Cultural Studies: AI and the Risk Society

TOPIC OF THE BLOG:-

This blog is a part of a task given by Dilip Barad Sir from The English Department, MKBU, Bhavnagar. For more information about other writers, Poets, Poems and related topics visit this Blog site of Dilip Barad Sir (Click here). In this blog I am going to discuss about the point of view of mine or what I understand in AI and the Risk Society under the context of the context of Cultural Studies.

WHAT IS AN AI?

Let's ask this question to the AI itself. 

Chat GPT:-

AI, or Artificial Intelligence, refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines, particularly computer systems. It involves creating computer programs or systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as understanding natural language, recognizing patterns, solving problems, and learning from experience.

AI can be classified into two main categories:

1. Narrow AI (Weak AI): This type of AI is designed to perform specific tasks or solve particular problems. It is highly specialized and cannot perform tasks outside of its predefined scope. Examples of narrow AI include voice assistants like Siri or Alexa, image recognition software, and recommendation algorithms used by streaming services and e-commerce websites.

2. General AI (Strong AI): General AI, also known as artificial general intelligence (AGI), refers to AI systems with human-like intelligence and capabilities. These systems would have the ability to understand, learn, and adapt to a wide range of tasks and domains, similar to how humans can. General AI remains a theoretical concept and has not been achieved as of my last knowledge update in September 2021.

AI refers to the development of computer systems or algorithms that can mimic human intelligence to perform specific tasks or solve problems, ranging from simple, narrow tasks to complex, general intelligence scenarios (which are still a subject of ongoing research). (Click Here to read from Chat GPT and for Explore it)

Bard:-

AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. It is a branch of computer science that deals with the creation of intelligent agents, which are systems that can reason, learn, and act autonomously. AI research has been highly successful in developing effective techniques for solving a wide range of problems, from game playing to medical diagnosis. AI systems are typically powered by machine learning algorithms, which allow them to learn from data and improve their performance over time. Machine learning algorithms can be used to train AI systems to perform a variety of tasks, such as recognizing objects in images, translating languages, and predicting customer behavior. AI is already being used in a wide range of industries and applications, including:-

Healthcare:- AI is being used to develop new drugs and treatments, diagnose diseases, and provide personalized care to patients. 

Finance:- AI is being used to detect fraud, make investment decisions, and automate customer service tasks. 

Manufacturing:- AI is being used to optimize production processes, improve quality control, and predict demand.

Retail:- AI is being used to personalize the shopping experience, recommend products, and manage inventory.

Transportation:- AI is being used to develop self-driving cars, optimize traffic flow, and predict delays. 

AI is a rapidly developing field with the potential to revolutionize many aspects of our lives. As AI systems become more sophisticated and capable, we can expect to see them used in even more innovative and transformative ways. 

Here are some examples of AI in use today:-

Google Search:- AI is used to rank search results and provide relevant answers to your queries. Netflix recommendations:- AI is used to recommend movies and TV shows that you are likely to enjoy.

Spam filters:- AI is used to identify and block spam emails.

Self-driving cars:

AI is used to control self-driving cars and navigate them safely through traffic. 

Virtual assistants:- AI is used to power virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant. 

These are just a few examples of the many ways that AI is being used today. As AI technology continues to develop, we can expect to see even more innovative and transformative applications emerge in the future. (Click Here to read from Bard and for Explore it)

We got an interesting answer from a part of an AI that What is an AI? and What are the aspects or features of it? Let's Explore this topic more. 

In this era where students are started relying on AI and technology for simplest problems it can be seen as a real Problem and because of that there are some risks also which can be considered as the limitations of AI.

WHAT IS A RISK SOCIETY?:- 

The concept of a risk society refers to how contemporary society arranges itself in reaction to potential dangers. This idea is closely linked with important thinkers on modern life, notably Ulrich Beck and Anthony Giddens (Beck) focuses on how our society is not just about sharing good things like wealth, but also about sharing bad things like pollution and other harmful effects of our activities. These bad things are often caused by technology and are seen as things we can prevent. In a risk society, people and society as a whole think a lot about how likely it is for bad things to happen, and they try to figure out who should be responsible for them and how to share the risks among everyone. (Baxter) Further, As per the British sociologist Anthony Giddens, a risk society is "A society increasingly preoccupied with the future (and also with safety), which generates the notion of Risk". (Giddens)

If we look more deep into this theory we can find that Beck argues that contemporary society has shifted from an industrial society, characterized by the production of goods, to a risk society, where the production and management of risks take center stage. In industrial society, the focus was on the production of tangible goods, whereas in the risk society, the production and management of intangible risks become paramount. Beck posits that in the risk society, risks are no longer confined to specific groups or regions but have become global and individualized. Beck distinguishes between natural risks (earthquakes, floods) and manufactured risks (nuclear accidents, chemical pollution). He argues that manufactured risks are largely human-made and result from technological and industrial developments.

