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Old Wooden Ships & Artificial Intelligence.

Updated: Sep 19

And what we can learn from them about an AI-integrated future!


Matthew Wate, TForge's Innovation Architect shares his thoughts.


Unless you’ve been living a blissfully offline life on a deserted beach, you’ve likely been overwhelmed with content about AI's potential, dangers, opportunities, and threats. Depending on your sources, AI is either humanity's savior, destroyer, or just another passing fad. The reality likely lies somewhere in between.


Some jobs and professions are indeed at risk due to AI-driven technologies that outperform humans in speed, efficiency, and cost. This has been a constant throughout history, as technology replaces certain jobs, from steam engines to automated exchanges.


Today, AI includes machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), and robotics. ML, especially deep learning, has advanced pattern recognition, data analysis, and predictive modeling. NLP has improved machine understanding and generation of human language, evident in chatbots and translation services. AI-enhanced robotics are revolutionizing manufacturing, healthcare, and domestic environments.


Managing AI's impact requires a proactive approach. The risks include increased autonomy in processes, which could lead to unanticipated decisions affecting customer experiences. A historical analogy is useful: in the pre-industrial era, ships had orders that provided guidelines while allowing autonomy. Similarly, AI needs clear directives and constraints to function effectively and safely.


Transparency and interpretability are major challenges. Unlike traditional software, AI often operates as a "black box," making it hard to understand decision-making processes, especially in critical fields like healthcare and finance. Bias in AI systems is another concern, as biased training data can lead to unfair outcomes. Ensuring diverse and representative data, along with fairness audits, is essential.


Cybersecurity is also crucial. As AI integrates more into daily life and critical infrastructure, it becomes a target for cyber-attacks. Protecting AI systems involves robust security measures and autonomous threat detection.


Learning from the past, we can balance AI's capabilities with control over its operations. This ensures technology enhances our lives without compromising our values or security.


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