On the Challenges of the AI Revolution – Navigating AI’s dystopian realities

Source: The post on the Challenges of the AI Revolution has been created based on the article “Navigating AI’s dystopian realities” published in “Business Standard” on 2nd December 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Science and Technology – Developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

News: The article discusses the challenges that AI regulation faces in its implementation. It also highlights the scope of the future AI revolution and points to the issues that may arise due to it.

Read in detail about the Bletchley Declaration here.

What is the Bletchley Declaration?

29 countries such as the US, the UK, China, Australia, Brazil and India, along with the European Union have agreed to work together to prevent “catastrophic harm, either deliberate or unintentional” which may arise from artificially intelligent computer models and engines. The document emphasizes the necessity of aligning AI systems with human intent and urges a deeper exploration of AI’s full capabilities.

What are the issues with the Bletchley Declaration?

1. Behind the pace of the technological curve (The technological curve refers to the rate at which technology advances or progresses over time).
   This is because technology evolves swiftly, making it challenging for regulators to anticipate and understand the implications of new developments fully.
2. Not Enforceable: No binding agreement was adopted by the participating countries, either for nations or AI developers.
3. Signatories have continued encouraging AI R&D: No nation will deliberately slow down R&D in AI for fear of being left behind and foregoing economic benefits (NASSCOM projects Al could add 12-13% to India’s GDP within 2 or 3 years).
   Funding for AI has increased (currently there are 120+ Al unicorns globally).

For more on the Concerns with the Declaration, read here.

What are India’s initiatives in the field of AI?

1 India is part of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI).

2 National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence: The Government has published the document with the objective of developing an ecosystem for the research and adoption of Artificial Intelligence i.e. #AIFOR ALL.

3 INDIAai, the Government of India’s National AI Portal: It is a repository of AI based initiatives in the country at a single place.

4 Corporate and academic-corporate initiatives: These include those by Nvidia, IBM, IIT Madras-Ericsson, etc.

5 Initiatives such as the Semiconductor Mission which will augment the AI ecosystem in India by building high-end manufacturing capacity.

What are the future applications of AI as predicted by the author?

1. Physical Infrastructure: By 2030, all physical infrastructure and related applications are expected to be run by Al. This includes power grids, telecom networks, highway systems, ports, metros, airports, city traffic lights, satellite networks, municipal water supplies.
2. Defence Sector: AI will almost completely takeover defence applications with the induction of autonomous weapons systems, robotic vehicles, munitions design, etc.
3. Miscellaneous: AI will also impact healthcare, drug research, law enforcement, retail, financial systems, autonomous cars.

What are some of the challenges posed by the AI Revolution?

Mass State Surveillance: AI, equipped to conduct facial recognition and analyze extensive data, will empower governments to maintain round-the-clock profiles of citizens. This will make dissenting against governments difficult.

Autonomous Weapons: It has the capability to power drones capable of identifying and eliminating targets without requiring human intervention. These machines have the potential to make life-and-death decisions without direct human intervention, leading to ethical dilemma regarding the value of human life.

Cybersecurity Issues: Through replicating voices and faces, it can produce convincing fake news, deceive individuals, or bypass cybersecurity measures.

Perpetuates Biases: Algorithms trained on current data might suggest granting STEM scholarships exclusively to males and providing bank loans solely to individuals from upper-caste backgrounds.

Even though the economic benefits associated with AI development are predicted to be significant, its dangers must not be ignored. It is important to develop safeguards at a faster pace to prevent harm while reaping its advantages.

Question for practice:

Artificial Intelligence brings with it not just vast opportunities, but grave challenges as well. Discuss in the context of the signing of the Bletchley Declaration.