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The Dangers of Treating AI like a God


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Anthropologist Beth Singler

"[AI] involves so many different aspects of technology from facial recognition, diagnostic systems, recommendation systems, and for the general public, all those kinds of details get subsumed under this title of AI."

Credit: Dave Stock

Beth Singler is an anthropologist who studies human relationships with AI and robotics.

People are growing used to the idea of artificial intelligence (AI) influencing our daily lives, but for some, it is an opaque technology that poses more of a threat than an opportunity.

In an interview, Singler suggests that the lack of transparency behind it leads some people to elevate AI to a mysterious deity-like figure. However, rather than fearing a robot rebellion or a deity version of AI judging us, Singler says we should identify and be critical of those making decisions about how AI is used.

"When fear becomes too all-consuming and it distracts you from those questions, I think that's a concern."

From New Scientist
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