How AI will change all our lives forever
ARTIFICIAL Intelligence (AI) has arrived in full force and will impact our future, transforming industries, the job market and our daily lives in ways that we haven't even thought of.
The exciting possibilities that it poses challenge our imagination and give us hope for so many positive outcomes – in the fields of increased productivity, personalised healthcare and other innovative solutions.
At the same time, AI has also raised our concerns about job displacement, data privacy and many ethical considerations.
AI's integration into the various sectors of human endeavour, from manufacturing to finance, is already reshaping the way we work and live.
Its continued development and presence (many call it 'intrusion') into our daily lives will require extremely careful management so that humans remain its masters to harness its myriad benefits and at the same time, mitigate its many potential risks and dangers.
How will AI affect our future?
AI-powered automation has already been used to streamline processes in various industries which has led to increased productivity and efficiency.
In return, we have had reduced human errors and in cases of emergencies, autobots have been able to work around the clock without any breaks in between.
The downside?
Automation has meant the loss of jobs that previously were handled by humans.
A drastic reduction in manpower needs spell doom for fast growing populations, especially those in India, China, and many Third World countries.
There are five areas where I personally feel that AI will impact in a most positive way.
They are revolutionising healthcare; transforming transportation; advancing agriculture; modernising finance; and reshaping retail trade.
AI is already enabling personalised treatments, aiding in predictive diagnostics and improving patient care, and will see further inroads made in disease prevention and treatments.
It is also driving improvements in autonomous vehicles, optimising traffic flow and advancing logistics in ways both accurately and expeditiously.
In agriculture, AI has made strides in improving crop yields, managed environmental impact and optimized resource utilisation.
It has also assisted in rendering ideas and statistical solutions for humans to further explore the new possibilities on gainful production systems.
AI's use in the world of finance has assisted in fraud detection, algorithmic trading and in personalised financial advice.
However, in this field, it has its detractors who feel that AI is also capable of intruding too much into our personal data and thus, the 'invasion of privacy' issue is still being hotly debated.
Finally, in the field of retail trade, AI has been responsible for optimising e-commerce platforms, improving customer service and offering highly personalized shopping experiences.
With the fast-growing trade online with speedy deliveries to homes and offices, this has meant more efficient systems and a faster delivery time frame for both supplier and customer.
What about the impact of AI on the job market?
Bill Gates was famously quoted having said in March this year (Source: CNBC) that most jobs would vanish in the 'Age of AI', but there would be three professions left that would outlast the machines: coders, energy experts and biologists; 'fields that demand creativity, real world problem-solving, and ethical judgement – all the key factors that AI is not able to fully replicate'.
Gates continued to add that AI too would replace many doctors and teachers, and that humans would not be needed for most things!
Geoffrey Hinton, one of the most respected minds in AI and often called the 'Godfather of AI', in a recent interview, had also sounded the alarm.
Hinton said that AI could begin rewriting its own code within the next five years, and when that happened, it would become increasingly difficult for humans to understand, manage or control what these systems would be doing, or why they would be doing it.
Scary, isn't it?
As AI becomes more autonomous and capable of modifying itself, the risks multiply, from runaway learning systems to the development of goals misaligned with our human values and ethics.
In the meantime, AI-powered automation will likely replace workers in routine and repetitive jobs, requiring a shift towards more creative and analytical roles.
Individuals will need to adapt to the changing job market by acquiring new skills and embracing lifelong learning.
Of most serious concern are the ethical and societal implications of what AI can do and will most likely be used for extensively – that of data privacy, security and regulation.
All AI systems rely heavily or almost entirely on vast amounts of data, raising concerns about data privacy and security.
There is also the fear that with AI algorithms, societal or guided biases input if aimed at biased targets can lead to unfair, discriminatory and even fatal outcomes.
It is, therefore, crucial to develop and deploy AI systems responsibly, and for all users and those in positions to wield commands over them, to fully consider all these ethical implications to ensure fairness, balance and transparency.
As AI becomes more pervasive by the day, it is up to our governments and organisations to establish appropriate regulations and governance frameworks to ensure its safe and ethical use.
As the 'Godfather of AI, Hinton stresses the gravity of the urgent need for international cooperation and ethical safeguards.
He has called for a global ban on autonomous AI weapons and a code of conduct to ensure that AI could not be exploited to spread misinformation, manipulate populations or develop dangerous levels of autonomy.
AI, per se, holds immense potential to transform our future for the better, the greater good, but it also presents humankind significant challenges that require proactive management.
We must address all the ethical concerns while fostering responsible development as we prepare our workforce for the changing landscape.
With the right approach and a balanced mindset, we can use and harness the limitless power of AI to help us create a more prosperous, equitable, peaceful and harmonious future for us all.
May God help us all if a day comes when the machines take total control.
Amen.
