Recent Context
Some of the companies are seen using Ai washing.
What do you understand by the term AI washing?
AI washing is derived from the word green washing. Green washing refers to company exaggerating their environmental claims i.e. companies claiming their contribution towards environment sustainability without any actual change. Similarly Ai washing is concerned with making false claims regarding the usage of AI but in reality not doing so.
What is AI?
AI stands for artificial intelligence which is the ability of a computer, or a robot controlled by a computer to do tasks that are usually done by humans because they require human intelligence and sophistication.
Although there is no AI that can perform the wide variety of tasks an ordinary human can do, some AI can match humans in specific tasks.
Applications of AI
Knowing the meaning of Ai we can tell Ai would do wonders in all the fields where its application is concerned. Some of the applications/ advantages of the AI are as follows
- Economical – Economically AI can be used for various managerial and statistical operations. Market related issues of skilled labour unavailability can be solved by AI. It can further have an application in financial markets.
- Social – An economy that fusions its growth with technological advancements also develops the society as a whole. Living standards and lifestyles changes are likely to improve social status of the people concerned.
- Political – Use of good governance tools and advanced mechanisms will ensure better political outcomes. It can also address concerns related to freebies, burden on state exchequer and criminalisation of politics etc.
- Medical – Use of AI in medical advancements is not something new. From drug delivery to robotic surgeries are all applications of AI.
- Science – AI has great application in exploration, research and development of science and technology. Advancement in this field can be accelerated with the help of AI.
- Agriculture –Precision farming, nutrient profiling, land and soil based plantation will make the agriculture sector more efficient and productive.
- Space research and exploration– Use of AI from maneuvering to making robots for spacecraft missions have a lot of potential in space sector.
Concerns related to AI
Displacement of jobs : AI automation may lead to the displacement of certain labour intensive jobs as machines and algorithms can perform tasks that were previously done by humans. This may result in structural unemployment and require re-skilling or retraining of the workforce.
Ethical Concerns: AI raises ethical concerns such as the potential for bias in algorithms, invasion of privacy, and the ethical implications of autonomous decision-making systems.
Heavy costs: AI management and devices would need heavy investments which might result in deviation of budgetary resources from other equally important sectors and worse heavy debts.
Reliance on Data Availability and Quality: AI systems heavily rely on data availability and quality. Biased or incomplete data can lead to inaccurate results or reinforce existing biases in decision-making.
Security Risks: AI systems are at higher risks from cyber attacks and exploitation. Malicious actors can manipulate AI algorithms or use AI-powered tools for malicious purposes, posing security risks and threats.
Lack of humanly oversight: Blindly relying on AI without proper human oversight or critical evaluation can lead to errors or incorrect decisions, particularly if the AI system encounters unfamiliar or unexpected situations.
Lack of emotional quotient: AI cannot have the EQ which is highly needed at various situations in different domains. For example- Whether a medical surgery is to be performed or not considering age and other factors is something which AI cannot think of.
Lack of Transparency: Some AI models, such as deep learning neural networks, can be difficult to interpret, making it challenging to understand the reasoning behind their decisions or predictions (referred to as the “black box” problem).
Concerns related to AI washing?
AI washing is an unethical practice which poses serious threat to overall development and growth of AI.
Lack of actual investment in AI –Assuming technical firms are investing in AI, government may be diverting their investment on to other sectors leading to no or very less investment in AI sector.
No real advancement in AI –AI Washing leads us to believe there has been great advancement in development and use of AI when the actual progress was limited. It can lead to misguided investments in superficial enhancements, slowing real progress in AI technologies
Complicate decision making -AI washing can complicate decision making for businesses that are genuinely looking for valuable AI solutions. This can hinder their digital transformation efforts, stifle innovation, and jeopardise performance.
Discouraging consumers –Consumers might get discouraged to use AI leading to non utilization of potential of AI.
Global initiatives
In 2021, the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence was adopted by UNESCO.
GPAI – The Prime Minister of India inaugurated the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit. India is the lead chair of GPAI in 2024. The GPAI is an alliance of 28 countries; the European Union adopted the ‘New Delhi Declaration’ of the GPAI.
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety Summit 2023 held at Bletchley Park, England has marked a significant turning point in the global approach to tackling the challenges posed by frontier AI technologies.
All these initiatives along with national level steps and participation of people to address the challenges associated with AI is essential to reap the benefits of AI and other advancements.
