Artificial intelligence is set to benefit mankind in many ways. It will make everyday tasks easier and bring efficiency to various industries. It might just prove to be one of man’s greatest inventions. And yet, like any other technology, AI will also bring risks and dangers. When people mention that AI could be dangerous, most people think of scenarios from movies or books where an AI program decides to eliminate or conquer all humans.
In February 2018, a group of AI experts got together to discuss the potential misuse of AI. Their main concern was that criminals could use AI for a variety of evil purposes. Someone can use AI to create websites that could be used to steal people’s personal information. Another potential risk is faster hacking—AI programs could be taught to find loopholes in software and break into secure computer systems. Some of the risks were as dramatic as the ones we see in books and movies. For example, the experts mentioned automated terrorism (自动化的恐怖主义) by using drones or unmanned vehicles as weapons. Remote attacks using such devices could be made easier through the use of AI.
And finally, there were some concerns on the fact that AI can mimic voices as well. Last year US filmmaker Jordan Peele teamed up with BuzzFeed website to make a movie using AI techniques to copy former US president Barack Obama’s voice. They “had” him voice his opinions on the 2017 movie Black Panther and current US President Donald Trump. While in China, tech giant Baidu, has also developed a program called Deep Voice that can “copy” anyone’s voice by analyzing a 3.7-second audio sample.
Famous British physicist Stephen Hawking even thought AI could be the worst event in the history of our civilization. “Once humans develop artificial intelligence, it will take off and redesign itself at an alarming rate. Humans couldn’t compete and would be superseded, he told the BBC. However, Hawking suggested “I believe we can create AI for the good of the world. We simply need to be aware of the dangers, identify them, employ the best possible practice and management, and prepare for its consequences well in advance.”
Actually, AI technology is making great progress in terms of the three-stage development of artificial intelligence. It is unlikely that fully developing AI would make it hard for mankind to survive. After all, without human intelligence, AI cannot even develop itself, let alone replace human civilization.
【小题1】According to the text, which of the following is NOT the risk brought by AI?| A．AI can be used to create websites to steal people’s personal information. |
| B．AI can help criminals to break into secure computer systems without permission. |
| C．AI can be used by terrorists to carry out terrorist attacks. |
| D．AI can be used to clone humans. |
| A．imitate | B．disturb |
| C．record | D．change |
| A．AI is the best invention in the history of our civilization. |
| B．AI is not as intelligent and creative as humans. |
| C．AI can identify the dangers in advance. |
| D．AI will benefit the world if under careful management. |
| A．Worried. | B．Indifferent. |
| C．Positive. | D．Negative. |
