Humanizing Technology: Why an Imperfect AI is Better for Humanity
Hey there, my dear readers! If you’ve been following my posts, you know that failure and imperfection are two themes I love to explore. After all, they are the building blocks of character and resilience.
But let’s be honest, who also doesn’t love a good failure story? And imperfection is what makes us unique and interesting. So, buckle up, get ready to embrace your flaws, and celebrate your mistakes because we’re about to dive again into the world of imperfection!
Disclaimer: This article is a preliminary brainstorming session and starting point for more detailed and nuanced discussions rather than a definitive source of truth.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming more intelligent and capable every day, and it’s starting to feel like we’re living in a sci-fi movie.
However, as AI becomes more sophisticated, people are getting worried about the impact it could have on society, such as job displacement and bias. People are aiming, creating and expecting AI to reach a perfection level beyond human capabilities.
But what if I told you that imperfect AIs are better for humanity?
I remember when I was using a navigation app to go somewhere, and the route it suggested was utterly wrong. I soon realized that the AI in the app is not a perfect system.
That’s the thing about an imperfect AI, and it feels more human-like.
When machines are designed to be too perfect, it can create a sense of unease and suspicion among users who may wonder if the system is hiding something. But imperfect AI makes the technology more relatable and approachable, increasing user confidence and willingness to use it.
An imperfect AI can help reduce bias in decision-making. When machines are programmed to be perfect, it can lead to patterns that reinforce existing biases.
If we introduce randomness or unpredictability, AI can consider a broader range of possibilities and avoid falling into these patterns.
My point is not that we should deliberately create imperfect systems. Instead, systems should not be designed with the sole goal of achieving perfection.
Why?
Imperfect AI can also be more adaptable and responsive to changing situations.
Human-like imperfections can enable AI to learn from its experiences and adapt to new conditions in ways that are more similar to human learning.
This can lead to more flexible and effective decision-making, which can be especially valuable for example in healthcare and emergency response areas.
Therefore we should incorporate the valuable lesson humans have learned over time that learning from mistakes through trial and error is essential for gaining more profound knowledge and fairness.
Finally, imperfect AIs can be more ethical and accountable.
When AI is designed to be perfect, it can be challenging to hold it responsible for its actions or ensure that it behaves ethically.
This is true because when AI is designed to be too perfect, it may not be transparent and understandable for humans to comprehend its decision-making process.
But imperfect AIs can be designed to have more transparency and accountability built-in, enabling users to understand better how the system works and make more informed decisions about its use. This can be critical for ensuring fair and just hiring, loan approvals, and criminal justice outcomes. It is easier for humans to understand how the AI arrived at a particular decision and determine whether it was ethical.
So, are imperfect AIs more human-like in behavior and thinking?
I’d say yes.
After all, humans are not perfect, so why should we expect machines to be? By embracing imperfection in AI, we can create technology better suited to serve humanity and our needs. It’s time to stop striving for perfection and start embracing the beauty of imperfection.
Do you agree or disagree? Comment and let’s expand this idea!
