Like nuclear bomb, AI can be force for destruction or progress: Experts

By Semra Orkan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Scientists believe that artificial intelligence (AI) may have both constructive and destructive impacts in the future.

Emre Onur Kahya, the head of the Physics Engineering department at Istanbul Technical University (ITU), told Anadolu that AI is an algorithm capable of performing many tasks usually done by humans.

Highlighting the various potential futures of AI, Kahya emphasized, "AI can be likened to a nuclear bomb. Just as the atomic bomb brought about devastating destruction, it also propelled advancements in nuclear physics, such as MR."

He stressed that AI will make it easy to get things like health, education, and law.

In legal practice, judges and prosecutors will experience a lighter workload due to AI assistance, he said.

AI will also support doctors in making diagnoses and differentiating between tumorous and non-tumorous cells in brain imaging.

- Should AI development slow down?

Despite acknowledging the "constructive" impact of AI, Kahya emphasized its potential "destructive effects, particularly in the arms industry."

Kahya noted that AI operates within algorithms and possibilities, cautioning that undesired outcomes could occur.

Highlighting potential issues with AI, he stated, "For instance, if given the command to 'increase potato production,' AI, wielding its power, could potentially eradicate everything, even humanity, and turn the world into potato fields. It's an exaggerated example, but the question of whether AI can make decisions autonomously remains open. The scientific community is now debating whether we should slow down AI development. It's difficult to determine the realism of these fears at this stage."

- Unemployment

Kahya mentioned recent advancements in AI in Türkiye, underscoring the pivotal role of the National Technology Directorate.

He advocated for teaching AI literacy in all engineering disciplines at the university level and expanding it to high schools and middle schools.
Emphasizing the long road ahead for Türkiye in AI, he mentioned, "Ministry of National Education has projects in AI applications. We need to train experts for AI education, and the IT sector should support these efforts."

Kahya warned of potential disparities between leading and lagging countries in the field of AI in the near future.

He stated, "Countries possessing key technologies like AI will produce products that underdeveloped countries may not even afford to buy."

Kahya also addressed concerns about AI leading to unemployment, stating, "AI will impact many sectors. It seems likely to cause unemployment in unexpected areas. The decisions we make regarding AI in the next ten years are crucial. We are at a moment that will shape our children and our future, so it is essential for the government, academia, and the private sector to work together on this."

- Unmanned vehicles will increase

Nazım Kemal Ure from the ITU Artificial Intelligence Department described AI as the "automation of computation."

Ure noted that AI will have "significant impacts" on various sectors, stating, "We will encounter many technologies in the business world that increase human productivity. Particularly in the defense and transportation sectors, the capabilities of unmanned vehicles will greatly increase."

He further mentioned that countries like the US and China lead in AI, but noted Türkiye's "significant progress" in the past three years, indicating substantial potential.

- AI is both good and bad

Ure mentioned that tasks done with AI will see improved quality.

He stated, "AI has both positive and negative aspects. While there may not be immediate negatives, discussions are ongoing about precautions for the future. Rather than fearing unemployment, we should anticipate a transformation in our work processes, necessitating the learning of new skills."

Ure compares the rise of AI to the computer revolution, highlighting how proficiency in technology has become "essential for job prospects."

He believes that while AI may initially cause job losses, it will ultimately lead to a "better world through transformation."

However, he warns of potential future disparities between countries advanced in AI and those lagging behind, stressing the importance of self-improvement to stay competitive.