Modern technologies are becoming an inseparable part of our lives, both private and in the business sphere. The internet is commonly used, and people widely benefit from the advantages of computers and smartphones. Artificial intelligence is encountered more and more often, whether in the form of assistants or embedded in various devices and vehicles. Digital technology is also finding its way into an ever-increasing number of appliances—today, a washing machine, a fridge, or a television that connects to the internet is something completely normal.
Technological progress is so rapid and dynamic that a revolution is taking place before our very eyes. Technological capabilities are expanding at a rapid pace—often straight out of science fiction—and they are changing our lives just as dramatically. However, all of this carries certain consequences. Technology helps us in our daily lives and work, provides a source of knowledge and everyday entertainment. But it can also pose a significant threat, one that is even greater because it is global in nature. Today, a hacker on the other side of the world can break into a computer—distance is no obstacle. Anonymity and privacy also disappear. Once information is placed on the internet, it often takes on a life of its own, and removing it can be really difficult.
As with any new technology, its use can bring many benefits to users, but it can also be a source of problems. Below are examples of the challenges posed by the technological innovations that we encounter more and more frequently. Although there are only a few examples, they will help us realize how great the scale of these challenges is and how they can affect our lives.
How to teach artificial intelligence racism?
More and more people are interacting with artificial intelligence, often without even realizing it. Such solutions are found in a variety of devices and vehicles, as well as in the form of assistants that help in handling various matters. Engineers are coming up with increasingly advanced learning algorithms, thanks to which AI continues to develop and learn new things. However, one example that best illustrates how this learning process can take place is Microsoft’s experiment. Some time ago, Microsoft released a chatbot called Tay, which was intended to learn the language used by young people and conduct interactive conversations with users. The experiment lasted only one day, because Microsoft was forced to shut down the bot just as quickly. It turned out that under the influence of the messages it processed and analyzed, Tay began posting aggressive, vulgar content with a racist undertone. This experiment clearly showed how important it is to consider how artificial intelligence is taught and how choosing inappropriate data can affect its behavior.
Loss of privacy with the Internet of Things
A fridge that orders groceries in an online store, a home control system integrated with a smartphone—these are just a few examples of the so-called Internet of Things. An increasing number of devices are permanently connected to the network, allowing users to manage them, while they themselves can perform various tasks. However, there are certain dangers associated with this ubiquity. First and foremost, such devices can be vulnerable to attacks, and taking control of them by hackers can be very dangerous in some cases. In addition, the issue of privacy must be taken into account. When connecting any device to the internet, one must be aware that someone may collect and analyze the transmitted data, and in truth, it is not entirely clear how that data will be used in the future.
Unreliable information: how fake news affects our reality
In today’s world, information is shared in the blink of an eye. Practically every event can be read about online a few moments later or learned from the radio and television. The speed at which various events are reported, and the sheer number of them, means that it is becoming increasingly difficult to verify them properly. More and more often, we are seeing deliberately fabricated stories—so-called fake news. Sometimes creators treat them as a joke, but their use can have a much broader dimension. Properly used, they can effectively manipulate public opinion and influence the behavior of large groups of society. Unfortunately, fake news appears very quickly, but correcting it is extremely difficult—and in many cases, impossible.