As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance, there is a constant debate whether it will lead to the extinction or elevation of humanity. While Richard Branson believes that AI is transforming the way we work, live, and interact, others like Elon Musk have expressed their concerns. The CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, even urges lawmakers to regulate AI due to fears of significant harm to the world.
The main concern is that AI could surpass regulation and cause harm to the world as it has no moral compass. There is fear that organizations might use it to treat their employees as an asset or liability, leading to significant job elimination and risks to humanity’s existence. A cautionary statement from the Center for AI Safety stated that Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war.
However, some experts believe that AI will be the great equalizer, enabling underrepresented communities to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams without limits. In the field of medicine, AI is set to unburden physicians facing heavy workloads, long hours, and high patient volumes. The use of drones in the workplace is also forecast to increase, bringing better quality, security, and sustainability to the workforce.
While some fear that AI will bring about a humanless workforce, experts suggest using it as one piece of an ever-expanding puzzle. HR doesn’t need to fear AI if employers view their workforce as an asset and invest in their training and development. Behavioral integrity is key, and it enables organizations to ensure employees stay longer than they would devoid of these investments.
Ultimately, how we use AI will determine its impact on humanity. It can either deepen or destroy humanity, depending on how we choose to harness its power. If we use AI in good faith and with empathy, we can connect more fully with what it means to be human, and AI can help us thrive.
