Artificial intelligence is a leading innovation
All great innovations have had significant repercussions. The automobile, for example, has led to changes in our lifestyles. This is evident through the development of suburbs, our daily activities, or the growth of leisure activities.
Computers have given rise to different types of jobs. They have allowed us to rethink the organization of work. Computers have even changed our lifestyles, such as teleworking. Pharmaceuticals and medical discoveries have increased our life expectancy, with all the repercussions on families and the economy.
Economists explain to us that at the heart of these great movements, there is a kind of creative destruction. It is modulated by these major innovations. This process has had the effect of replacing what already existed before. It is always for the better, it seems. This is how these great innovations have come to change the portrait of our society.
Can we consider artificial intelligence (AI) as a leading innovation in the same way as those listed above? What would be the social consequences of their development?
What ChatGPT say about social impact of AI
Ironically, I asked ChatGPT these questions. Here what it answered:
ChatGPT has the potential to have significant social impacts in a variety of areas. Here are some examples:
- It can improve communication by providing accurate and consistent answers to complex questions;
- It can be used as a learning tool for students by providing them with clear and precise answers to their questions;
- It can help people with disabilities communicate more easily and get answers to their questions;
- It can be used to develop more advanced and efficient chatbots.
ChatGPT also warns of negative repercussions , such as the spread of misinformation if the model is poorly trained or misused. It says it is crucial to use it responsibly. Ethical use maximizes its social benefits. This approach minimizes its negative impacts.
In short, the answers are interesting, but ChatGPT didn’t quite answer the questions. Instead of describing the social impacts, it just lists different types of uses and describes some caveats.
Distinction between chatGPT and AI
To answer this question, it is important to make a clear distinction between ChatGPT and AI. The latter encompasses an even broader notion. One might think that the impact of the latter will be considerable. It is likely to become an important vector in the evolution of our society.
For example, a report by investment bank Goldman Sachs states that 300 million jobs are at risk worldwide. The report warns that “ significant disruption is on the horizon as artificial intelligence becomes more tangible .” The report emphasizes that The world’s adaptation to AI is crucial. It will significantly impact the livelihoods of millions of people.
OpenAI recently published a study. It analyzed the effects of these models on the labor market. This company designed ChatGPT. Thus, four out of five workers would see at least 10% of their tasks affected by AI.Nearly one in five workers would see at least half of their work affected.
Conversely, the repercussions are not only negative. AI will increase knowledge and productivity. It would have a positive impact on GDP, just like the great innovations of the past.
Government feedback
How then to analyse the advantages and disadvantages of such an innovation. The main fears are not so much about what it represents today. The concern lies in its evolution, the trajectory of which remains uncertain in many respects. This evolution could be extremely rapid and take many social actors by surprise. The estimates of significant job losses have therefore had an effect on the reaction of governments.
In Quebec, the Minister of the Economy is Pierre Fitzgibbon announced a non-partisan forum. This was a response to a question in the National Assembly. Eight experts will be heard in this forum. The outcome of this forum is uncertain. The information gathered will offer more insights. It should contain more than just complaints about the potential risk of job losses. Let us hope that there will remain enough objectivity to glimpse measures for a constructive use of AI. These measures should aim at benefiting the common good and increasing the well-being of the population.
Louis Bellemare
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