We’ve heard a lot about Artificial Intelligence lately, it’s the latest media buzz-phrase and all the major companies are promoting the inclusion of AI to improve their products and services.
It could be using Generative AI to improve your writing, an assistance bot on your favourite website, or an AI enhanced toaster so your breakfast is just to your liking every time (no, really, they’re out there!).
But what is AI, and how can we ensure we’re using it safely?
Essentially, AI is the concept that machines and computers can ‘learn’ from their environment, and from previous inputs, and use that learning to improve future outputs. The idea of artificial intelligence is not particularly new, it has been around since the 1950s, but recent developments in computing technology have led to a surge in its use in everyday situations. While AI is undoubtedly an incredibly useful tool which can be used to enhance many aspects of our lives, from improving your grammar to generating amazing artwork, there are a few things to be aware of.
Protect your sensitive data
Just as you don’t give away your sensitive personal data to people in the street, be very careful about what information you put into an AI tool. Once you enter information into a tool or website, you lose control of that information – it could be processed anywhere in the world, stored indefinitely, or used to train the output of other AI tools. Never enter sensitive information such as passwords, bank details, names, and addresses into an AI tool.
AI can be susceptible to misinformation
As we often see in the news and on social media, some people will go to great lengths to promote their preferred point of view, and this sometimes includes feeding ‘opinions’ to AI tools in an attempt to influence the answers it gives. If your AI tool of choice starts to give highly biased answers about subjects like politics or religion, it’s worth considering if there may be ulterior motives behind it.
AI is not infallible
Don’t assume that a ‘fact’ generated by an AI tool, or an answer to a question posed, is actually correct. An AI tool can only draw information from the set of data that is fed to it. If that data contains incorrect information, that will find its way into the answers produced. Always double check any important facts with another reliable source.
AI has no concept of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’
An AI tool doesn’t have a ‘moral compass’. While most tools try to implement protections if asked potentially dangerous questions, such as how to make an atom bomb, these controls can often be bypassed fairly easily. While that is an extreme example, it’s worth remembering that children or vulnerable people may be exposed to potentially dangerous content if using AI tools unsupervised.
Your responsibility
If you’re using an AI tool such as ChatGPT to enhance your essay, improve your CV, or put together a winning business proposal, you are ultimately responsible for the use of the content generated. Double check any output for accuracy and ensure it’s appropriate for the purpose you intended. It’s considered good practise to disclose any use of AI in reports and essays so readers can be aware.
Use safely and enjoy the benefits
Undoubtedly, Artificial Intelligence in its many forms is going to become ever more present in our lives, and will certainly help us overall, from solving complex scientific problems to assisting in the production of art and music. If you’ve been using AI for a while now or are just thinking of dipping a virtual toe in, please remember to do so safely as you enjoy the benefit of the perfect marmalade on toast!
