The Age of Artificial Intelligence: The Greater Equaliser or Divider?
Artificial intelligence is evolving at an unfathomable rate. Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and DALL-E have made democratised global access to knowledge, while AI-driven systems are increasingly being utilised in industries like education and healthcare. Despite these advancements, there are numerous concerns surrounding the usage artificial Intelligence. Some believe that unequal access to these tools, particularly in developing countries with limited digital infrastructure, will further widen the socio-economic disparity in society. Others believe poorly trained algorithms can reinforce existing biases, disproportionately excluding marginalised groups. In either case, the unprecedented impacts of artificial intelligence, whether good or bad, deserve discussion.
Firstly, artificial intelligence can provide low-cost solutions for education, healthcare, and business innovation. AI utilises a large database of information, allowing users to gather information across the web in the blink of an eye. This helps to streamline the information-gathering process, and allows marginalised individuals to be empowered with relevant information for any circumstance.
Additionally, AI acts as a form of economic empowerment. For freelancers and smaller enterprise, AI serves as a simple, and cost-effective option to maximise workflow efficiency. For example, table management systems in restaurants can integrate AI tools to identify trends in customer spending habits. This would help companies to grow more quickly, by making use of AI systems as a catalyst for progress.
Lastly, artificial intelligence’s versatile applications can help to increase the quality of life for marginalised communities. For instance, real-time AI transcription systems such as Otter.ai aid individuals with hearing or visual impairment to more easily communicate and interact with other in the community. Thus, this would improve their access to education, employment, and other public services.
However, there are also concerns surrounding the growing reliance on artificial intelligence in the status quo.
The advent of AI can widen the digital divide significantly. High-speed internet, digital infrastructure, and digital literacy are all prerequisites to leveraging AI. However, many rural and low-income communities lack these resources, thus limiting their ability to use AI-powered tools.
Moreover, AI systems trained based on biased datasets can perpetuate stereotypes and discrimination against marginalised groups. For instance, hiring algorithms have been guilty of favoring male candidates over female candidates, reflective of the same historical, prejudiced trend. Thus, AI may integrate biases into their algorithms, leading to unfair discrimination, perpetuated by automated systems.
In addition, automation powered by AI can disproportionately affect low-skill jobs, such as working as a cleaner, cashier, or construction worker. Given that AI systems can complete automated tasks with no breaks, no pay, and no mistakes, companies have the incentive to lay off menial labourers and replace them with more efficient automated systems. However, this also leaves disadvantaged groups vulnerable and constantly on edge due to the risk of unemployment.
All in all, AI holds the potential to be a transformative equaliser. However, its current trajectory risks exacerbating to existing divides in the staus quo. By understanding and addressing access disparities, algorithmic biases, and system inequalities, society will be able to make use of AI as a positive tool for equity, rather than exclusion.
