AI on the Brink: Balancing Innovation with Ethics as AI Reshapes Industries and Lives
BEIJING, Dec. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In a recent panel discussion hosted by Science and Technology Daily, experts emphasized the need for responsible artificial intelligence (AI) development to ensure that its benefits are shared among all nations.
From liberating humans from repetitive tasks to making significant strides in environmental conservation, AI has become an indispensable part of modern life. The key, however, lies not only in harnessing its potential but also in preventing it from negatively impacting human life and society.
While pioneers like renowned computer scientist Edmund Callis Berkeley envisioned a future filled with thinking machines, decades later the progress is evident – yet far from straightforward.
Pioneering AI expert Zeng Yi highlighted the importance of combining AI-powered robots with state-of-the-art robotics to redirect human energy toward more creative pursuits. "Combining AI with robotics allows us to redirect human energy toward more creative and meaningful pursuits," Zeng said in the discussion. He noted how lunar rovers equipped with advanced AI capabilities are tackling complex analyses on the moon's surface – tasks that pose too great a risk for human scientists.
Besides industrial applications, AI is also making significant strides in environmental conservation by employing cutting-edge tracking technology for wildlife preservation.
The everyday life of ordinary citizens isn't left unscathed either, as Gao Shaolin noted. He highlighted a recent road trip where despite driving 3,000 kilometers he encountered only one minor traffic accident – illustrating how AI enhances automotive safety features.
Yet amidst such triumphs, some also warned that we shouldn't replace humans with machines but amplify expert human and efficiency – in essence creating an AI enhanced collaborator for humanity.
With a critical focus on accountability becoming more pressing, China's recent stance toward AI governance remains pivotal as one of the few countries to actively support the development of robust AI systems within stringent global safety metrics. In July 2024, at the UN General Assembly, China led an international push for more harmonious global practices and regulation surrounding AI, highlighting its responsibility in maintaining societal balance.
Zeng agreed that a consensus on AI ethics is emerging worldwide: “95 percent of global AI ethics guidelines emphasize similar topics — including human-centered development, transparency, fairness and safety protection."
With nations and nations united around these shared values.