Why Does Artificial Intelligence Scare Us So Much?~ Critique

Dear Ms. Weisberger,

I have recently read your article, ‘Why Does Artificial Intelligence Scare Us So Much?’ with interest; which led me to discover major misconceptions that you in community with the rest of the authors portray. I am writing to inform you of the flaws I had discovered in your article on your facts and the points you make known. My purpose is to outline these aspects to you in my letter to counteract any misunderstandings causing to the readers.

In your article you use ideas that prosper from quoting ‘Science-fiction writing and popular movie’ with no scientific facts attached to the assumption of AI ‘outcompeting and enslaving humans or targeting them for extinction.’ Continuing, your writing becomes tenuous as in paragraph four the phrase, ‘leading figures in technology and science have warned about the looming dangers AI “may oppose”’ suggesting effects of AI on society are still mere theories. It is not to forget that the use of artificially intellectual robots and machinery takes place in the world we live in today. This work is being carried out in the most highly trained facility areas for purposes and conditions not in the capacity of an average human being. Maybe it is time for whoever in denial to start eating with their hands because these ‘leading figures’ forgot to let people know that Artificial Intelligence is the reason we have our stainless-steel cutlery and most of our appliances. AI is used to achieve the impossible and it will not have a greater effect in society if we expand its use.

In your writing, you have used exaggerated wordings of most famous authors and technology entrepreneurs with no opinion on your behalf to conceal the weakness of your article. There are two sides of each debate, people like Elon musk and Stefan Hawing together make one fraction of a whole, hence we cannot stop creating a more efficient world with fear of synthetic devices nor believe foolishness as ‘robots going down the street killing people.’ As Ginni Rometty_ the CEO of IBM (International Business Machines) _ says ‘These are technologies to augment human intelligence,’ describing the main fact that the person in control of the AI plays a pivotal role in the end results as well. This is a combination of man and machine to create something extraordinary. Information including MIT Nightmare Machines does not help the society to face their fears nor guides them towards the facts; instead, it makes people believe rumors as Musk ‘declared that humanity faced a greater risk from AI than from North Korea.’ Your writing makes readers doubt the set limits of machine algorithms; which are structured to only mimic the human brain, hence creating fear and hatred of what has not yet be proven.

Next, I agree on your points stating ‘people are afraid of, is that if super-intelligent AI — more intelligent than us — becomes conscious, it could treat us like lower beings, like we treat monkeys’. Though when you write ‘Perhaps, if people could put aside their fears of hostile AI’ makes the reader doubt your intentions of writing this article. You did not give the reader any clear sign that you were to state facts on both sides of the argument. This further contradicts your title because Killian Weighnergers statement ‘AI reaching consciousness — there has been absolutely no progress in research in that area,’ does not in any way link to ‘why people are afraid of AI.’

Nevertheless, this article states to explain why AI scares us so much, I feel it lacks credibility as most of your information is derived from fanatical sources as in the last paragraph you somehow relate your entire writing piece to a TV episode. I believe your persuasive skill are great; by using short paragraphs and quotes from famous influencers, your writing makes the reader want to know their viewpoint on the topic. Plus, to be able to add a catchy title to attract the audience’s attention is a win on your behalf too. While writing, you did lose your purpose and ended with an uncertain tone leaving the main question unanswered is to ‘why are people so unnerved by the idea of AI?’

To conclude, I hope this letter makes you rethink your words and other failings in your article. This Ms. Weisberger is not man vs machine, and, instead of spreading fear, we should encourage others and help expand their knowledge of this topic by teaching the ethics and the use of technology. We can bring so much good in the world if we make these creations more common and use them for the right tasks. The world will renew itself becoming more efficient as we continue to learn from our mistakes. I understand change is scary, but in the end it will all be worth it.

Sincerely,

Reader