Here is a Ted Talk video titled with 'How will AI challenged the World' available on YouTube:-

Here is a Ted Talk video titled with 'The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Society.' available on YouTube:-

AI AND IT'S RISK:-

Technology and Artificial Intelligence made this era revolutionary. Whoever wants to be in this era they have to learn the use of it. Here are some of the blogs by Dilip Barad Sir on the example of Artificial Intelligence which are worth looking:

• Open AI Generated Literature - ChatGPT (Click Here). 
• Cyberfeminism - AI and Gender Biases (Click Here)
• Why are We so Scared of Robots / AIs? (Click Here)

Let's see some of the examples form Anime:-

SERIEL EXPERIMENTS LAIN:-

"Serial Experiments Lain" is a Japanese anime television series that was created and co-produced by Yasuyuki Ueda. It was written by Chiaki J. Konaka and directed by Ryūtarō Nakamura. The animation for the series was produced by Triangle Staff, and the original character designs were created by Yoshitoshi Abe. (Plot - "Serial Experiments Lain" follows Lain Iwakura, a socially isolated schoolgirl in Japan, who discovers a virtual world called the Wired. Mysterious events blur reality and the digital realm. Masami Eiri, an AI researcher, uploads himself into the Wired, seeking control and merging the virtual with the real. A power struggle ensues between factions. Lain discovers god-like powers, erases memories, and promises to reunite with her friend Alice, showcasing her limitless AI-enhanced abilities to traverse both worlds.) Here is a Trailer available on IMBD (Click here). Here is a trailer available on YouTube:-

ERGO PROXY:-

"Ergo Proxy" is 2006 a cyberpunk anime TV series from Japan, produced by Manglobe and directed by Shūkō Murase, with writing by Dai Satō. (Plot - "Ergo Proxy," follows Re-L Mayer, an inspector, as she unravels a profound secret in a polluted future world. The story centers on AI characters known as AutoReivs, originally designed to serve humanity but now causing problems. The series combines intricate storytelling, stunning art, and deep philosophical themes, exploring questions about humanity, religion, and our species' destiny.) Here is a trailer availble on IMBD (Click Here). Here is a trailer availble on YouTube:-

 

ID: INVADED:-

"ID: Invaded" is a Japanese anime TV series created by NAZ. It was directed by Ei Aoki and written by Ōtarō Maijō. (Plot -  It follows Sakaido, a special police officer turned prisoner who enters virtual realms called "Id Wells" within criminals' minds. The series is praised for its compelling plot, striking art, and captivating music, using digital aesthetics to create visually stunning environments. In the show, AI is embodied by John Walker, aiding criminals in bypassing real-world security systems. John Walker's enigmatic nature and purpose are central to the narrative. "ID: Invaded" is an engaging anime with a gripping story, impressive visuals, and outstanding music.) Here is a trailer available in IMBD (Click Here). Here is a trailer available in YouTube:-

WONDER EGG PRIORITY:-

"Wonder Egg Priority," is a Japanese anime TV series. It was created and written by Shinji Nojima and directed by Shin Wakabayashi. The animation was handled by CloverWorks, and it is a collaborative production involving Aniplex, Nippon Television, and D.N. Dream Partners. In this anime series, a group of girls battles villains in their dreams using special wonder eggs. But before delving into the dream world, the story introduces three characters who appear to be scientific experiments. Ura and Acca, known as the scientists, are responsible for creating this entire dream realm. They assert that the bodies they inhabit are not real but rather puppet-like shells. While the concept may seem dramatic, it falls within the realm of science fiction and parallel worlds, making it a unique and intriguing anime. Here is a trailer available in IMBD (Click Here). Here is a trailer available in YouTube:- 

SING A BIT OF HARMONY (MOVIE):-

"Sing a Bit of Harmony," also known as "Ai no Utagoe o Kikasete" in Japanese, is a 2021 animated film that falls into the slice of life and science fiction genres. The movie was produced by J.C.Staff and directed by Yasuhiro Yoshiura. (Plot - Set in a future Japanese town, "The film follows Satomi Amano, a high school student living with her mother, Mitsuko, an AI specialist at Hoshima. Due to past events, Satomi is an outcast at school, estranged from her friend Tо̄ma Suzaki. Mitsuko secretly tests a highly advanced AI, Shion Ashimori, in Satomi's class. Shion surprises everyone by recognizing Satomi, using music to bring joy. Mysterious manipulations hide Shion's actions, leading to her capture by Hoshima. After discovering Shion is a modified AI gifted by Tо̄ma, Satomi and friends rescue her and upload her to a satellite. United, Satomi and Tо̄ma reconcile.") Here is a trailer available in IMBD (Click Here). Here is a trailer available in YouTube:- 

WORKS CITED:-

• Baxter, Jamie. “Health and Environmental Risk.” Edited by Audrey Kobayashi. International Encyclopedia of Human Geography (Second Edition), 2020, pp. 303-307. ScienceDirect, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780081022955104408.
• Beck, Ulrich. Risk Society: Towards a New Modernity. vol. 17, SAGE Publications, 1992.
• Giddens, Anthony, and Christopher Pierson. Conversations with Anthony Giddens : making sense of modernity. Polity Press, 1998

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Words:- 1918