The Double-edged Sword: Is AI Friend or Foe?

via Bianca Beatriz A. Perez, Pressroom PH

As the world progresses and looms into a modernized and technological slate, the use of Artificial Intelligence or AI has been rampant in weaving to the fabric of our everyday lives, becoming a tool of efficiency. From its advances towards our entertainment, to assistance in professional settings. However, the question remains: is AI a tool for enhancement or impairment?

In the modernized sector we live in today, there is no denying that we have driven technological advancement, one contributing factor to that statement is AI, which is prominent in the society we consume.

The impact of AI is undeniable, but the very pros of the double edged sword offers the contrast to its convenience, posing significant peril towards its seeming innocence, which is why understanding both points is crucial especially in flowing towards the future of our present.

On one hand, AI is used in the brimming future as it offers countless possibilities such as impact towards several daily factors in our lives, an example would be healthcare. In a statement from ForeSee med by Steve Barth: “The promise of AI in healthcare extends into the future, where connected digital ecosystems and powerful analytics engines will reshape our understanding of health and disease.

However, the primary challenge is not AI’s inherent capability to excel, but rather the integration of these tools into everyday clinical practice.” In an article for AI in Healthcare, AI in the medical field focuses its impact on the practicality of its role in integration towards the daily clinical practice for assistance rather than replacement, in the advancing world that continues to revolve. Similarly the impact of AI continues to grow and contribute to more daily expenditures such as the optimization of resources, and catering to the academic needs of students.

However, there is a shadow that follows the figure of pros as the AI's potential looms in certain perspectives. With the flexibility of AI in taking over current roles in the job market, taking with it, opportunities and positions.

A prime reason why AI is seen as a double edged sword in contrast to its optimization and efficiency, is the lever pulled from the concern of job displacement. “Certain predictions such as a 2013 study from the University of Oxford, speculated that nearly 47% of US jobs could be automated by AI over the following two decades. This prediction seems to have been overstated, however, with more recent insights indicating that experts widely agree on how AI serves,” taken from University of San Diego's: The Impact of AI on the Job Market and Employment Opportunities.

Job displacement due to automation has become a major concern, moreover to sectors which are heavily reliant towards redundant tasks. However, heavier roles especially those of ethical implications sparks the question of possible misuse, examples are deepfakes which are synthetic media commonly used in advertising and misinformation, covering the highlight of AI's potential for harm.

Navigating this complex circumstance requires an open minded approach, through AI possibilities are made continuous as its equipment in surrounding factors of efficiency remains prominent, especially in terms of its societal impact in the technological era we live in today. Developing and constructing firm guidelines and regulations with proper information aids in the foundation of a safer modernized world, promoting transparency and accountability in algorithms used in AI fosters a fit and safe working environment.

AI is not predetermined as a friend or a foe, as it depends on the choices and decisions we surround ourselves and create, through embracing the innovation we are blessed with and impactful engagement with proper information. We can forge a path and use the advancement while keeping ourselves grounded, as we mitigate towards a better, and flourishing technology serving state, let progress and preserve humanity’s effort for a well-rounded community.

The future of AI is ours to shape. Let us be the mold of progress, not destruction.