The film Minority Report (2002), which places its setting in the year 2054, depicts a situation where the main character, Chief John Anderton, enters into a department store full of Artificial Intelligence (AI) robots. Their activities vary, all the way from the ones that affectionately chatter with the clients, ones that analyze the consumers’ overall expenditure patterns as well as their current mood and feelings, to the ones that offer customized products for each individual. This scene, however, is not solely an imagination from movie directors, but rather a reality.
AI, by definition, refers to the branch of computer science in regards to making computers behave like human beings, and how to create computers and their software to be capable of intelligent behavior. Already, it has snuggled into our everyday lives, such as in the field of finance, medical treatment, manufacturing, and so much more.
As astonishing and unexpected as the creation and advances of AI have been, vast controversial arguments have been ongoing with concerns to this unprecedented scientific technology. To begin with, through utilizing AI, it is expected that it would replace most of the simple, repetitive labors conducted by the humans in the past, as AI would skillfully carry out events that were considered impossible for humans. This would lead to an extreme, major shift in industry as a whole; hence, the fourth industrial revolution.
Despite these possible innovations and benefits, however, it should carefully be noted that the exact same reason would precisely play as the cause for why more precautious voices are necessary in the evolution of AI: its unpredictability. Put aside the moral and ethical issues that have always perked up when talking about any technological development, economic deviations that may come should also be considered seriously. This is because artificial intelligence developed to near-human ability could trigger the replacement of not only simple, physical labors, but also fields that require much of mental abilities and labors. This could lead to a massive automation and eventually, to tremendous loss of jobs.
Therefore, considering these disadvantages, legislative restrictions and limitations should be implemented regarding the development of AI. To start with, the government itself needs to provide a legal, institutional system that would set a guideline to cope with AI’s uncertain and unpredictable character. In particular, it is necessary that the legislation touches both ethical and economic aspects of AI advancement. To elaborate upon this point, the law should set clear the definition, the utilization method, and to what extent regulation should occur in the development of this technology. In fact, in South Korea, after the enactment of the so-called Intelligent Robot Law in 2008, specification of this has constantly been proposed in the National Assembly.
Along with that, in terms of the business sectors concerning this field of technology, endeavors toward eliminating the side effects and threatening elements are also in urgent need. One way to do so would be by establishing a risk-based supervision and evaluation system that continuously tracks down the AI techniques and services. By doing so, the hazardous factors that have come about, or may have come about, would effectively and rapidly be grasped.
All in all, the things that seemed possible only through a Hollywood screen are becoming part of the real world day by day. Simultaneously, however, it should not be denied that the ravaging circumstances are also not a mere fiction. It seems that AI calls for long discussions and mutual agreement procedures, alike other novel yet controversial technologies, such as nuclear energy, genetically manufactured products, and so many others. Alongside that, governmental and industrial efforts are also in need for a proper establishment of the fourth industrial revolution.