What are 3 common AI myths?

If you believe some of the myths about AI (artificial intelligence), in a few years AI will mean that people don't need to work and that AI is going to be able to do all our jobs for us.

Fortunately, it is a myth. Which I'm glad about because if we don't work we don't get paid, so I wouldn't be able to pay the mortgage on my house, or pay for my season ticket for my local football team.

AI will help me in my job by helping to me to write an email to a client, but I'll still need to tell AI the basic details of the task I want it to do. 

AI is indeed new and exciting, and also a little scary, but there is also a real lack of understanding about how AI works.

Here are 3 myths about AI:

1. AI is biased

One of the biggest myths about AI is that it is biased. 

Technically speaking AI isn't biased, but the data that AI uses to come up with results is biased. However, as more data is analysed, hopefully some of the bias will disappear.

It's not going to get rid of all of the content though. Even Google, with its Gemini suite, has been criticised for depicting one of the founding fathers of America as being black. AI uses tools to sift data, but if the data is biased then AI will report this when you use it. One way of making sure that unbiased results are presented is to make sure that the "training data" is not biased. 

2. AI can reason like humans

The next myth is about whether or not AI can reason like humans can. Last night my wife ordered pizza. We could have ordered all sorts of other fast food, but we decided on pizza. If you asked an AI client what you could have for fast food it would come up with lots of suggestions, but it would leave you to make the final decision. 

I asked Chat GPT "What should I eat for a takeaway tonight?". This is what it came up with:

"Choosing a takeaway can be a fun but tough decision! Here are some options depending on what you’re in the mood for:

1. Comfort Food: If you want something comforting, go for pizza, burgers, or a hearty pasta dish. These are satisfying and easy to share if you’re with others.
2. Healthy Option: If you’re looking to keep it light, try a fresh salad with grilled chicken or a poke bowl. Sushi is also a great option.
3. Asian Cuisine: Craving some flavour? Thai, Chinese, or Indian food can offer a variety of dishes like curries, stir-fries, or noodle bowls.
4. Mediterranean: If you want something balanced and flavourful, try Mediterranean. A mix of grilled meats, houmus, and fresh veggies is delicious and nutritious.
5. Something New: If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try something you haven’t had before? Maybe a new local spot or a cuisine you haven’t explored much, like Ethiopian or Korean BBQ.

What are you in the mood for? That might help narrow it down!"

AI can reason, but it reasons in different ways to humans. It relies on data, not mood.

3. AI is empathetic

Yesterday, one of my friends died. We weren't close but we'd exchange a few words when we saw each other when we passed each other in the corridor at the office. Telling an AI client that a friend died elicited this response:

"I'm so sorry to hear that your friend has passed away. Losing someone close is incredibly difficult, and I want to express my deepest condolences. Please know that I'm here for you if you need to talk or simply want someone to listen."

To me this sounds very formal and clinical. You get so much more empathy from a human being in my opinion. The response I've got from Gemini isn't "from the heart", it has just learnt from an awful lot of data.

Myths vs reality

Getting rid of some of the myths of AI can only lead to a better understanding of how AI can be used to help people. AI is here to stay and we should embrace it! And if you use Siri or Google, for example, you are already using AI without really noticing it. AI can only get better when the data that it gets is better.