The day: benefits of AI are undeniable, but they raise ethical and social challenges: Wulfrano Luna

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on all areas of humanity is comparable to the development of the atomic bomb and the effects it had on physical sciencessaid Wulfrano Arturo Luna Ramírez, book coordinator Artificial Intelligence and Social Problems.

In a recent presentation of the text, Luna Ramírez explained that, as well as the atomic bomb promoted advances in modern physics, but also generated ethical dilemmas on the destructive power of science, the AI ​​shows a similar panorama. Its benefits in the field of health and labor automation are undeniable, but also raises ethical and social challenges that must be served.

The work, made up of eight chapters and an introduction, addresses this problem from an interdisciplinary perspective. Part of a historical exposure analyzes its ethical-moral implications, and examines the difficulties inherent in the development of this technology.

Enrique Gallegos Camacho, author of the chapter Technology, Capital and Person: Between Prometheus and Polyphemus. Critical notes from MarxismHe emphasized that the rise of artificial intelligence is accompanied by an optimistic story that highlights his contribution to working, business and daily life. However, he considered it essential to examine the pernicious effects that surround it, being registered in a capitalist system.

If one reviews the list of the 10 richest people in the world, it can be noted that at least eight of them come from technological capitalhe stressed. From its perspective, AI is not intrinsically negative, but its use is determined by economic interests that can lead to harmful consequences for society.

One of the critical points he addressed was the opacity in information management: What is done with it, how is it processed, what are the ends? All that rises to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter is being processed and is not for neutral purposes, it has specific objectives.

Other questionable aspects incurred by companies that develop this type of technology, he said, is the privatization of knowledge. The first Facebook version was made from the appropriation of research financed with public resources.

In addition, he raised the need to analyze with greater depth the manipulation of information on social networks, the addictive impact of applications such as Tiktok, and health problems derived from excessive use of digital devices.

Today artificial intelligence is seen as if it were the panacea of ​​all evils, when it will also generate problems.

Gallegos Camacho illustrated that AI is already used for questionable purposes, and mentioned the case of Israel, which has used these tools for tracking and eliminating objectives – presumably military -, causing the death of civilians. Also, he highlighted the case of the health sector, where there are significant medical advances, But expensive, beyond the reach of the general population.

He highlighted the case of the Argentine president, Javier Milei, who is investigated for promoting a cryptocurrency that collapsed in a couple of hours, which caused losses of millions of dollars among investors. It is a case in which the financial system is combined with the analysis of large volumes of data.

Technology is not bad in itself, the problem is that in this capitalist system it will be used in the worst possible way, for the benefit of those who have capitalhe added.

In this context, Gallegos Camacho and Luna Ramírez raised the need to establish regulations that balance the development of AI with respect to human rights.

The problem is that many of these technological companies have an economic power that exceeds the GDP of several countries, which makes it difficult to implement effective restrictionsGallegos Camacho warned.

In the presentation of the book it was made clear that AI is a tool with a transformative potential, but that its development and application require a deep discussion about its social, ethical and economic impact.

It is urgent to think about how to develop a responsible AI, who has other horizons beyond surplus valueSaid Luna Ramírez.