(The Dallas Examiner) – What is artificial intelligence or AI? And how comfortable are you with it?
AI refers to the ability of computer systems to perform tasks that usually require human intelligence. Though AI systems may be faster, more powerful and capable of processing more information than the average person, they can only learn what humans teach them.
Much like television in the 1930s and 1940s, computers in the 1980s, and the internet in the 1990s, AI has brought widespread concerns about how they would impact individuals’ morals, the family structure, privacy and employment.
Some of those fears were valid in a sense. But it’s up to us to decide how these devices will be used – we can allow them to control us, or we can learn more about them and how to use them as tools. And yes a lot of jobs have changed, but progress requires change.
However, if you think you’ve never used AI, think again. If you have a smart phone and use Siri or Google assistant, or if you unlock your phone with face recognition, then you have used AI. If you use social media, then you rely on algorithms to personalize to your feed, recommend content and filter spam – another type of AI.
Anyone who has ever used Google maps, Apple Maps, Waze, etc. have used AI. For those that use streaming services – such as Netflix, YouTube, etc. – and have seen movie or songs suggestions based on your viewing/listening history and preferences, then you have seen AI in action. It’s the same for anyone who has ever shopped online – at stores like Amazon or Walmart – and get the little ads that recommend different products or even the little chat boxes that allow you to ask questions about different products. That is AI in action.
As users, it is up to us to use AI responsibly. AI is at assistive tool, not a replacement tool.
AI, regardless as to how we feel about it, has been woven into just about every part of American life. It’s quietly running in the background. We pick it up and use it every day. It’s being used to create products and perform tasks at a faster pace with more precision.
In the auto industry, AI is used in machinery to lift heavy parts and put them in place faster and more accurately than the average human. But people must still supervise this machinery and inspect its work. In surgery, AI instruments may be used to make tiny incisions and go into smaller places than hands can go to extract an object or repair an organ. However, these instruments are operated by humans.
More recently the question has come up in the world of journalism, “What are the most responsible ways that we can use AI to benefit our industry and the communities we serve?”
AI can be used to check spelling and grammar. It can help develop a list of resources in researching background for an article. It can be used to suggest titles. AI can create stock images and graphs that can help bring the article to life. There are many tools for journalists and it’s up to the individual journalist as well as the media to develop, use and re-enforce a standard of practice according to their own ethical standards.
The question is, as a reader, how comfortable are you what is the ideal of your media source using AI? And to what extent?
I know there’s a lot going on right now. But, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take three to five minutes to answer a few questions on our survey, at bit.ly/AIinNews.
The Dallas Examiner is in the process of revising its standard to include the limited use of artificial intelligence. As a multimedia publication, we have access to various tools that include AI technology. The survey will allow us to become more familiar with you, the reader, as well as how you feel about artificial intelligence. We value your opinion.
All responses to this survey will be collected anonymously. No identifying information will be linked to your answers.
Robyn H. Jimenez is the vice president of the Production and Editorial Departments at The Dallas Examiner. She can be reached at rjimenez@dallasexaminer.com.