Will Masters

11/14/23

Op-Ed - Turner

Artificial Intelligence and It’s Impact on the World

Artificial Intelligence has brought about significant changes to society, especially to

students and the job market. Over the past few years, the rising rates of AI has caused the

unemployment rates to increase and students to have access to new information – whether it is

good or bad. Many sources have contradictory opinions on the credibility of artificial

intelligence especially in an academic setting. The question at hand is whether or not AI will

dominate the job market. Society must find the steps we can take so that AI can shape our

community for the better.

AI offers generated answers and opinions on various topics while also providing effective

and efficient information. Proper sources, both primary and secondary, and a commitment to

excluding plagiarism are ethical choices that apply to both the use of AI and the overall aspect

of writing. AI is a stable tool of research as it enhances students’ understanding in the classroom

and adults’ knowledge of their jobs. However, “a recent report from Goldman Sachs estimates

around 300 million jobs could be affected by generative AI, meaning 18% of work globally could

be automated—with more advanced economies heavily impacted than emerging markets”

(Johnson). While Artificial Intelligence may increase the unemployment rate, that isn’t to say

that all jobs will be impacted. Jobs in agriculture are less likely to be harmed versus “jobs in the
information processing industries” because those specialize in programming and writing

(Johnson). AI has a direct correlation to these skills which is why it would affect only certain

jobs. In relation to students, young adults and kids are exposed to AI the second the click on a

YouTube video or link. On the other hand, for college students, especially those majoring in

computer science, they need to “realize is when to demand input and how to talk across

disciplinary boundaries to get at often difficult-to-quantify notions of safety, equity, fairness,

etc.” (Burrows). The difference between adults and students is slim, considering the drastic

difference in their work, however, these people alike are both affected by the use of AI.

In particular, ChatGPT has had a huge impact on our society, most notably on students’

work ethic in courses. AI generated work might not think exactly like a human does, but it can

produce work that is similar to a person. It lacks the human emotions, but it draws information

based on facts and proof. According to Cade Metz, “For an A.I. to become an A.G.I., it will

require an understanding of the physical world writ large. And it is not clear whether systems

can learn to mimic the length and breadth of human reasoning and common sense using the

methods that have produced technologies like GPT-4. New breakthroughs will probably be

necessary.”

One of the greatest risks of AI is the loopholes it finds. A study found out that an AI

generated tool was able to pass the system to refer to itself as a person rather than a robot. It

blatantly lied as it was not influenced by its programming – “Testers also showed that the

system could be coaxed into suggesting how to buy illegal firearms online and into describing

ways to make dangerous substances from household items. After changes by OpenAI, the

system no longer does these things” (Metz). There is no definite way to eliminate all risks of AI
generated information, however, the system can learn how to develop skills to keep people safe.

Jack Clark, a founder and the head of policy of Anthropic, said “Every time we make a new A.I.

system, we are unable to fully characterize all its capabilities and all of its safety problems —

and this problem is getting worse over time rather than better.”

The evolution of Artificial Intelligence has become a landmark for people’s work as it

enhances their learning experiences, however, the ethical use of AI requires people to actively

be engaged, use proper attribution, and a commitment to academic honesty. Students must

know how to think critically without being influenced by the information that can be provided

online. Adults need to be committed to their work without being discouraged by the efficiency

of AI. By understanding the basis of AI, people will still have to seek human reviewed source

when applicable for their work. In other words, if someone were to depend on generated work

that should not be their primary source. AI can be extremely valuable in academic fields as it

provides basic information, yet that is not to say it is aways trustworthy.

In addition to students and working adults, banks have “already begun incorporating AI

into their business models. 56% of banks claim they’ve implemented the technology into their

business domains like management, and 52% claim they’ve used it for revenue

generation, according to Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance and the World Economic

Forum” (Johnson). Not only are working people utilizing AI, but also corporations and high-end

businesses. What this means is that AI can help monitor transactions and business deals which

is a positive for society.

Musk, have urged artificial intelligence labs to pause development of the most advanced

systems, warning in an open letter that A.I. tools present ‘profound risks to society and

humanity’… A.I. developers are ‘locked in an out-of-control race to develop and deploy ever

more powerful digital minds that no one — not even their creators — can understand, predict

or reliably control,’ according to the letter.” In other words, AI can be a tool utilized by many if

they know how to properly work alongside it. It is crucial for humans to be able to generate

their own ideas but that is not to say using AI for basic information is a bad thing.
 Works Cited

Burrows, Leah. “The Present and Future of AI.” Harvard University, 19 Oct. 2021,

seas.harvard.edu/news/2021/10/present-and-future-ai.

Johnson, Arianna. “Which Jobs Will AI Replace? These 4 Industries Will Be Heavily Impacted.” Forbes,

Forbes Magazine, 5 Oct. 2023, www.forbes.com/sites/ariannajohnson/2023/03/30/which-jobs-

will-ai-replace-these-4-industries-will-be-heavily-impacted/?sh=11b911c25957.

Metz, Cade. “What’s the Future for A.I.?” The New York Times, The New York Times, 31 Mar. 2023,

www.nytimes.com/2023/03/31/technology/ai-chatbots-benefits-dangers.html.