201300175
ENGL 203
Qatar University
In the near future computer software and machines will completely change how human beings operate by either replacing or enhancing the capabilities of some of the tasks previously considered to be strictly in human beings’ domain. In the past, fatal accidents in general aviation have been caused by loss awareness surrounding weather events due to the use of traditional methods of predicting meteorological patterns. Recent research and developments in artificial intelligence has proved that human beings can accomplish a lot by utilizing this technology and overall air travel could become much more safe and effective. Additionally, the desire of mankind to explore the universe and perform tasks that are often deemed dangerous or risky has led to the desire to craft technology to explore these areas and perform these tasks in a way that can often put humans in jeopardy. By utilizing artificial intelligence, it may be possible to continue exploring and make progress in technological developments without exposing human beings to these dangers. The need to utilize artificial intelligence in a more efficient and safe way has been a major concern to scientists, their intention is to take full advantage of this technology for the betterment of humanity. Overall, this paper explores three ways in which artificial intelligence will shape the lives of human beings: 1) increasing safety in the general aviation field, 2) protecting consumers from fraud and theft and 3) reducing the exposure to dangerous tasks such as firefighting and handling of radioactive materials.
The first way that artificial intelligence will alter human behavior is that we may be able to better transmit information and have better safety in air travel as well as greater awareness of weather patterns that affect aviation. Historically, many human beings have perished in flight travel around the world due to accidents caused by poor weather conditions and the inability of pilots’ to respond to these changing environmental conditions. Artificial intelligence could give way to some progressive software that assists pilots in evading storms and dangerous spots in even remote areas as noted in ‘Using artificial intelligence to inform pilots of weather’ - a report submitted in NASA Tech Briefs in 2006. An advantage to this development could lead to more reliable information in the aviation field. Furthermore, additional benefits could include increased safety in air transportation and better relay of information in faster time and in a more effective format. Additionally, rather than relying on traditional methods of predicting weather patterns that can lead to flight delays, cancellations and even in-flight disasters, artificial development could lead to further research and studies of weather pattern phenomena which in turn could lead to better interpretation of pro-flight briefings that once caused accidents.
Perhaps the most exciting development in artificial intelligent is that of creating robots to take over tasks that humans have no desire to do. The use of artificial intelligence in robot creation could prove to be incredibly useful for undertaking roles that are too dangerous, undesirable, or impossible for humans to handle. Developments in artificial intelligence would enable ‘others’, most likely robots, to handle dangerous and repetitive tasks that would increase the standard of living of all human beings. As demonstrated by Russell and Norvig (1995) there are certain risks associated with jobs that entail handling dangerous but necessary tasks - such as humans’ monitoring and maintenance of radioactive material at a nuclear power plant or deep space exploration. These jobs leave humans highly prone to injury that can lead to incapacitation and thus if it were possible to utilize artificial intelligence for these types of tasks, human lives could be spared. Additionally, many humans are left depressed and unfilled by engaging in boring, repetitive work tasks just to provide an income for themselves or their family. Again, artificial intelligence could be used to cover these mindless tasks that would humans to reach for their true dreams and passions. Of course, there is a great importance in engaging in these activities or tasks because they are often lucrative ventures (for example, needing to have workers at nuclear plants to promote the energy industry and other repetitive jobs in factories); however, saving human lives should be considered more important than engaging in these boring or dangerous tasks. Overall, having artificial intelligence work in extremely dangerous environments or undertaking boring tasks could be a motivation to minimize risk to human lives and maximize benefits to human livelihood.
The final benefit that artificial intelligence could have on human beings’ lives is the protection of consumers from fraud. As noted by Lemaitre, Reyes and Gonzalez in 2004 and again by Gelbukh and Reyes in 2006, software that incorporates artificial intelligence could prove to be very useful in detecting unusual variations in spending and thus notify the account holder that their bank information or credit card is perhaps being tampered with. Artificial intelligence could then take action and shutdown the account if the account if the credit card has been lost, misused, or stolen. This would result in a much faster response to the crime, especially in situations when the account holder is unavailable or unaware that fraud is taking place. Artificial information could also provide real-time information on spending that could be very useful for the individual, banks, corporation, and even the government. Moreover, the integration of artificial intelligence into the bank system could lead to an overall safer business environment as Harris concludes in the book Artificial Intelligence (2011). Because consumers and corporates would be able to spend money, make trade, and invest capital with greater confidence, it is possible that an increase in economic activity would take place. Thus, adoption of this technology - a software that can detect odd variations in spending - could be highly beneficial to the consumer, government, and entire economy with responses of a thriving economy and soaring consumer confidence.
With the increasing development of technology and software in society, it is becoming ever more possible for artificial intelligence to coexist with human life even in the very near future. Three ways in which artificial intelligence could affect human beings’ lives were discussed in this paper: general increases in safety in aviation travel, reduction of exposures to dangerous or boring tasks, protection from commercial which could boost the economy by improving consumer confidence, and an overall improvement of quality of life and perhaps even a cleaner environment due to lessening air and water pollution. In the realm of air travel, human beings have suffered deathly events such as the fall of the Twin Towers in 2001 and the disappearance of Malaysia Airways Flight 370 in 2014. With artificial intelligence, we will be able to mitigate the risks of such events and even predict weather events more effectively. Additionally, artificial intelligence could prove to take over tasks that humans are unwilling or unable to do: such as handling toxins, working in factory settings, and other ‘robotic’, mindless, or dangerous tasks that artificial intelligence would be better suited to do. Lastly, developed software has already begun to shape the way that companies and banks identify thieves and fraudulents. Improvement of these technologies could lead to a more secure bank system which would positively affect the economy and stimulate spending. Thus, artificial intelligence technology presents a lot of advantages to human beings, and further developments will lead to better lives, cleaner environment, and safe world to live in.
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