* The opinions expressed in this article are the columnist's own and do not reflect the view of the newspaper.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Perak MB encourages AI adoption in Islamic affairs, highlights digital initiatives
IPOH, August 7 — Muslims should not view artificial intelligence (AI) as a threat but as an opportunity, provided it is guided by divine revelation and aligned with Islamic principles, said Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. Speaking at the launch of a national symposium on AI challenges, Saarani said that technological progress must be aligned with the principles of Maqasid Syariah, which prioritise the preservation of religion, life, intellect, lineage, and property. 'In line with this awareness, various digitalisation initiatives and the integration of AI are being actively strengthened at the national level. 'Efforts to enhance digital technology in the governance of religious affairs are now being vigorously implemented across the country,' he said at the event held at the Perak Royal Golf Club. Saarani highlighted several digital initiatives already implemented at the state level that integrate technology with Islamic administrative affairs. Through a collaboration between the state government and the Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk), the Perak Digital 2.0 Portal now offers an e-donation feature with dedicated QR codes, enabling Muslims to contribute to mosques safely and transparently. He said JAIPk has also initiated early exposure to AI technology among its personnel to explore its potential in enhancing religious services. This includes developing a Shariah-based virtual assistant to answer basic fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) questions and assisting in filtering deviant social media content. Further embracing modern technology, the Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPk) has launched the MAIPk Bestari application, which allows for the digital payment of zakat fitrah, enhancing efficiency and convenience for payers. In addition, Saarani noted that the Perak Digital application, specifically designed for state mosques, was upgraded in 2024 with new modules and enhanced security systems for managing data, activities, e-donations, and administration. The Perak Mufti Department is also strengthening its staff's digital communication skills through comprehensive ICT training.
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Trump says US will levy 100% tariff on some chip imports
WASHINGTON: The United States will impose a tariff of about 100% on semiconductor chips imported from countries not producing in America or planning to do so, President Donald Trump said. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday the new tariff rate would apply to "all chips and semiconductors coming into the United States," but would not apply to companies that had made a commitment to manufacture in the United States or were in the process of doing so. "If, for some reason, you say you're building and you don't build, then we go back and we add it up, it accumulates, and we charge you at a later date, you have to pay, and that's a guarantee," Trump added. The comments were not a formal tariff announcement, and Trump offered no further specifics. It is not clear how many chips, or from which country, would be impacted by the new levy. Taiwanese chip contract manufacturer TSMC - which makes chips for most U.S. companies - has factories in the country, so its big customers such as Nvidia are not likely to face increased tariff costs. The AI chip giant has itself said it plans to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in U.S.-made chips and electronics over the next four years. An Nvidia spokesperson declined to comment for this story. "Large, cash-rich companies that can afford to build in America will be the ones to benefit the most. It's survival of the biggest," said Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at investment advisory firm Annex Wealth Management. Congress created a $52.7 billion semiconductor manufacturing and research subsidy program in 2022. The Commerce Department under President Joe Biden last year convinced all five leading-edge semiconductor firms to locate chip factories in the U.S. as part of the program. The department said the U.S. last year produced about 12% of semiconductor chips globally, down from 40% in 1990. Any chip tariffs would likely target China, with whom Washington is still negotiating a trade deal. "There's so much serious investment in the United States in chip production that much of the sector will be exempt," said Martin Chorzempa, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. Since chips made in China won't be exempt, chips made by SMIC or Huawei would not be either, Chorzempa said, noting that chips from these companies entering the U.S. market were mostly incorporated into devices assembled in China. "If these tariffs were applied without a component tariff, it might not make much difference," he said. Chipmaking nations South Korea and Japan, as well as the European Union, have reached trade deals with the U.S., potentially giving them an advantage. The EU said it agreed to a single 15% tariff rate for the vast majority of EU exports, including cars, chips and pharmaceuticals. South Korea and Japan said separately that U.S. agreed not to give them worse tariff rates than other countries on chips, suggesting a 15% levy as well. - Reuters
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
SoftBank's AI investment spree to be in focus on at Q1 earnings
FILE PHOTO: A view of the OpenAI and SoftBank Group logos on the day of an event to pitch AI for businesses in Tokyo, Japan February 3, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo TOKYO (Reuters) -When Japan's SoftBank Group reports earnings on Thursday, its mammoth investments in artificial intelligence companies are set to take the spotlight. Analysts and investors are keen for updates on how they will be financed, the timeline for returns to materialise and whether assets will be sold to fund the new projects. SoftBank has embarked on its biggest spending spree since the launch of its Vision Funds in 2017 and 2019. It is leading a $40 billion funding round for ChatGPT maker OpenAI. SoftBank has until the end of the year to fund its $22.5 billion portion, although the remainder has been subscribed, according to a source familiar with the matter. It is also leading the financing for the Stargate project - a $500 billion scheme to develop data centres in the United States, part of its effort to position itself as the "organiser of the industry," founder Masayoshi Son said in June. SoftBank has yet to release details on what kinds of returns its financing of the Stargate project could generate. The extent of third-party investment will determine what other financing tools, such as bank loans and debt issuance, it may have to deploy. In July, SoftBank raised $4.8 billion by selling off a portion of its holding in T-Mobile. "If other sources of capital are less supportive, SoftBank could look to asset-backed finance, which is collateralised by equity in other holdings," Macquarie analyst Paul Golding said. The Japanese conglomerate is expected to post a net profit of 127.6 billion yen ($865 million) in the April-June quarter, according to the average estimate of three analysts polled by LSEG. That would mark SoftBank's second consecutive quarter of profit and follow its first annual profit in four years when it was helped by a strong performance by its telecom holdings and higher valuations for its later-stage startups. Its results are, however, typically very volatile and difficult to estimate due to manifold investments, many of which are not listed. SoftBank's performance in exiting from investments and distributing profits has been patchy of late. The Vision Funds had made a cumulative investment loss of $475 million as of end-March. That said, 13 of 18 analysts have a "buy" or "strong buy" rating for SoftBank's stock, according to LSEG. Although there is some concern in the market that AI-related valuations have become bubbly, they continue to climb. OpenAI is in early-stage discussions about a stock sale that would allow employees to cash out and could value the company at about $500 billion, according to the source - a huge jump from its current valuation of $300 billion. (Reporting by Anton Bridge; Additional reporting by Krystal Hu; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
