Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the science of making machines that can perform tasks and think like humans. The concept of AI can be traced back to the 1940s when mathematician Alan Turing proposed the idea of a machine that could perform specific tasks if programmed with a set of rules to follow. Many breakthrough advancements have been made with AI, including the ability for it to listen, read, play games, and debate. Some might see the steep rate of AI advancement as alarmingly human-like. The way people view AI varies widely and ranges from optimism and excitement to fear and skepticism. As Artificial Intelligence becomes increasingly aligned with human abilities, some worry that it will begin to replace humans in the workforce and lead to job loss. Others are more concerned about AI in certain areas, such as healthcare, because no matter how smart they are, it’s hard to replicate true human empathy and connection. 

Contrarily, optimistic individuals believe that AI can positively impact society and human life, allowing for changes and contributions to be made across industries and the public. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, is an example of someone who has mixed emotions about the future of Artificial Intelligence. Musk co-founded OpenAI back in 2015, but left the company in 2018 due to a conflict of interest. In November 2023, he described AI as a “risk” and a “possible threat to humanity” when Sky News asked him how he felt about it. While Musk finds AI to be fascinating, he fears that it might surpass human intelligence and become a threat to humanity.

No matter how one may feel about AI, it’s hard to deny that Artificial Intelligence has become increasingly present in the daily lives of Americans. Some may not even realize how AI sneaks its way into their routine. Virtual assistant technologies, such as Alexa or Google Home, are AI powered devices that are capable of natural language processing tasks (NLP), such as music playback, setting alarms, providing weather updates, and other helpful information. According to Amazon, 71 million Americans use Amazon Alexa. Those who don’t own an Alexa likely use another type of virtual assistant, like Google Home or Siri. Even though these virtual assistants can be quite handy, many find them to be creepy or unsettling for multiple reasons, including privacy concerns and data security issues. Voice activated assistants, like Alexa, are programmed to respond to specific phrases, typically, “Hey Alexa.” However, there have been many cases where Alexa has been activated unintentionally. This leads users to feel unsafe because they believe their virtual assistant was listening to a private conversation, which evokes a sense of surveillance and invasion.

In addition to being present around the house, Artificial Intelligence has become increasingly present in the workforce. From data entry and bookkeeping to customer service jobs, employees around the country believe that artificial intelligence has become a threat to jobs that involve completing repetitive tasks, such as assembly line work, processing transactions, and other routine jobs. Many individuals are worried that the adoption of artificial intelligence in the workplace will lead to a decreased demand for human labor, potentially leading to unemployment issues. Contrarily, others are enthused about AI in the workplace because it could potentially bring improvements and benefits. Because AI can be programmed to complete repetitive, time-consuming tasks, this could allow human employees to be free to focus on more complex and creative tasks, which could lead to new ideas being formed and higher productivity rates. Additionally, AI is useful in data analysis because it can analyze large amounts of data very quickly and provide insight on decision making. It also eliminates the possibility of human bias being involved in decision making. This could allow companies to approach problems more efficiently and strategically. While many people are excited about the possibilities Artificial Intelligence brings to the table, it’s important to consider potential challenges, like job displacement or an over reliance on technology. We must have a thoughtful approach as we continue to develop and implement AI technology in society, keeping the balance in society between human and machine.