Artificial Intelligence – Just Give me the Facts, Please

 

By Mildred Robertson

While artificial intelligence (AI) has improved various aspects of our lives, it also has its drawbacks. Because human beings must program it, an individual can insert their own biases into the output that we receive. Trash in, trash out.

A case in point is Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence chatbot platform.  That someone as damaged as Elon Musk has control over the AI's response to inquiries should trouble everyone who uses AI to search for facts. While we think it is just a machine compiling data, it is compiling that data based on the biases of its programmer.  So, we must tread carefully. It is human to search for data that supports our own beliefs, even when we want facts.

I don't know how to remove that fault from artificial intelligence.  Those of us who consume its output must be aware that biases exist and that we should balance the data received with that from other reputable sources.  When we engage in research, we must remain cognizant that our own biases influence our quest for truth.

Without appropriate oversight, AI can do more harm than good. Musk's use of this platform to advance his priorities and beliefs compromises the integrity of the platform.  Recently, a message was sent via Signal that copied Secretary of State Marco Rubio's voice and style to establish a connection and obtain inside information. The initiative failed, but bad actors will continue to distribute fake messages mimicking a politician or industry leaders until they are successful.  Cybersecurity is not what it should be, and the public is at the mercy of AI as it helps bad actors steal our information and fake our news.

Key ethical implications of the explosion of AI are that it can amplify the biases of its developers. Further AI may compromise privacy and data security, leaving vital privacy constraints to creators who may or may not have the public’s best interest at heart.  It is the developers who must create strict data protection methods to ensure that your data is not used without your knowledge or consent. But will they?

And then there is the question of who is accountable if AI makes a mistake?

AI presents the possibility of financial fraud through market manipulation. Political and social manipulation is already occurring as we see politicians and celebrities who have literally had words put in their mouths by deep fakes running rampant on the internet. Many deepfakes appear surprisingly authentic, causing people to share as though they were true.

As we stand on the brink of the next midterm election, we must all learn how to utilize this technology to get to the truth. We must seek reputable news sources and be mindful not to share information that we have not vetted for accuracy. Sometimes the most recent poll sounds so hopeful, or the latest opposition scandal sounds so damning that we can’t wait to share it.

Searching for the truth is no easy task. But neither is maintaining democracy. True patriots will take the time to KNOW and not just go with the flow. Be mindful of what you read and hear in the news, broadcasts, and social media. Understand the source of information and its intent. Be careful what you add to the national discourse.

The nightmare scenario where AI-driven weapons fall into the hands of a madman, or the AI itself malfunctions and acts outside its protocols, no longer seems far-fetched. What once seemed simply like science fiction is now an attainable outcome of advancing AI technology.

We want “I, Robot” to remain a science fiction movie and not become our reality. We want “The Terminator” to be the musings of a vivid imagination, and not our lived reality. We want Chat GPT to provide unbiased data so that relevant truths guide our actions.

This blog is MY opinion. My truth and that of Elon Musk are very different. I don’t want AI to base its conclusion on either; just give me the facts!