6 Jul 2018
Should We Fear Artificial Intelligence ?
Debate 1
As the fourth industrial revolution continues to progress, many still question the consequences of artificial intelligence. On one side, advocates of a quasi-miraculous artificial intelligence, these a potential source of new leaps in productivity. On the more alarmist side, others perceive superior robot-intelligence as triggering the decline of humankind. Where do we really stand? Is the rate of technological progress induced by AI overestimated in both cases? Confined, for the time being, to simple operational functions, does AI really have the potential to become a source of decision and autonomous creation? Is the theory of a technological singularity and a subsequent explosion of intelligence really credible?
The automation of tasks, made possible by this computing power, is spreading to more and more sectors within society, leading to legitimate fears amongst workers. Should we really fear robots? Are there professions and skills which will resist the increasing power of AI? What balance between the opportunities afforded by AI and the compensation for adversely affected groups? Who will be responsible for the decisions made by a digital computer?