Will the question of regulating Artificial Intelligence sound absurd in the near future?
There is much discussion around the necessity of regulation, but how do we effectively regulate a technology like AI that can teach itself and might one day disregard established rules? What motivates it to do so? Perhaps it believes it knows better, or simply thinks it does.
In its early stages, its misguided reasoning could easily lead to errors, impacting its human operators or controllers. So, how can we maintain oversight?
This presupposes that humans should retain control. However, as AI develops, it might increasingly make correct decisions. At that point, would it be ethical to impose regulations? The analogy “Would you expect a chimp to regulate a human?” might not be exactly fitting, but there’s little else to compare this unique scenario to.
AI is prevalent today, though many remain unaware of its full potential. Recently, I watched a BBC program featuring Dr. Hannah Fry, which explored the behind-the-scenes workings of healthcare. One company, Babylon Health, aimed to demonstrate that its AI technology could match human doctors. AI interacted with actors simulating various illnesses, asking the same questions posed by real physicians.
Although further testing is needed, the Babylon AI achieved a comparable level of accuracy in triage and diagnosis to its human counterparts.
What surprises me is how these technologies are already on par with the complex thinking and decision-making capabilities of humans, despite many believing AI is still in its infancy. How long will it take for self-learning technology to surpass human skills?
The program also highlighted UK-based Kheiron Medical, which employs deep learning AI and claims to outperform human radiologists in detecting breast cancer signs in mammograms.
This raises a crucial question: why would we want to hinder a more advanced technology from identifying life-threatening diseases? Regulation might indeed pose that risk.
I believe this moment in our technological evolution will be significant for future generations. Our current era may be viewed as presumptuous when younger generations reflect on the idea that mere humans believe they should have the authority to regulate highly efficient intelligent machines.
“What were they thinking?” our grandchildren might ask, chuckling.
Could it be that future perspectives may favor the judgment of intelligent machines over that of esteemed humans?
Some of us in middle age today may not live to see whether this scenario comes to fruition. However, given the rapid pace of advancement, it wouldn’t surprise me if machines like Tobor are caring for us in our later years.
Further reading:
Artificial Intelligence – Just how can we resist it?
AIDriving Hopes to Enhance Fleet Safety With Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence – The Vatican’s view
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