Fred Schindler
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ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence (AI) tool developed by OpenAI, has been in the news recently because of its ability to write convincingly about virtually any topic. It’s also capable of engaging in conversational dialog. You can find ChatGPT at https://openai.com/.
About a year and a half ago, I wrote a column about AI, “Artificial Stupidity” [1]. I didn’t address, or anticipate, a tool with the capabilities of ChatGPT. I wanted to give ChatGPT a try, and I instructed it to “write a column about the shortcomings of AI.” Several seconds later, this came back:
AI has come a long way in recent years and has brought about significant advancements in various fields such as healthcare, finance, and transportation, among others. However, despite the numerous benefits of AI, it is not without its shortcomings. In this column, we will explore some of the key limitations of AI that need to be addressed for it to reach its full potential.
Bias and discrimination: One of the most significant limitations of AI is its tendency to perpetuate existing biases and discrimination. This is because AI algorithms are only as good as the data they are trained on, and if the data are biased, the AI system will reflect that bias. This can lead to unintended consequences, such as the exclusion of certain groups of people from benefits that AI can bring, or unfair treatment based on race, gender, or other factors.
Lack of common sense: AI systems lack common sense, which is an essential aspect of human intelligence. They are only capable of performing the tasks they have been trained for and cannot reason or make decisions in the same way that humans do. This can limit their ability to understand context and interpret complex information, which can lead to incorrect decisions.
Lack of transparency: Another limitation of AI is its lack of transparency. AI algorithms are often seen as “black boxes” because it can be difficult to understand how they reach a particular decision. This can make it challenging to hold AI systems accountable and to ensure that they are acting ethically.
Data privacy: As AI becomes increasingly prevalent, it is becoming more critical to protect data privacy. AI algorithms require large amounts of data to be trained and function, but if this data [is] not properly secured, it can be used for malicious purposes. Additionally, the collection and storage of data by AI systems can raise concerns about data ownership and control.
Cost: Finally, the cost of developing and deploying AI systems can be significant. AI systems require large amounts of computational power, which can make them expensive to develop and operate. Additionally, the costs of collecting and preparing data, as well as the training and deployment of AI models, can be prohibitively expensive for many organizations.
In conclusion, while AI has the potential to bring about many benefits, it is not without its limitations. Addressing these limitations will be essential to realizing the full potential of AI and ensuring that it is used in ways that benefit society as a whole.
Not bad. It touched on some of the same topics I had in my column. It addressed a couple issues that I had neglected to mention, notably, privacy. Neither ChatGPT nor I considered whether the benefits are worth it, so I asked: “Do the benefits of AI outweigh the shortcomings?” It responded with
The answer to whether the benefits of AI outweigh its shortcomings is subjective and depends on one’s perspective. On the one hand, AI has brought about numerous benefits in fields such as healthcare, finance, and transportation, among others. For example, AI-powered systems are being used to improve the accuracy of diagnoses, streamline financial processes, and reduce road accidents.
On the other hand, the limitations of AI, such as bias, lack of transparency, and privacy concerns, cannot be ignored. These limitations have the potential to cause harm and undermine the benefits that AI can bring.
Ultimately, the benefits and shortcomings of AI are intertwined and need to be considered together. The key to maximizing the benefits of AI while minimizing its shortcomings is to ensure that AI systems are designed, developed, and used responsibly. This involves paying close attention to the ethical implications of AI, addressing its limitations, and taking steps to mitigate its potential harm.
In summary, while the benefits of AI are undeniable, it is crucial to address its limitations and use it in a responsible manner if we are to realize its full potential and ensure that its benefits are widely shared.
That’s a well-informed nonanswer. It’s being understandably cautious. AI is here to stay, so perhaps it doesn’t need to be defensive.
Overall, ChatGPT did a credible job. It wrote convincingly about AI and considered it more broadly than I had. I included a few anecdotes from my own experiences, something it didn’t or could not do. I asked it if it had any personal anecdotes about the shortcomings of AI, and it politely declined, noting that it doesn’t have any “personal experiences or emotions.” Fair point.
So, now I’m left to ponder, should I retire? I’m sure we’ll find ourselves with lots of articles written by AI whether we know it or not. I could just let AI write the columns from now on. Or maybe I could be almost as lazy and just wrap a few lines of text around something written by AI.
[1] F. Schindler, “Artificial stupidity [MicroBusiness] ,” IEEE Microw. Mag., vol. 22, no. 12, pp. 12–14, Dec. 2021, doi: 10.1109/MMM.2021.3109498.
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/MMM.2023.3255679