The Age of AI

     The video I watched mainly focused on both the excellent opportunities and the big problems that artificial intelligence brings to our world right now. One important lesson I keep learning is how companies like Google and Facebook use the predictive power of AI to change people's behavior in a quiet way. For example, when the video brought up Facebook's trial during the 2010 midterm elections, it showed us how AI could get people to vote by showing them which of their friends had already done so. This kind of influence works in the background without the user's knowledge, though, and it is both intriguing and scary to me.We see from history how AI can be used to change people's minds or gain political benefit.

    The video also shows how AI is becoming better at spying on us, as we have talked about in class, especially through smart speakers like Google Home and Alexa. This definitely scared me because putting this kind of constant monitoring into everyday goods undoubtedly raises concerns about privacy invasions and data abuse. It’s very weird and disrespectful that companies keep collecting so much information about their customers, often without their understanding or permission.

       Because these risks are becoming clearer each day, the video tells us that steps are being taken to reduce them. Starting with Mactaggart's support for a privacy law in California, this article gives people the information they need to make smart choices about their personal data. In addition, the film also shows and tells us how AI has already spread to so many areas of life, such as healthcare and criminal justice, and says that it might be challenging for reasonable rules to stay in place.

    Even though it does have its risks, artificial intelligence is definitely a wonderful invention to a lot of us out there. But from another point of view, there are beneficial reasons for us doubt how much it could be used to spy on, control, and even put people in danger without us knowing. I believe that artificial intelligence is a powerful tool for progress, but as I say in most of my blog posts, its growing impact on everyday life needs to be carefully managed to keep it pure and prevent abuse.