Almost all of us cannot readily think about a life without smartphones, but only 20 years ago such devices didn’t exist. The speed of the innovation has changed our world so greatly that it sometimes seems like we are in a sci-fi movie. However, this amazing advancement comes with both the benefit and the responsibility.
Medical science has provided us with what seems to be superpowers. Ailments that were the cause of the death of large populations are now vaccines with a simple shot. People are not only living longer, they are also healthier and more vigorous during their old age. An average person today lives 30 years longer than the great-grandparents of the person. It is not only a number, it is more time for loved ones, more opportunities for dreams, more life to live.
It has become almost effortless to get around the world. Our great-grandparents would certainly be surprised if they saw us taking planes for a weekend getaway to places where we used to travel for months by ships. The world is getting smaller which means that cultures and opportunities are getting closer than ever before. Moreover, we have devices in our pockets that are more powerful than the computers that helped humans to the moon. We can video call with someone who is on the other side of the earth as easily as if we were speaking to our neighbor over the fence.
The only thing is that all these wonders of progress require careful management. When new technologies run without proper control, we end up losing what makes us human because of the risks we face. It is like giving a strong weapon to an army without instructing him on how to handle it safely, something is going to be wrong sooner or later.
Several leading figures in the technology sector have voiced concerns over AI development outpacing human control. The AI systems might, in the absence of constraints, pursue efficiency to the point that they disregard the values and needs of people. It is not only AI technology that faces the risk of causing the downfall of humanity, genetic manipulation may also result in the changing of human nature if it is left without restrictions.
It's a must to get the right balance. The world could be deprived of the very innovations that make life more comfortable if the number of restrictions is too high. On the contrary, too few restrictions could take us on a hazardous road. The right place is the one where we make careful and wise updating instructions that keep man safe and at the same time motivate growth. It is similar to traffic laws – they don't stop us from driving but only help ensure everyone gets to their destinations safely.
The dangers of the technology aren't only speculations. We are already witnessing algorithms that make decisions, which in turn, have a significant impact on people living in many different ways such as loan approvals, and criminal sentencing. In a world with no supervision, these systems might be the source that causes even more deep discrimination and inequalities.
It is true that there is still the good side of the picture. People's safety should never be compromised for the progress to be made. Actually, smart regulations can be a major factor to push technological advancement by providing clear guidelines on how technology can be developed. If inventors and researchers know their limits, they will be able to use their genius to come up with solutions that not only extend the benefits to the community but also lower the safety risks.
The best way to solve this problem is through a joint discussion between the tech companies, the decision-makers, and the general public. We have to ask ourselves tough questions as to where we go and what kind of future we want to build. The innovation has to be a helper for human beings and not vice versa.
The future that lies ahead of us is something that we should be eager about, but still cautious about the results. We can still uphold our values and principles while accepting the advances in technology. All the above-mentioned should be the core of anything that goes under the name of human progress.
The image used is AI generated.
Posted Using INLEO