By Nancy Patrick

The new buzz term we hear every day now is “artificial intelligence” or “AI” for short.  I think in some ways these words form an oxymoron, a seemingly contradictory term that, nevertheless, expresses a truth. For example, parents may say, and mean it, “My children are my most precious burdens.” Any parent knows what that means.

Life consists of many complex issues that present ambiguous and contradictory situations. What should a person do when faced with situations that have different possible interpretations? Does life have any absolutes or is everything open to interpretation?

I fear artificial intelligence and its power to influence. The first time I experienced the use of AI happened when I saw the movie Forrest Gump. If you remember, the movie had scenes of Forrest participating in events that he could not possibly have been in. 

I remember my shock when I saw the movie’s presentation of Lieutenant Dan after he lost both his legs in battle. The realism of the scenes almost convinced me that Gary Sinise had agreed to have his legs amputated for the movie. (Can you see how easy it would be to persuade a gullible person to believe a lie?) 

Some charismatic leaders have caused disruption, war, and tragedy: Adolf Hitler, Jim Jones, and Joseph McCarthy made indelible black marks on the history of the world. On the other hand, people such as Billy Graham, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Abraham Lincoln promoted their beliefs and appealed to many followers for the betterment of all human beings.

Without a doubt, some followers of those leaders would have really put faith in the leaders rather than the tenets they preached. Those people concern me when I think of the possible power (influence) of artificial intelligence.

I greatly appreciate many artificial things in the modern world. Modern medicine has greatly improved many lives through the invention, use, and refinement of artificial limbs and other prostheses. Many people live productive lives with the use of these human-made instruments, allowing them to fulfill dreams and goals they might otherwise have sacrificed.

In general, artificiality seems shallow and destructive. The cosmetic industry has prospered greatly by people’s vanity. Many people fear how aging might negatively impact their lives ”professionally and personally.”

Some people, afraid gray hair may make them less competitive in the work force, begin coloring those gray strands before they become too noticeable. Wrinkles and sagging skin also pose threats to some aspects of one’s professional life. Likewise, those same signs of aging threaten some spouses to fear their partners may find them less attractive than they did in their youth.

Whether fake fingernails or phony eyelashes, these artificial accouterments present people in a more positive light than without them. Putting forth a good image is not necessarily a bad thing. If, however, the aim is to confuse or mislead others, artificiality can have extremely negative results. It illustrates either one’s own low self-esteem or his lack of trust in other people’s judgment.

Artificial intelligence that preys on the vulnerability of people is a dangerous and powerful weapon. Very smart people can create computer programs to do many tasks previously done by human hands and human minds.

Some of these programs can “take over” the details of a job after the humans have done a certain amount. That trust we put in a program can grow to the point where we will allow computers to actually do the thinking, planning, and implementation of many tasks. Think of our vulnerability if we do away with human accountability (quality control) with medicines, automobiles, surgical procedures, financial responsibility, and protection of the food chain.

The concept of artificial intelligence, though not new, has taken on an entirely different direction in a world where facts may not be facts in a postmodern era. Quoted material taken out of context often skews the true import of the spoken words. Photoshopping pictures can promote lies. 

Artificial intelligence has the capacity to create fiction that can seduce people to believe in an alternate reality. This powerful tool should put us all on guard about the things we read, hear, and see. I do not want either myself or anyone else manipulated by intelligent, charismatic, or powerful people. 

Those who attempt to manipulate others for their own profit consider their victims fools. The old saying “seeing is believing” does not apply in our modern world. I do not want to be anyone’s fool.

Nancy Patrick is a retired teacher who lives in Abilene and enjoys writing