Grasping Artificial Intelligence 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the world in profound ways. The full potential of AI is  unimaginable, and we are witnessing the dawn of a new technological era that will impact nearly every  aspect of life. AI will influence everything from the job market to education, politics, and military  warfare.

Although AI’s rapid development had been underway for several years, it caught the public’s attention  when ChatGPT version 3.5 was made publicly available in November 2022. Developed by OpenAI,  ChatGPT is a type of AI software known as a Large Language Model (LLM). Its popularity surged quickly,  making it the fastest-growing online service in the world. ChatGPT reached 1 million users in just five days.

A significant concern surrounding AI is the potential job losses. Historically, technological  advancements have always influenced the job market, but the scope of AI’s impact is much broader  and more immediate than previous innovations. There are two primary reasons for this. First, AI’s  influence will not be confined to a single sector but will extend across all industries. Second, the rapid  and massive impact of AI will result in millions of jobs being displaced. However, just as old jobs will  be eliminated, new ones will emerge. New job opportunities will demand AI skills. As AI continues to  evolve, having a basic understanding of AI will become essential for securing a job.

The next major area AI will affect is education. Initially, when ChatGPT gained popularity, students  began using it to cheat on assignments. News stories emerged globally about how students were  leveraging ChatGPT to complete their homework. However, AI can also be used positively in education.  Countries like Japan have already introduced guidelines on how AI can be used in schools. AI can assist  teachers by reducing their workload, explaining complex concepts to students more effectively, and  helping with tasks like fact-checking and language learning. Japan has emphasized that while AI can be  used for educational purposes, it must not be used for cheating.

Another pressing concern with AI is its potential use in political propaganda. The misuse of AI in politics  poses serious risks, and we have already seen instances of this. In various countries, AI has been  misused during elections to spread false propagandas by one party against the other rival parties to  mislead the voters towards their side for vote bank. These were early examples of AI’s involvement in  political campaigns.

As AI continues to develop, it is crucial for people to understand how it works, how it can be used, and  how it may be misused, especially in areas like political manipulation and fraud. In the future, AI is  poised to drastically change the world, with companies like Boston Dynamics already creating  humanoid robots capable of moving, running, and jumping like humans. Some researchers have even  integrated ChatGPT 4.0 into humanoid robots like Ameka, allowing them to hold realistic conversations  with humans.

The key to navigating this rapidly changing landscape is education and adaptation. The more we  understand AI, the better prepared we will be to embrace its potential and shape the future of our  careers and lives.

Thsachoba TS