Artificial intelligence — expanding our capabilities or replacing humanity?

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a groundbreaking technology that mimics human intelligence to perform tasks that previously required human intervention. Plots from popular films about AI (for example, «I, robot», «Bicentennial Man») are slowly coming to life.

With its rapid progress, AI is revolutionizing various industries, offering unparalleled opportunities, and raising key questions about its potential impact on society. But do people really need AI so much, and could it eventually replace them? We figured it out together with the main expert on the MEDplus channel, Tygran Amalyan.

Tygran Amalyan

Chief expert of evidence-based media MEDplus

• Doctor by education, specialist in nutrition science
• Expert in medical and energy efficiency fields
• Businessman, innovator

What is AI?

Artificial intelligence has amazing capabilities thanks to its power to quickly analyze and learn from vast amounts of data. Machine learning algorithms allow AI systems to improve their performance over time, enabling them to recognize patterns, make predictions, and automate complex processes. From virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa, GPT, and other chatbots, to self-driving cars, AI has infiltrated various aspects of our lives, increasing efficiency and convenience.

For example, among the popular AI programs:

• Natural Language Processing (NLP): AI-based language models for sentiment analysis, chatbots, and language translation making communication and data analysis more efficient.
• Computer vision: AI enables image and video recognition, revolutionizing industries such as healthcare, retail, and autonomous vehicles.
• Recommender systems: AI algorithms personalize content recommendations on streaming platforms and purchase suggestions, improving the user experience.

Artificial intelligence in medicine

AI plays an important role in the development of medicine, helping to monitor patients, create new drugs, and predict the response of patients to different types of treatment, improving the development of treatment plans for patients based on their medical history and genetic picture. Medical imaging algorithms have been greatly improved by AI, surpassing the human ability to diagnose diseases based on X-rays, MRIs, and CTs.

Thanks to AI, diseases are diagnosed earlier and treated more successfully.

What are the benefits of AI?

• Increasing efficiency. Artificial intelligence optimizes processes, reduces human error, and accelerates decision-making, which helps increase productivity and reduce routine tasks in various fields.
• Improvement of health care. AI helps in early disease detection, drug discovery, and precision medicine, potentially saving lives and improving treatment outcomes.
• Personalization. AI-based systems personalize the user experience by offering individualized recommendations, advertising, and services, increasing customer satisfaction.

Problems and potential harm

• Job cuts. As AI automates tasks, some jobs may become redundant, leading to upskilling and reskilling of employees.
• AI algorithms have the potential to increase bias and inequality in various areas, including employment, credit, and the criminal justice system.
• The use of artificial intelligence in healthcare is often limited by its algorithmic nature. AI lacks an understanding of the ethical principles inherent in human decision-making. While doctors rely not only on protocols and research results but also on intuition and the ability to critically evaluate each unique situation.
• The widespread use of artificial intelligence raises concerns about data security, privacy breaches, and the potential misuse of confidential information.

Can artificial intelligence replace humans?

While AI can perform certain tasks with precision and speed, it lacks human consciousness, emotion, and creativity. People have a more in-depth understanding of context, empathy, and critical thinking that allows them to solve complex, ambiguous situations.

While AI automates routine tasks, it also creates new opportunities for people to focus on higher-level tasks, innovation and creativity, and improve AI programs.

Artificial intelligence has the potential for a positive revolution in society.

AI is a transformative force that is changing the way we live and work in various industries. Although artificial intelligence is fraught with complexities and moral considerations, thoughtfully addressing these issues will help us harness its full potential for a bright and innovative future.

Think twice!