Pros and Cons of Artificial Intelligence

Intelligence is best defined as the ability of an individual to adapt his/her behavior to new circumstances. Human intelligence is not a single ability but is rather a composition of abilities like learning, reasoning, problem solving, perception and understanding of language. Since ancient times, people have been thinking of designing machines that will replicate human intelligence. The concept of thinking machines appears in Greek myths like the ‘Talos of Crete’. John McCarthy coined the term, 'artificial intelligence' in 1956. He defines artificial intelligence as the science and engineering of making intelligent machines. AI Researchers hope to invent intelligent machines, which can perceive, learn and reason like humans. General intelligence is their long-term goal. By general intelligence they mean to incorporate other aspects like social intelligence, judgment, commonsense, robotics and self-awareness into machines. Researchers dream of bringing into machines, the capacity for wisdom and the ability to feel.

Pros of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence finds applications in space exploration. Intelligent robots can be used to explore space. They are machines and hence have the ability to endure the hostile environments of the interplanetary space. They can be made to adapt in such a way that planetary atmospheres do not affect their physical state and functioning.

Intelligent robots can be programmed to reach the Earth’s nadirs. They can be used to dig for fuels. They can be used for mining purposes. The intelligence of machines can be harnessed for exploring the depths of oceans. These machines serve human so well especially where human intelligence has serious limitations.

Intelligent machines can replace human beings in many areas of work. Robots can do certain laborious tasks. Painstaking activities, which have long been carried out by humans can be taken over by the robots. Owing to the intelligence programmed in them, the machines can shoulder responsibility to a certain extent. They can be made to manage themselves and their time to complete the assigned tasks.

Emotions that often intercept rational thinking of a human being are not a hindrance for artificial thinkers. Lacking the emotional side, robots can think logically and take the right decisions. Sentiments are associated with moods that affect human efficiency. This is not the case with machines with artificial intelligence.

Thus artificial intelligence can be utilized in the completion of repetitive and time-consuming tasks efficiently. Intelligent machines can be employed to do certain dangerous tasks. Machines equipped with artificial intelligence can be made to thoughtfully plan towards the fulfillment of tasks and accordingly adjust their parameters such as their speed and time. They can be made to act quickly, unaffected by anything like emotion and take the tasks towards perfection.

Cons of Artificial Intelligence
The first concern regarding the application of artificial intelligence is about ethics and moral values. Is it ethically correct to create replicas of human beings? Do our moral values allow us to recreate intelligence? Intelligence is after all a gift of nature. It may not be right to install it into a machine to make it work for our benefit.

The idea of machines replacing human beings sounds wonderful. It appears to save us from all the pain. But is it really such an exciting idea? Concepts such as wholeheartedness and dedication in work bear no existence in the world of artificial intelligence.

Imagine robots working in hospitals. Do you picture them showing care and concern towards the patients? Imagine intelligent machines employed in creative fields. Do you think the robots will excel in such fields? Thinking machines lack a creative mind. Human beings are emotional intellectuals. They think and feel. Their feelings guide their thoughts.

If robots begin replacing humans in every field, it may lead to unemployment. People will be left with nothing to do. Empty time may result in its destructive use. Thinking machines will govern all the fields and populate all positions pre-occupied by people.

Apart from all these issues, there is a fear of robots superseding us! Ideally human beings should continue being the masters of machines. If things turn the other way round, the world will turn into chaos. Intelligent machines may prove to be smarter than us; they might enslave us and start ruling the world. Man’s greedy creativity may endanger mankind!

Eventually, it is up to you whether to stand by artificial intelligence or warn yourself of the likely disaster that it may lead to. In my view, there is no ideal replacement for human beings. Artificial intelligence can help alleviate the difficulties faced by man but intelligent machines can never be ‘human’.