What if artificial intelligence is just a ‘normal’ technology?

In the whirlwind of hype surrounding artificial intelligence, it’s easy to get swept away by visions of utopian futures or dystopian nightmares. We hear predictions of singularity, job displacement on an unprecedented scale, and machines achieving consciousness. But what if we paused for a moment and considered a different perspective?

What if, despite its incredible capabilities and rapid advancements, artificial intelligence is, in essence, just another ‘normal’ technology? Not normal in the sense of being mundane or unimpactful, but normal in how its integration into society and the economy might ultimately unfold. Its rise might yet follow the path of previous technological revolutions.

Think about the advent of the internet, electricity, or even the printing press. Each was revolutionary in its time, promising to reshape society in profound ways – and they did. Yet, their adoption wasn’t an instantaneous, flawless transition. There were periods of immense hype, followed by a ‘trough of disillusionment’ when initial expectations weren’t immediately met, and then a long, steady curve of innovation, adaptation, and integration into everyday life.

Electricity, for example, didn’t instantly transform factories; it took decades for industries to redesign their layouts and processes to fully leverage its distributed power. The internet, initially an academic tool, took years to move beyond dial-up modems and dot-com bubbles to become the ubiquitous platform we know today. Each faced skepticism, regulatory challenges, ethical debates, and the need for new infrastructure and skills.

Perhaps AI is on a similar trajectory. We’re currently experiencing the exhilarating peak of the ‘hype cycle.’ We marvel at generative AI’s creative feats and autonomous systems’ growing sophistication. But perhaps we’ll also see a period where its limitations become more apparent, where ethical dilemmas demand more robust solutions, and where the economic benefits take longer to materialize broadly than initially projected.

Embracing AI as a ‘normal’ technology doesn’t diminish its potential; it contextualizes it. It suggests that while AI will undoubtedly transform industries and societies, it will do so through a process of evolution, adaptation, and iterative development, much like the groundbreaking technologies that came before it. It means we should focus not just on the ‘what’ of AI, but on the ‘how’ – how it integrates, how it’s governed, and how humanity adapts to live alongside it, rather than being solely captivated by its ‘if’.

Source: Original Article