Many people might be familiar with movies like The Matrix or I, Robot. While the concept of robots taking over the world was most likely seen as an idea churned up by a mad scientist, the world’s creations taking over society in the 1950s wasn’t seen as a likely probability. Although, AI can still be seen as a sensational invention and a helpful tool to many. Whether it’s assisting with someone’s shopping experience or taking one’s order at a local fast food place, AI can be a great opportunity to let something else deal with your tasks every once in a while. But with recent technological advancements such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini, society may be facing its destruction. Although AI has some benefits such as business efficiency and reduction of human error, the real question is: has the world created a tool that could substantially destabilize human civilization? Economically and environmentally?
AI is expected to expand new safety measures, better medical health care, and advanced security techniques online and physically. The idea of a new kind of safety started as a self-driving car, which could supposedly boost safety while driving in a car (or being in a car). One of the first records of a “self-driving” car was a sketch drawn by Da Vinci that demonstrated a self-propelled vehicle. However, as earlier companies tried to recreate the design, it resulted in a poor machine that puffed up thick clouds of smoke and traveled at approximately 2 miles per hour. Later on, in 1987, Mercedes Benz along with Bundeswehr University released some of the first fully autonomous cars. The self-driving cars were similar to today’s modern autonomous cars, but self-parking and other functions were still being developed. However, the car (developed by Mercedes Benz) still prompted the driver to control the car manually under certain driving terrains and conditions.
Surprisingly, some artificial intelligence platforms can assist in dangerous tasks such as “defusing a bomb or managing harmful radioactive substances” (European Council). A platform called RRC (Resolver Regulatory Compliance) is designed specifically for accuracy online and cybersecurity. It is said to help with data accuracy and with decision-making (Britt). However, these AI management products are still on the drawing board.
Diseases and sickness are some of humanity’s most persistent problems. Fortunately, AI can help with medical care. AI has played a crucial role in forming the COVID-19 vaccine by identifying potential solutions and helping formulate new drugs (Aromatase inhibitors that help stop the growth of tumors). Also, AI can assist in performing surgery. Surgeons are adapting to a new way of doing extremely tedious and precise surgical operations. Research in orthopedics and neurosurgery “has shown the importance of AI in diagnostic and widespread artificial improvements such as total joint replacement and the management of brain tumors” (Cureus 17).
Whether it’s assisting someone with a medical procedure or just helping someone shop on Amazon, AI has reached new limits that have helped people walk again and explore new areas that were previously deemed impossible. AI can provide many positive benefits that can impact human society medically and can improve safety measures.
In the past few years, AI has spread and reached new limits around the world. NASA- and seven other companies- are expected to draw benefits from unmanned space travel such as benefits for mankind and cheaper costs, less risk of injury and danger, and the ability for longer trips out in space. Artificial intelligence has proven itself worthy in a handful of fields; such as medical assistance, transportation, and safety measures. Research indicates that AI can point out any technical difficulties within a vehicle, manage traffic, and improve safety driving measures by detecting the threat of a crash and reacting much faster than an average human being (Rafalski).
Google is also in collaboration with the UK’s Oxa; in turn, the company plans to improve not just self-driven cars, but more public transportation. The founder of Oxa, Paul Newman, stated once that “We’re buses, we’re mining, we’re industrial autonomy, ports, airports”. This niche approach, he says, allows Oxa to progress faster on issues like safety. The company plans to spread to more areas, much as Amazon did, which went from selling books online to broader e-commerce, web services, and entertainment (Palmer, Maija). To some, AI can be seen as a very frightening thing, but to others, AI is viewed as a useful way to maneuver around difficult and dangerous situations. The world might not know at this point, but AI can either be a promise of a bright future or a path to human destruction.
Unfortunately, it’s time for AI lovers to exit the room. Ever since AI was introduced to the world, the world might’ve taken a mighty step towards a bright future. But, there are also some problematic cracks in the system. First of all, China’s version of ChatGPT, DeepSeek, was recently charged for fraud; since the platform (controlled by the Chinese Communist Party) was handling and giving out biased information to its users. Consequently, society would have to deal with unfair treatment towards others who don’t fit the “standards” based on the tainted information and, ultimately, civil war between groups of citizens supporting different interests and beliefs. Dr. Pinho Neto, a Professor in Economics at EPGE Brazilian School of Economics and Finance, highlighted the potential societal consequences of this. The doctor stated that “Unchecked biases in generative AI could deepen existing societal divides, eroding trust in institutions and democratic processes”.
Small towns in Massachusetts are also being threatened. Statistics show that AI data centers threaten communities nearby by polluting the local air, increasing high energy costs, and worsening climate disasters (Tyndall). Consequently, greenhouse gases have become more potent, and global temperatures around the globe have significantly risen due to this. These harmful conditions can cause many health disorders in humans such as asthma, lung disease, or heart disease. To make matters worse, to produce enough energy for AI platforms/websites, companies need to use old, dirty power plants that not only flush waste into nearby settlements but can produce enough energy for twenty-four thousand homes. However, instead of using a mass amount of energy to power hospitals or community centers, the company uses it to boost its AI productivity.
Human nature is to create and enhance, that’s why the world created AI. AI has given us many advantages and has nudged the world a big step closer to the total artificial evolution of human society. However, AI is also draining our natural resources and hurting communities; environmentally and economically. Society may never know how to mend these problems, but as Stephen Hawking once said, “Success in creating AI would be the biggest event in human history. Unfortunately, it might also be the last, unless we learn how to avoid the risks”.