Jan. 14, 2024
Artificial intelligence is expanding at a rapid rate. It is already being used for purposes including cancer detection, crime-solving, financial data analytics and much more. Its development comes with both opportunities and reasons for concern.
In 2022, OpenAI, an AI research and deployment company, released its large language model chatbot, ChatGPT. This took the world by storm as it made AI free and accessible to the public.
In education, one of the main issues with ChatGPT is that students can use it as a shortcut to complete or cheat on assignments and assessments.
According to a 2023 survey by the education resource website BestColleges, 56% of college students who were interviewed had used AI tools to help complete assignments or exams. Four out of five students said their instructors discuss the ethics of using AI in a classroom environment.
ILLUSTRATION BY ALEX SKOWRONSKI
Not only is AI being used in schools, but it is having a major impact in workplaces. According to the news organization CNN, some tech firms have justified AI as the reason for layoffs and reconsidering new hires. In 2021, the file hosting service Dropbox laid off about 16% of its staff, citing AI as the main reason for the cuts. Similarly, in 2023, Chegg, an education company, eliminated approximately 4% of its global workforce by implementing AI.
Machines may not take over all jobs, but most companies will start using AI and include it in their workers’ daily tasks.
A 2023 report by investment bank Goldman Sachs predicted that generative AI in the United States and Europe could lead to the loss of 300 million jobs, which could affect almost one-fifth of employees.
Despite concerns about AI, students should focus on learning how to use it and recognize its weaknesses.
A lot of people, including those in Generation Z who are preparing to embark on their postsecondary educations and careers, are becoming concerned about the development of AI, and it is easy to see why. AI could affect the future careers of aspiring professionals before they even get a chance to enter their chosen fields.
The use of AI also raises significant ethical questions as AI is flawed when it comes to tasks that require human intelligence and morality. For example, AI is being used to train autonomous vehicles. This is problematic because companies should not be putting AI in charge of machines that can physically harm humans. A less extreme example would be the application of AI in art as AI cannot convey the breadth of human emotions.
Despite concerns about AI, students should focus on learning how to use it and recognize its weaknesses.
According to a 2020 study by The World Economic Forum, the number of jobs AI will create is likely to surpass the number of jobs it will destroy. The World Economic Forum estimates that by 2025, 85 million jobs may be eliminated due to AI, but 97 million new jobs could be created.
While this seems like good news, the qualifications to get these jobs will be rigorous, and most people do not have the necessary background in computer science. Also, because AI is always evolving, job seekers will need to continuously develop the skills to attain those positions.
AI is not going anywhere. The sooner people accept that, the better prepared they will be to take advantage of its benefits and compensate for its challenges.
