AI and its challenges
AI's impact on fake news, influence, and spam
AI plays an increasing role in sharing knowledge and information, but unfortunately also in the spread of misinformation. We all know them: those posts on social media that look like real news but are full of misleading or downright false information.
AI accelerates this flow of fake news with deepfakes, bots and generated texts that are barely distinguishable from human content.
This makes it increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction. And it does not stop at fake news. Spam and phishing messages are also becoming more sophisticated thanks to AI.
AI in education: opportunity or challenge?
AI offers opportunities and challenges for education. On the one hand, teachers can use AI to encourage personalised learning, for example with tools that offer customised exercises or tailor feedback to the student's level. On the other hand, students may also use AI for homework and assignments, which could erode the value of diplomas and certifications.
AI and hallucinations
While AI models are powerful, they are far from perfect. One of the biggest challenges is that AI sometimes presents inaccurate information with full conviction. We call this 'hallucinations'. AI then generates content that sounds logical but is not based on anything. This is because AI bases its answers on huge amounts of data, without always understanding the context or accuracy. This can lead to problems, especially in a world where facts are crucial.
The power of big tech
AI is dominated by a small number of big tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. These giants have the resources to handle the huge datasets, and the computing power needed to develop AI models.
As a result, their power continues to grow, determining not only the technological future but also what data and ethical standards are processed in AI systems. Without oversight, this concentration of power could lead to less diversity and more dependence on these tech giants, both for smaller companies and individuals.
The environmental impact of AI and data centres
Although AI seems digital, the physical infrastructure that supports AI has a significant environmental impact. Data centres that train and run AI models consume huge amounts of energy and water. Training one large AI model can emit as much CO₂ as a small country.
Although some companies are investing in green energy, AI's carbon footprint remains a serious challenge. As AI continues to grow, we need to find sustainable solutions to curb its negative impact on the environment.
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