Recently, Elon Musk announced the launch of his new company, X.AI Corp, which has brought attention to the growing field of artificial intelligence (AI). As one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, Musk’s move into AI begs the question of what we can expect for the future of humanity.
To begin understanding the impact of AI on our world, we must first establish a foundational understanding of the three main ways AI will drastically change our lives:
1- Productivity
Firstly, AI is revolutionizing productivity. Imagine having an intelligent assistant who can instantly complete tasks for you. While you still need to oversee their work, the time saved is enormous. As a result, companies will require fewer workers for many tasks, causing significant job loss in the white-collar workforce. Those who remain employed will need to possess high levels of problem-solving skills and intelligence.
2- Dependency
Secondly, AI’s powerful productivity means it will be integrated into as many systems as possible. This integration creates a point of dependency, and if the AI is removed or breaks down, entire systems could fail. Additionally, as people become reliant on AI for certain tasks, they may forget how to perform them independently. A good example is the use of GPS systems, which have made navigation easier but have also caused many individuals to rely entirely on them, forgetting how to read a map.
3- “Illusion
Thirdly, as AI is used to create more content and facilitate interactions, it becomes increasingly difficult to discern what is “real.” We have already seen examples of fake news, manipulated images, and chatbots tricking people into believing they are human. In the future, AI could create customized digital worlds that seduce people away from real-world experiences, causing them to become increasingly dependent on the system.
