The news we read is full of apocalyptic headlines about artificial intelligence. Rogue robots, mass destruction, a dystopian future... Is AI the monster that threatens us? The answer, like so many others, is not simple. AI is a new technology with enormous and destabilizing potential, and the key factor, as always, is the human being.

We cannot deny AI's capacity for evil. Irresponsible use, in the hands of those who seek power and wealth at any price, could have devastating consequences. If governments do not set limits on the implementation of AI in critical areas, such as surveillance or weapons, we could find ourselves facing a scenario of unprecedented inequality and social control.

Imagine the most powerful using AI to monopolize information, manipulate public opinion, or even develop weapons of mass destruction. The gap between those who have access and those who don't would widen exponentially, and democracy itself would be at risk. The problem isn't the technology itself, but the lack of regulation and the excessive use of power.

But AI doesn't have to be a weapon of destruction. Today, for example, AI is revolutionizing the way we obtain information, allowing rapid and widespread access to data of all kinds. This significantly saves time for online searches. But it also involves a vast and worrying collection of data about our lives. To what extent are we willing to sacrifice our privacy for convenience and efficiency? This is the question we must constantly ask ourselves.

Beyond the search for information, AI is transforming the world at a dizzying pace. Companies are using it to increase the efficiency of their processes, improving productivity and competitiveness. This brings economic benefits, but also raises ethical and social issues that must be publicly discussed and debated.

How can we ensure that automation doesn't generate mass unemployment? What measures should be taken to prevent companies from prioritizing efficiency over the well-being of their workers? The debate on labor regulation and automation is more than pertinent.

In the scientific field, examples such as DeepMind's development of AI to predict protein structures are a beacon of hope. This tool, put at the service of global knowledge, is accelerating the discovery of new drugs, paving the way for cures for diseases. It is an example of the positive use of AI, and a clear example of the need for collaboration between the private and public sectors.

AI could be applied to address the growing threat of climate change. Predictive algorithms, powered by data from climate systems, can help us better understand patterns, anticipate atypical phenomena, and develop mitigation strategies. In this case, AI becomes an essential tool in the fight against a global challenge.

However, another key point emerges here: the unequal access to and distribution of technology. Large technology companies, which control most AI tools, have increasing power and the ability to influence society and the economy. This question raises new concerns: How can we ensure that these tools are used fairly and equitably? How can we establish democratic control over AI?

The AI apocalypse is not inevitable. The question is not whether AI will destroy us, but how we will use it. We must promote a global conversation about AI, involving scientists, governments, businesses, and citizens. We need policies that promote responsible development, ethical regulation, and equitable access to this technology.

AI is a powerful tool, and its future will depend on how humans choose to use it. The key lies in awareness, discussion, and global collaboration so that AI becomes an ally for human progress, not a threat.

The "problem" is us humans, and how we will use this technology.

Amador Palacios

By Amador Palacios

Reflections of Amador Palacios on topics of Social and Technological News; other opinions different from mine are welcome

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