Week 5 Essay

1. Yes, I think artificial intelligence will be a significant problem in the future. Employing computers and machines to perform tasks that require human intelligence poses numerous risks. As stated in the film, “The Coming Singularity,” the field of information technology grows exponentially. By 2020, computers will be powerful enough to simulate the human brain. In 25 years, machines will be 25 billion times more powerful than they are today (Bigthink). These advances in technology could eventually become so powerful that humans lose the ability to control them (Einstein’s Wastebasket). For instance, the technology could fall into the wrong person’s hands, who may use it for violence. Programs could easily be manipulated to cause destruction and harm to people. In addition, increasing automation and technology can also lead to a loss of jobs. Machines are able to perform tasks more efficiently and a lot cheaper than human employees.


2. Technology has impacted my life in a number of ways. Mainly, I have noticed it has increased the speed which I am able to retrieve data and has greatly increased the availability of information. For example, as a little kid, whenever I had a question about something I didn’t understand, I would ask my mom or dad for the answer. Oftentimes, they would instruct me to look up the answer in the dictionary or to read a book. Nowadays, whenever I have a question, I simply take out my smartphone and look up the answer on Google. Technology has caused us to interact with others less in a face-to-face scenario. We interact mainly with people through a virtual world or social media realm. Technology has also made it easier to keep in touch with people who are far away. I am much more likely to travel overseas knowing that I can constantly keep in touch with my family via email, text message, or Facetime. While technology has greatly enhanced and simplified my life, there are times when it feels overwhelming and disruptive.