philosophers would have an edge over AI. Because AI wouldn’t be able to match a philosopher in the fields of morality and ethics. Therefore, philosophers and computer programmers would work together to create ethically superior algorithms. Artists, like musicians, actors and painters would also hold a high position in society.

• Advent of robots with emotions

Robots of the future might be able to simulate human emotions by processing trillions of terabytes of data. Data related to human facial expressions, physiological sensations, and mental states, procured throughout thousands of years. Such a robot might look identical to humans. It might even be able to console a grown adult, crying over his dead dog. Or manipulate him into giving it his bank account. With the creation of such robots, AI would reach the zenith of its creation. Getting the closest to being called a human being.