The Current State of AI
While the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence has been undeniably impressive, especially in its ability to scrape massive amounts of data from the internet. It begs a critical question. We have pooled the collective knowledge of the world to power these highly capable, “agentic” AIs, but is this truly all they can muster? Is this the absolute limit of how this technology can benefit humanity?
We expected more.
As simple as that statement might be, we were collectively hoping for innovations on a scale that could end world hunger or accurately predict and mitigate catastrophic natural disasters. Whether tackling issues at a regional or global scale, we expected AI to be a shield against our greatest crises.
The Fiction of the Persona: Evangelion
In the classic anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion, the main supercomputer relies on a foundational technology called the “Personality Transplant OS,” which replicates a human-like thought process within a machine. While the show is entirely a work of fiction, its concept comes remarkably close to the goals of today’s autonomous AI agents.
If that level of technology existed in the real world today, it could theoretically be deployed to neutralize world-ending threats. Instead, if anything resembling that power does exist, it is locked behind the closed doors of wealthy nations that can afford the incredibly resource-intensive data centers required to run it.
The Guardian We Were Promised: Person of Interest
The Machine from the television series Person of Interest offers another distinct vision of AI. It represents one of the most idealistic uses of the technology in fiction, having been built explicitly to protect human lives rather than generate wealth for a select few. In the series, The Machine’s primary directive is to safeguard the country by predicting and preventing violent threats entirely.
Bearing in mind that the show debuted over a decade ago, the AI we have today, or at least what is publicly available to us, does not come close to what The Machine was capable of. Granted, it is a fictional narrative funded by a television budget, but look at our current reality. Instead of a benevolent guardian, our most visible AI breakthroughs are tools that generate deepfake videos, mimic real people, and are actively weaponized for misinformation and other malicious purposes.
The Tool vs. The Intent
Artificial intelligence is not inherently evil. As with any technology throughout human history, a tool should not be blamed for the misdeeds of the person wielding it.
Conclusion
The current iteration of AI might not be the world-saving entity the majority of people anticipated. It is unlikely to completely wipe out human employment; rather, much like the Industrial Revolution before it, it will close old doors while opening entirely new possibilities. What truly concerns us right now, however, is that the corporate hype surrounding AI is vastly outstripping the actual, tangible help it is giving to everyday people.
Image credits: Unsplash (Robynne O)
