Misconceptions Too Many People Have About Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence is sweeping through the technological world like a wildfire and with such rapid growth, misconceptions are bound to happen. These misconceptions have been growing and shifting since the earliest advent of the technology and as it progresses and grows in influence, many of these early thoughts and theories only seem to grow in size. From fears of the unknown to apprehensions over the capabilities of this technology, many individuals embrace these common misconceptions and believe them to be the truth.

Whether or not you are familiar with the full breadth of artificial intelligence and its application, you are probably familiar with a number of these misconceptions from media and popular culture references. While these beliefs are incredibly widespread, they are often untrue and only help to perpetuate the fears and myths about the potential of artificial intelligence. Educating yourself on the functionality and scope of artificial intelligence and its benefit to society can help dispel a number of these misconceptions. 

Once you are familiar with the myths surrounding this new frontier in the technological world, it will become easier to understand the benefits without being consumed by the fears. Many of the fears around AI technology are driven by misinformation and hype, so reading up on the truth versus the myths will help you determine which of these misconceptions are unfounded. There are a number of resources available for those who wish to educate themselves about all the possibilities that come along with these advancements in artificial intelligence.

This article aims to help you understand how the following widely believed misconceptions are wholly inaccurate: 

1. Robots will Enslave the World

One of the most overblown misconceptions that are believed by even some of the world’s most progressive tech leaders is that robots will eventually enslave the world. Whether they become smarter than us or become violent overthrowers, the myth is that AI technology has the potential to outpace the humans that created it and overturn the balance of society as a whole.

The biggest reason that this myth is hard to believe is because of the vast amount of human oversight that goes into creating these technologies in the first place. From failsafe protocols to the legislation of the technology, human intervention is inherently built into the systems as they are created, ensuring that a robot takeover is not only unlikely but also nearly impossible. 

2. AI Will Take Over All Jobs

Another popularly held misconception about artificial intelligence is that it will soon take all jobs away from humans, replacing them with robots and computers that perform menial and complex tasks. While robots and computer applications have become increasingly efficient at performing a number of these tasks, the number of jobs overall has remained the same despite the rapid growth of the industry. Even as the technology becomes more widespread and effective, it has not come close to replacing the need for a human touch in almost every industry.

Perhaps in the future, the balance will become skewed, but for now, there remains a need for human workers to aid and oversee all aspects of artificial intelligence in the workforce. Regardless of how much these applications affect the workplace, there will always need to be a human behind the scenes to maintain, oversee, and even develop artificial intelligence. This misconception is one that will take a long time to become true if it ever even does!

3. Artificial Intelligence Will Soon Surpass Human Capabilities

Another big fear in the world of artificial intelligence is that it will soon surpass human intelligence, capabilities, and interaction. This fear has been around since the earliest versions of artificial intelligence and shows no signs of subsiding any time soon. The truth behind it is that while this technology does in fact surpass human abilities in some small aspects, it is a long way off from becoming better than humans in many areas. 

Human creativity, empathy, and ingenuity have been the major driving force behind progress and innovation for centuries. No matter how fine-tuned a computer application becomes, it is nearly impossible to program a machine that can come close to emulating the nuanced aspects of the human brain. While robots and AI applications continue to improve every day, nothing can replace the inherent skills of the human consciousness. 

4. Humans and Robots Will Appear the Same

Another often held belief is that we will find ourselves in a world where it is almost impossible to tell the difference between a human and a robot. While not as pervasive as some of the other misconceptions about AI, this is a fear that has been explored in literature and films to the point where it has become a commonly held belief by many. The idea that you could find yourself talking to a hyper-realistic robot is unsettling for many, leading to the perpetuation of this myth. 

While this might be something to consider in the distant future, the fact is that artificial intelligence still has a long way to go before it comes close to perfectly emulating real human personality and conversation. The unique challenge of creating realistic human interactions through AI technologies is the unique qualities found in each and every person. Additionally, the nuance of language, humor, and conversation is nearly impossible to recreate in a believable way. 

Whether you believe these misconceptions yourself or if you have heard them from others, the truth is that most of them are false and will remain so for the foreseeable future. As technology continues to progress, more and more misconceptions will arise and consequently proven false. All we can do is continue to stay educated and on top of the innovations as they arise. A little research goes a long way toward understanding this remarkable technological frontier.

One of the best ways to uncover the fact from the fiction is to find a great book about the subject. If you are interested in learning more, Cool Things Chicago’s list of the best AI books is a great place to start.