The Dangers of AI
The fear of AI is justified. It can lead to algorithmic biases and job displacement. According to Tech Monitor, Dell is expected to cut 12,500 jobs, largely influenced by its focus on AI. Additionally, AI raises ethical concerns over autonomy and ownership, and it could be misused or weaponized for malicious purposes.
So, why should students pay attention to AI?
By understanding AI concepts and acquiring relevant skills, you'll not only be better prepared for the future job market but also positioned to thrive in a world where AI integrates into every aspect of our lives and work.
Career-wise, students with AI experience are much more likely to get hired and will be more resilient to AI job displacement, meaning more job security.
It's well known that AI can help you be more productive. "A new study on the impact of generative AI on highly skilled workers finds that when artificial intelligence is used within the boundary of its capabilities, it can improve a worker’s performance by nearly 40% compared with workers who don’t use it" (Somers, 2023). This means that a task that typically takes 4 hours could potentially be completed in about 2.4 hours. "However, when AI is used outside that boundary to complete a task, worker performance drops by an average of 19 percentage points"; underscoring the importance of human oversight (Somers, 2023).
In the near term, AI can further explain course topics, help you brainstorm ideas for assignments, and be a study partner for upcoming exams. The possibilities are endless.
Food for thought
"AI is no longer some futuristic idea; it’s already being integrated into every aspect of our lives and in every industry, from healthcare and education to finance and travel. The steps we take today — in terms of where we apply AI, who participates in creating it, who can access it, and how informed we all are about its impact on our daily lives — will play an important part in shaping the future of our society. Now is the time for all of us to become AI literate."
"As individuals more deeply embrace these technologies to augment, improve, and streamline their lives, they are continuously invited to outsource more decision-making and personal autonomy to digital tools”(Anderson, J., & Rainie, L., 2023).
Think about the skills you'll need to succeed in an AI-driven world. It's not just about technical expertise; it's also about adaptability, critical thinking, and creativity.
We stand at the threshold of an uncertain future. The key to navigating the AI era lies in adaptation. To thrive in this dynamic landscape, individuals must cultivate a mindset of continuous learning and agility.
In the job market, employers are seeking individuals who can leverage AI to solve complex problems, innovate, and drive business growth.
"It should be noted that in explaining their answers, most of these experts agreed that the future of digital systems is likely to hold both positive and negative consequences for human agency. Most of the overall expert group also agreed that the current moment is a turning point that will determine a great deal about the authority, autonomy, and agency of humans as the use of digital technology spreads inexorably into more aspects of daily life" (Anderson, J., & Rainie, L., 2023).
Together, let's harness the challenges and opportunities of the AI era, while also being mindful of its potential risks. Our actions today will shape the world of tomorrow.
