Monday column: When Artificial Intelligence controls our world
They said those days there were no computers or mobile phones and even satellite channels to send images and voices from one place to another. What's more, they explained, AI can find you information for you in a matter of seconds.
They thought, as their teacher, I was behind the time and I had no right to teach them about AI and the wonders of technology.
Obviously, they were not impressed about me. I smiled at them but I knew I had to back my claim quickly before they started walking out of the class. Then I asked the question. 'How your voices, images and music are sent quickly from one place to another in real time?'
One of them, with a frown on her face, told me by 'having our devices like phones and computers connected to the wifi.'
I thought I should not waste their time and go straight to the point because obviously technology has not taught them much.
For the next five minutes, I told them what carry our information from one area to another, is the light. Then I explained light travels at an incredible speed and that's why the devices transmit 'live' information instantaneously.
They asked,' so what?'
I asked them, 'do you believe in angels?'
Without a delay they said 'yes.' Then I asked them that if they believe that the job of the angels is to record all our earthly deeds to that giant database somewhere in the universe so we can be judged in the last day of judgement.
They said 'yes' again.
'And that is AI,' I told them with a smile,' it is transmitting our deeds to that big computer on a daily basis.'
That means, I added, AI has been used since the creation of the universe. It was then I saw them smile and acknowledge it. I am sure now, every time they get online to search for information, they will have that in mind.
After the class, one of the students told me that in a remote village that he lived somewhere in Oman, the villagers have no use of Artificial Intelligence. Their lives are simple. They work in their farms in the morning, gather to talk in the evening and go to sleep early in the night.
Almost all of them there do not have mobile phones. They don't miss much either. They are busy with their surrounding and the most important thing, grateful what they have. They don't have much because they do not need much.
But it is a different case in the cities where no one dares go out without their mobile phones. It is an ammunition of their daily routine. They look at their phones as they walk and do not see much but the electronics world.
Statistics show that about 70 percent of the traffic accidents are caused by drivers tinkering with their mobile phones as they drive. While their cars navigate the roads, their minds are deep into the distant world.
Well, enough has been said about Artificial Intelligence. The word 'artificial' says it all. It is not real but imaginary and we are deeply embroiled in it.
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Times of Oman
5 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Oman to promote use of drones to maximise benefits
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Times of Oman
a day ago
- Times of Oman
Monday column: When Artificial Intelligence controls our world
When I told my students that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not new and it is as old as the beginning of the universe, they thought I was going crazy. They said those days there were no computers or mobile phones and even satellite channels to send images and voices from one place to another. What's more, they explained, AI can find you information for you in a matter of seconds. They thought, as their teacher, I was behind the time and I had no right to teach them about AI and the wonders of technology. Obviously, they were not impressed about me. I smiled at them but I knew I had to back my claim quickly before they started walking out of the class. Then I asked the question. 'How your voices, images and music are sent quickly from one place to another in real time?' One of them, with a frown on her face, told me by 'having our devices like phones and computers connected to the wifi.' I thought I should not waste their time and go straight to the point because obviously technology has not taught them much. For the next five minutes, I told them what carry our information from one area to another, is the light. Then I explained light travels at an incredible speed and that's why the devices transmit 'live' information instantaneously. They asked,' so what?' I asked them, 'do you believe in angels?' Without a delay they said 'yes.' Then I asked them that if they believe that the job of the angels is to record all our earthly deeds to that giant database somewhere in the universe so we can be judged in the last day of judgement. They said 'yes' again. 'And that is AI,' I told them with a smile,' it is transmitting our deeds to that big computer on a daily basis.' That means, I added, AI has been used since the creation of the universe. It was then I saw them smile and acknowledge it. I am sure now, every time they get online to search for information, they will have that in mind. After the class, one of the students told me that in a remote village that he lived somewhere in Oman, the villagers have no use of Artificial Intelligence. Their lives are simple. They work in their farms in the morning, gather to talk in the evening and go to sleep early in the night. Almost all of them there do not have mobile phones. They don't miss much either. They are busy with their surrounding and the most important thing, grateful what they have. They don't have much because they do not need much. But it is a different case in the cities where no one dares go out without their mobile phones. It is an ammunition of their daily routine. They look at their phones as they walk and do not see much but the electronics world. Statistics show that about 70 percent of the traffic accidents are caused by drivers tinkering with their mobile phones as they drive. While their cars navigate the roads, their minds are deep into the distant world. Well, enough has been said about Artificial Intelligence. The word 'artificial' says it all. It is not real but imaginary and we are deeply embroiled in it.
Observer
4 days ago
- Observer
AI can help boost film-making among Omani youth
Seventy-five young Omanis recently gained firsthand experience using Artificial Intelligence in film-making, sparking their creativity and desire to produce advanced films on par with international movies. An exclusive workshop on AI in cinema-making was held as part of the Oman Film Society's (OFS) efforts to empower Omani youth and cultivate a new generation of creative film-makers in collaboration with the Youth Centre. Titled 'Experience the Skill of Film-making with Artificial Intelligence', the specialised workshop was led by trainer Abdulaziz al Abri and took place across three governorates: Muscat, Al Sharqiyah North and Al Batinah North over nine days, running from July 20 to August 14. Mohammed bin Abdullah al Ajmi, Chairman of the Oman Film Society, stated in an interview with the Observer that the ambitious project aimed to reach passionate film-makers. "Through this workshop, we aim to connect with as many young people interested in film-making as possible and shape a generation of Omani film-makers equipped with modern film-making techniques," he said. The workshop, which began in Muscat and travelled through Al Sharqiyah North before concluding in Suhar, Al Batinah North, attracted over 75 male and female students from across Oman. The training programme covered various topics, including scriptwriting principles and using AI tools to produce footage. The participants completed five practical projects over three intensive days to showcase their newly acquired skills. Trainer Abdulaziz al Abri emphasised the promising level of creativity displayed by Omani youth during the workshop. He noted the participants' enthusiasm for interacting with AI tools and technologies and the impressive results achieved in a short time frame. "This experience, conducted in three governorates, served as a platform for unleashing the talents and ambitions of young individuals, and the outcomes achieved in just nine days are a source of pride and optimism," he said. Al Abri stressed the importance of continuing such training initiatives, highlighting that integrating AI into cinematic work is no longer a luxury but a necessity to keep pace with the global digital transformation in the industry.
