Having followed the growth of new technologies during the last four or so decades, it’s hard to believe how fast things have changed. Perhaps too fast! All aspects of modern society are affected — everything from communications, transportation, medical practices, banking, employment, data storage, etc., etc. However, with new technologies there are also opportunities for such innovations to be abused, for all the wrong reasons.
Let’s start with hacking. The Internet and World Wide Web allows governments, corporations and individuals to communicate and interact in a timely fashion. However, having so many critical infrastructure computerized, it also allows for potential hacking. We unfortunately have seen increasing incidents of malware and other hacking tools affecting the security of institutions such as hospitals, municipalities, and airports for example. In addition, data being collected by different organizations needs to be protected from outside hacking. Today, our personal information is being gathered and kept in a multitude of sites. The question of the privacy and security of such information can often be suspect. Such info can give criminals and others a substantive amount of personal data which can then be used for nefarious purposes such as ID theft. In some cases, there are criminals who use the technology, including artificial intelligence, to blackmail institutions and individuals. This growing risk has led to a whole new industry providing high-tech security measures, another major cost to all of us.
Then there is the case of an increase in the theft of high end vehicles. Today, there are literally hundreds of microchips in our vehicles. Some vehicles don’t even need a key to enter or start their ignition, and simply have a start button. However, despite the fact that manufacturers have introduced some technology to prevent unlawful entry, the crooks appear to have caught up by using new digital means. With computer devices and mobile apps, they can access and start most makes of newer high end vehicles, while overriding tracking devices used by the police to locate stolen vehicles. There is plenty of evidence that these crimes involve highly organized criminal groups, both national and international. Many stolen vehicles end up in Asian and African countries, and are never recovered. Of course, this adds to the insurance costs associated with vehicles in general.
Now, we have the growing field of artificial intelligence (AI) which again has introduced new concerns about unlawful use. The use of AI to imitate a person’s voice patterns is an interesting development. It has already created a stir in the music industry. For example, it was announced that Sir Paul McCartney says he has employed AI to help create what he calls “the final Beatles record”, including a song by John Lennon. However, it has also brought about scams and more scams. For example, someone using AI could duplicate the voice patterns of a loved one, using it to convince someone that the person is in trouble with the law and needs a transfer of money. Seniors, as in the past, are particularly at risk.
Then there is the question of the increasing use of AI in one’s work, especially affecting white collar workers. Employers could use the threat of displacing workers through the introduction of AI, notably with respect to productivity and compensation matters. Research conducted in recent years varies widely on how many jobs will be displaced due to AI. A 2016 study from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) estimated that 9 percent of jobs would be completely displaced in the next two decades. Many more jobs will be transformed, if not eliminated. AI is increasingly making its way across industries, changing jobs from retail to medicine to marketing. However, there are those that believe that such technology is also essential to improving the country’s productivity growth, a key measure of how efficiently the economy produces goods. That could ultimately lead to higher average wages and fewer work hours. For that reason, they argue that our economy actually needs more AI, not less. Time will tell.
Everyday there are new studies that dwell on the impact of new technologies such as AI, now and in the near future. Like with any new technology, there are risks. It is up to researchers to explore the potential risks and recommend how one can eliminate or at least reduce the risks.
FROLITICKS 