Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a big part of our lives, and some people think that it might lead to a “war of intelligences” where humans could lose out. But does this idea of a “war” really make sense? Rémi Sentis, a scientist and researcher, shared his thoughts on this topic.
Recently, France held an international conference about AI, where President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to invest 109 billion euros into it. He believes AI could bring major changes, especially in healthcare. Does Rémi Sentis agree with this excitement?
Sentis thinks that while there’s a lot of hype around these investments, a significant portion of the money might not even go directly to AI itself. Instead, it could be spent on things like regulations and monitoring social media. Often, when new technologies are promoted, health is used as a reason to push for them.
He points out that having a single source for funding, like the government, could be a problem. It means that only a few people will decide how to use that money, and innovation thrives on diverse ideas and approaches.
Some experts are worried about the risks of AI, and there have even been “counter-summits” to raise awareness about these dangers. Sentis acknowledges that tools like surgical robots and medical imaging software can be beneficial. However, he warns about the potential for using implants to “upgrade” humans, which has been a fantasy for decades.
One major concern is the rise of automated medical diagnostic tools. In some cases, nurses might collect patient data and send it to an AI program that makes a diagnosis and suggests treatment, taking away the nurse’s decision-making role. This raises a big issue: if things go wrong, who is responsible? AI is just a tool created by someone, and both designers and users need to understand their responsibilities when using it.
There are also new uses for AI in prenatal testing, which can dehumanize unborn children by reducing them to mere data points. Some people believe that using AI in this way is just progress, but Sentis sees it as a serious ethical problem.
With the rapid spread of AI, there’s a concern that it will become increasingly difficult to tell fact from fiction. This could lead to manipulation and loss of control in our information-rich world. Sentis argues that the reality of cyberspace is far from the idealistic view that AI will lead to peace and progress.
As regulations like the AI Act come into play, there’s a call for global rules around AI usage. Although the AI Act has some good points, it also has many exceptions that could allow for risky uses of AI to continue. Sentis believes that while rules are necessary, we also need a strong moral foundation to guide how we use these technologies.
Finally, Sentis discusses the development of robots that resemble humans and the idea of “biological AI” where living cells are used in computing. He highlights that no matter how advanced machines get, they will never have a true body like humans do, which is essential for emotional connections and experiences.
In conclusion, while AI holds great promise, it’s crucial to approach its development and usage carefully, focusing on responsibility and ethical considerations to ensure that it benefits humanity rather than harms it.
This article has been translated and simplified by artificial intelligence from a French article “Développement de l’intelligence artificielle : « la santé sert de prétexte »”
It may therefore contain errors. The French version is the reference version..