Abstract

This article seeks to reflect on the difference between humans and smart machines as they will have more big data to analyze, potentially helping humans make better decisions. However, the interaction with a machine in private spheres may affect how humans relate among themselves. There is a risk that humans will tend to dehumanize themselves as interactions with smart machines are more prevalent. Humans will not only be watched in traditional public spaces, such as on the streets, but also in more intimate contexts by companionship of robots that capture, through multiple sensors and cameras, every detail of a human life. Therefore, it is relevant to examine the education of programmers and developers of artificial intelligence (AI), as a minority is building the future of most of the world’s population. Moreover, the possible consequences of addiction by design of social networks and many applications tend to disconnect humans as they replace human interactions in the real world with online interactions. Traceability of personal information would give power to the corporations and governments that have access to it. A challenge for society may be to regulate the power of these entities, otherwise a social credit score may determine not only individuals’ present circumstances but that of their offspring. AI’s final goal should be to amplify the freedom of people and to help them become more autonomous. AI should be a complement to human activities, but caution should guide when AI replaces human choices as the possibilities of discrimination and permanent disadvantages increases.

Keywords: artificial intelligence, data-driven economy, privacy, surveillance society, ethics

How to Cite:

Briseida Sofía Jiménez-Gómez, Humans and Machines: Challenges of Treating a Person Like a Machine, 4 Ariz. L. J. Emerging Tech., no. 2, 2020, https://doi.org/10.2458/azlawjet.5501