Artificial Intelligence : The Modern Era’s Frankenstein? -Md Uzzal Hossain

The relentless pursuit of artificial intelligence in the realm of natural intelligence continues despite global warnings and concerns. Consequently, this has led to widespread fear and unease. Curiosity abounds with myriad questions. Is the technology of tomorrow, with AI at its forefront, a boon or a bane? What future awaits us in the realm of cutting-edge technological research? Are we, through our technological endeavors, birthing a new Frankenstein?

The captivating tale of Frankenstein is familiar to many. Let us revisit this chilling narrative once more. Frankenstein, a German scientist, mastered a unique branch of science through his investigative studies. In doing so, he reanimated various parts of deceased individuals, crafting a potent, grotesque creature. This creation soon filled Frankenstein with dread, leading him to mistreat it. The creature, furious at its creator’s contempt, sought retribution. It harbored a desire to annihilate its creator and, retreating into the wilderness, exacted its revenge methodically.

Initially, it murdered Frankenstein’s aide, known as Neil, followed by a brutal attack on one of his caregivers. Subsequently, it took the life of one of the scientist’s siblings. Hidden in the woods, it systematically exterminated hundreds of villagers. Then, on Frankenstein’s wedding night, it slaughtered the bride and her kin. Despite numerous attempts, Frankenstein failed to destroy his own creation. Ultimately, the creator succumbed to mental anguish, fatigue, and exhaustion.

In the narrative’s conclusion, following Frankenstein’s demise, the monster contemplates suicide before vanishing. The novel, heralded as the inaugural work of science fiction, seamlessly blends elements of horror, gothic, romance, and science fiction. Shelley Mary’s novel, first published on January 1, 1818, aimed to deliver a stark message to humanity regarding the perils of unravelling nature’s mysteries, highlighting how such pursuits could lead to catastrophic loss.

The moral lessons embedded in the Frankenstein tale from two centuries ago prompt us to reflect: Have we gleaned any wisdom from this allegory over the past two hundred years? Many argue we have not. A recent admonition from Geoffrey Hinton, a former Google employee dubbed the ‘AI godfather,’ serves as poignant evidence of our collective amnesia. Preliminary alarms have indicated that the ascent of artificial intelligence could render over 300 million individuals jobless. A report from a U.S. investment bank supports this claim, forecasting job losses for more than 300 million people, with AI poised to dominate 46 percent of administrative roles and 44 percent of legal positions in the workforce. Earlier, Goldman Sachs projected that AI technologies could potentially displace a quarter of the workforce across the United States and Europe. Beyond these forecasts, further devastating impacts of AI are gradually coming to light through comprehensive studies.

Geoffrey Hinton, a 75-year-old pioneer in artificial intelligence who has devoted half his life to the field, now voices his grave concerns over AI’s potential dangers. Having previously overseen Google’s machine-learning algorithms, this British scientist, often referred to as the father of artificial intelligence, expresses regret over what he perceives as the deleterious future implications of AI. He cautions that AI chatbots could usher in unprecedented horrors. “Currently, we observe entities like GPT-4 significantly outpacing humans in common sense,” he remarked, highlighting the rapid advancements in this technology and the legitimate reasons for concern.

Hinton suggests that the threats posed by artificial intelligence could surpass those associated with global climate change. He points out that strategies to mitigate climate catastrophes, such as curtailing carbon emissions, are well understood. However, a clear roadmap for navigating the risks associated with artificial intelligence remains elusive. Echoing Hinton’s sentiments, Warren Buffett, one of America’s wealthiest individuals, likened AI technology to a ‘nuclear bomb.’ Yet, amidst concerns over ChatGPT and similar technologies, their potential benefits are also acknowledged.

Some posts suggest that AI will generate new employment opportunities and enhance productivity in the industrial sector. ChatGPT’s capabilities extend to composing songs, poems, novels, and creating artwork. With these advantages in mind, Buffett urges caution among current and future technologists regarding the advancement of AI technology. He marvels at the prospects of a technology capable of achieving a broad spectrum of feats, yet he harbors fears that AI could ultimately transform everything.

Technologists express greater concern over the negative ramifications of artificial intelligence than its potential to simplify human tasks. They speculate on a future where AI innovations surpass human intelligence, raising the inevitable question: Could AI, as a creation, ultimately become the destroyer of its creators, as depicted in the legendary Frankenstein story?

However, some technologists argue that the initial discovery of advanced technologies typically highlights their positive aspects, with misuse emerging later. Those apprehensive about AI’s future risks have already banded together to influence public opinion against it. Among them are Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and numerous other technologists and researchers. An open letter calling for a six-month suspension of AI development aims to mitigate the potential threat to human civilization from AI’s adverse effects. The response of those actively engaged in AI research to this widespread concern and alarm remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the global community of peace advocates holds onto the hope that, in their zeal for innovation, they will refrain from creating a monstrous entity capable of turning against its creators.