Are We Moving Too Fast in Adopting AI?

Apple’s recent announcement about integrating “Apple Intelligence” and introducing new features in Siri has raised significant concerns regarding privacy and security. Moreover, Apple’s collaboration with OpenAI to incorporate ChatGPT into its ecosystem has intensified these worries. While I am a strong advocate for AI and recognize the benefits brought by Machine Learning and AI technologies, I believe the current pace of adoption might be too rapid.

With extensive experience in software development, I understand that even products released by major companies like Apple are not immune to vulnerabilities and bugs. This is an inherent aspect of software. However, the scale of Apple’s latest initiative seems overwhelming. The idea of Apple Intelligence and Siri having access to every email, SMS, WhatsApp message, Instagram post, social media interaction, note, music file, webpage, and video within the Apple ecosystem, all searchable by AI, is disconcerting. Just look at the latest upgrade of Apple OS (iOS 17.5) which brought back deleted pictures. Even Elon Musk has voiced his concerns, going so far as to ban Apple devices at Tesla and SpaceX due to security issues.

The partnership between Apple and OpenAI raises additional questions. Will OpenAI have access to all this data? According to press releases, the answer is no. OpenAI will facilitate the use of ChatGPT with explicit consent for specific tasks, such as email composition and other writing tools. Nonetheless, there are numerous complexities that merit concern.

This brings me to a critical question: are we adopting AI too quickly? The answer remains ambiguous. AI has undeniably accelerated progress in various fields. Researching has become remarkably efficient; we once marveled at Google’s search capabilities, but the advent of AI promises even more impressive results. Solutions can be generated at unprecedented speeds, often within seconds. Although this may sound exaggerated, we are nearing a point where AI can address virtually any problem promptly.

Many companies have developed AI and ML-based platforms, attracting significant investment without yet achieving profitability. Apple’s introduction of Apple Intelligence could potentially disrupt the market, impacting smaller players.

Moreover, the effect of AI on employment is a particularly sensitive issue. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has emphasized that AI is intended to augment human capabilities rather than replace them. However, the reality appears different when AI platforms can generate websites or code mobile applications from mere prompts. This development could render years of expertise in web development and coding obsolete. AI’s potential to enhance productivity might lead to fewer jobs required to accomplish the same tasks. The layoffs in 2023 and those predicted for 2024 are overwhelming. Amazon cut over 16,000 roles while Microsoft eliminated around 10,000 jobs. Although not all these cuts were directly related to AI advancements, AI’s capability to write software code comparable to a junior programmer’s work is both impressive and troubling.

In conclusion, while the adoption of AI is not inherently negative, a more measured approach is essential. This gradual implementation would provide workers, whose jobs may be displaced by AI, with the opportunity to acquire new skills. Time is a critical factor, and without sufficient consideration, the rapid integration of AI could result in unforeseen and potentially adverse outcomes.