It seems the AI (artificial intelligence) buzz is everywhere. Although it has been talked about for decades and worked on for years, it seems it just dropped like a rock on the American commercial conscience. It’s on TV ads interrupting our favorite movie. It’s splashed across magazine covers at the grocery store. But what is it? Does anybody know? Why should I, in my business and private life, care about its impact?
One respected source online says that AI is “the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings”. OK, that’s a bit vague. What tasks? Thousands of tasks are already using AI. Used a website chat lately? You could be chatting with AI. It is in use, in some level of expertise and inclusion, in many, many industries, professions, and even seemingly mundane software applications. Gaming is changing rapidly due to AI. Business software vendors are including it or planning to do so.
So why should I care?
As with any technology, the separation between helpful usage or destructive usage is a wavy line. As with nuclear power, we can get useful advantages or nuclear war. With something as powerful as AI, and it is in its infancy right now, who is making sure that it is not misused? Is it possible, as so many pundits claim, that AI could replace your job one day? Or will it make it easier and more productive?
Outside of the relatively few people involved in AI design and implementation, AI is still a novel, sci-fi subject. But it is coming. Anyone reading this article should be concerned to some extent and should start reading up on the subject. It is easy to find any level of material about it – just Google it, of course. Start with searching ChatGPT and then hold onto your chair. It goes from simple explanations, the through cross-eyed technical manifestos, and then talks about every threat known to mankind scenarios. It is a wild world to explore, but we really need to do it!
It is normal for people to distrust new technologies. Remember when the microwave was invented (sadly I do). Some thought it was going to be a major health hazard. In reality, the health hazard comes by the stuff we are nuking in it. Is mistrust in AI justified? Only time will tell. But already, governments are gearing up for regulation of the technology, which may be more dangerous than the technology itself.
We believe that businesses will embrace it, or at least, will not resist its inclusion in their software. This will include CPAs, attorneys, and medical practices, and your local charity selling doughnuts. Only off-grid hermits will be free from AI’s impact, and that’s if they do not use satellite for their internet access.
Authors note: Curtis Parker is the president of PARKERTECHGROUP in Dunn NC. As a technical business owner, he is as confused and concerned as the rest of us.
