One Of The World's Most Watched TV Shows Will Be Hosted By Artificial Intelligences

In this article, Bernard Marr writes about the artificial intelligence created by ObEN Inc. to make “simulations” of the popular TV stars who host the Spring Festival Gala on the Chinese New Year. Marr explains the use of deep learning techniques that allow artificial intelligences to impersonate a subject’s voice, behaviors, and personality. After reading this article, I have concluded that artificial intelligence can be used in a variety of beneficial ways, such as allowing for easier interaction with entertainers and routine aspects of doctor appointments; however, this technology would be greatly misused if we created copies of ourselves to manage our family responsibilities.

Most entertainers in the spot light are spread thin between work duties and interacting with fans. As a young girl, I was obsessed, like most teens, with the pop band One Direction. It was always my dream to be able to meet them and ask them questions about their lifestyle. However, tickets to meet the band were hard and expensive to find, and the meet and greets lasted only long enough to take a picture. With artificial intelligence, there would be a chance to meet, or meet a simulation very similar to, one’s role models. Not only would this create a better relationship between stars and their fans, but it would also alleviate the expenses of such meet and greets.

In addition, Marr wrote about the use of artificial intelligence in the medical world. While I do not believe that artificial intelligence should take the place of surgeons or doctors, I believe it could be beneficially used to portray nurses. Typically, a patient must first meet with a nurse for routine checks and updating medical information. Simulations for activities like this would cut expenses and make for quicker medical appointments.

So, it seems like artificial intelligence is great and, in many ways, it indeed can be. However, I found it disturbing when Marr interviewed ObEN’s CEO, Nikhil Jain. Jain explained that the idea of using artificial intelligence to replace humans came to him when he was forced to travel for work and leave his children and wife behind. If he could simply make a “digital copy” of himself, his children and wife would miss him a lot less. This quote instantly reminded me of Carl Miller’s “God is in the Machine”, in which he writes, in an algorithm, there “is a middle part – between input and output – where it is possible that no one knows exactly what they’re doing. The algorithm learns whatever it learns” (2). The technology behind artificial intelligence is so complex that it goes beyond human understanding. In fact, it is so complex that the algorithms behind artificial intelligence produce their own “reality” (2).  I find it very concerning that humans then make real decisions based off something we do not completely understand. To be a parent and a spouse using artificial intelligence, therefore, seems deeply irresponsible

SOURCES:
1. https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2019/01/29/the-worlds-most-watched-tv-show-will-be-hosted-by-artificial-intelligences/?ss=ai-big-data#20cfa4f268de
2. 

https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/public/ridiculously-complicated-algorithms/