Mohammed Abdu
“AI and humans are both creators of knowledge, just as sculptors and painters are both artists, but in my view they will forever be separate and distinct,” says James Brousseau, a philosophy professor at Pace University who also teaches AI ethics at the University of Trento in Italy. “One will never be better than the other, just different.”
Brousseau spoke on CNBC's “Make It” show, and his comments highlighted the interconnectedness of the two intelligences and why AI will never completely replace humans.
The future of our society is uncertain, but most experts agree that AI is unlikely to replace many humans in the workforce. We live in an era of unprecedented technological advances, and scientists are still struggling to predict exactly what the impacts will be. They are seriously debating whether we will one day see fully automated systems that do not require human direction or intelligence.
That's because, unlike machines, humans are intuitive, emotionally intelligent and physically adaptable. That's what distinguishes humans from artificial intelligence. Humans use their intelligence to innovate and specialize, while AI takes over boring, automated tasks. But therein lies the concern.
The shift to a professional workforce will intensify competition for skilled labor, but many argue that these workers will be increasingly difficult to find. This is due to flaws in the education system, government corruption at home and abroad, and an increasing lack of ethical standards among individuals. Here again, AI could be the solution.
In education, AI can improve learning experiences by tailoring them to the needs of each student, reducing learning outcomes and skilled labor shortages. In other sectors, such as healthcare, AI can assist medical professionals in diagnosis and data processing, leading to more precise treatment.
Highly skilled experts may face AI's greatest threat, as AI accumulates more knowledge and becomes able to use it more accurately and quickly.
Regardless of who or what it replaces, it is important to establish high ethical standards for the use of AI. Increased use of AI will have profound effects on people.
Using AI for the public good requires transparency and commitment, and we need to educate people on how to use it effectively and embrace the major technological advancements that are now a reality.
With sufficient safeguards in place, AI can reach its full potential: empowering humans rather than replacing them.
Mohamed Abdou is a student at Shippensburg University and a participant in the Harrisburg World Affairs Council and PennLive’s 2024 Summer Internship and Enrichment Program.
