|| Humanizing AI: The Power of Positive Engagement ||

Let's stand on the seashore during low tide and think about creating cosmic power. Stand a little away from the waves and ask them to come closer to you. Is it possible for the waves to reach you? No, it's a natural phenomenon—you can't control it, no matter how great your cosmic power is. This is just one example; there are many examples in nature where change is impossible. Similarly, no matter how advanced science becomes or how revolutionary artificial intelligence is, it cannot replace human intelligence. In today's world, people are fascinated by artificial intelligence, but we forget that it was created by humans. If humans can make mistakes, what about artificial intelligence? Just as humans learn from their mistakes and experiences, artificial intelligence should also be used after sufficient experience and should be employed for the well-being of humanity.

How, by following science and the Western world, are we losing our cultural values? Can using artificial intelligence lead to the loss of human values? Lord Krishna says humans have been given the power to think and use their intelligence, but if that intelligence is not used to construct dharma, relationships, emotions, or humanity, it will not have any value. Faith in God and nature exists only because of love. Krishna and Radha represent the extremities of love; their love was sacrificed for humanity. This kind of love cannot be measured even 1% with the help of artificial intelligence. However, if we use artificial intelligence with love, it will have tremendous value.

I was going through a study that showed that if we excessively use or become habituated to using artificial intelligence, then 75 million to 375 million workers around the world could lose their jobs. This means that around 3 to 14% of the global population will have difficulty surviving. The most affected population will be those with low wages. Those who understand artificial intelligence are typically educated and have high incomes. Economic insecurity among low-wage populations can increase crime and destructive behaviors. An initiative like our Josh Foundation can help. If low-income people understand that new, innovative technology can change lives (like how we fit hearing aids to individual requirements), then at least the new generation of low-income groups will be inclined towards education and will learn the correct use of artificial intelligence and technology.

Just as hearing disabilities are often invisible and not much work has been done in that area, artificial intelligence also lacks visibility. Every technology is designed with certain algorithms, so if those man-made algorithms fail, they can render significant technological advancements useless. Today, many technologies are used in various sectors, but if not utilized properly, they can go to waste. We've seen today's youngsters, who are overly dependent on technology, finding it difficult to survive without it. The human brain, designed for critical thinking, struggles to make even basic life decisions. Marriage decisions are sometimes made based on whether the family is tech-savvy. I remember when we made a film about hearing impairment, a normal girl decided to marry a hearing-impaired boy because talking to him, she never felt his impairment. Additionally, the boy's success was due to his family's support, making her feel fortunate to join such a family. Such thought processes are now rare to find.

Many technology-driven companies claim that artificial intelligence is the future and that everyone needs to get used to it. They engage in aggressive marketing and make people feel that AI is the only solution for survival, claiming it performs miracles. However, in our field, even with advanced technology like hearing aids or expensive cochlear implants, the results are not magical. Technology must be tailored to the individual, and social and human connections, such as rehabilitation and speech and language stimulation, are equally important for achieving results. Similarly, in any industry, artificial intelligence works best when combined with the right human connections.

Artificial intelligence sometimes does not consider gender, age, or race, as it is supposed to be common for everyone. However, the warmth of parents towards their children, the attraction and relationships between males and females, or the respect for seniors and elders cannot be measured. A small child can run, fall, and get up again. Middle-aged individuals may run, fall, and learn to become stable through experiences. Elders may walk, fall, and need the right support to get up, as cognitive behavior changes at every stage of life. This cognition is best addressed by artificial intelligence when done individually, not for the masses. Artificial intelligence might provide wrong information to people of different ages. For example, video games and the use of smartphones and iPads by kids have reduced their brain efficiency. Less and right exposure can make a huge difference in the growth of a child.

The excessive use of machinery for artificial intelligence has also affected the environment physically and mentally for people. Pollution, garbage, global warming, and other disadvantages of technology have impacted the natural environment, including the air, water, and food, making it difficult for humans to survive. However, I also know of a factory that saves energy while manufacturing its products with artificial intelligence and provides energy to others. Solar energy, now used worldwide, is a proper application of artificial intelligence. As rightly said, artificial intelligence is at its best when human intelligence-coded software generates the right stimulation. It needs to work with the right ethics.

The world of artificial intelligence has brought us closer and made us feel more included as part of society. Our profiling has become more personalized, though some argue it has introduced bias. However, the sense of being closer and included is something we need to feel in our hearts. My positive outlook suggests that the use of artificial intelligence also requires a positive attitude from humans. Think about it?