a phd research proposal

a phd research proposal

Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Modern Society

1. Introduction

The appearance of artificial intelligence (AI) as an unseen force impacts every facet of modern society. Some experts view this force as a beneficial augmentation of human capabilities, one that extends human intelligence by allowing individuals to accomplish those tasks at which they perform poorly but computers excel. The full realization of such a vision promises a society wherein humans spend more time accomplishing what they find inherently meaningful and valuable, creating new knowledge and new goods and services. In contrast to optimists, some are quick to point out the foundational myth of AI development that machines could surpass humans’ capabilities by acquiring intelligence. They critique the economic incentives that perpetuate the development of AI, given that it advantages some individuals at the expense of others as it implements an ethical framework that is beneficial only to those who design it.

Human Safety: Safety is the most important need for humans, where the number of accidents and terrorist attacks is increasing. It is difficult for existing technology systems to prevent any threat instantly, as humans are working on these systems and it is difficult for the existing systems to think about what is going to happen next from the event that has happened in the present time. The AI systems can be designed to not only detect an event from the input of the event and find any possible threats that can happen in the future but also avoid the threats.

2. Literature Review

This study focused on the impact of artificial intelligence and machine learning in modern society. It discusses and analyzes the current use of AI technologies, identifying their main advantages, such as improved decision-making processes and the ability to perform repetitive tasks quicker and more efficiently, but also their main disadvantages and concerns, such as cybersecurity and privacy issues, economic problems and impacts, legal and ethical concerns, and the possible development of a superintelligent AI that might be able to replace humans altogether. It argues that while AI technologies are indeed contributing to the acquisition and distribution of knowledge and are creating a true knowledge society, on the other hand, it is also contributing to increasing job polarization, increasing digital and economic divides, and reducing humans’ contributions. Advances in the fields of AI and related technologies offer myriad positive possibilities for deep, transformative impact on society. The many voices reflected in this review call attention to a need to work towards the possibility that AI will have a positive societal impact with as much confidence as hype.

The main purpose of this literature review is to provide an overview and review of existing literature, mainly articles and books, on the impact of AI and society, highlighting its main themes, concerns, problems, and prospects. The review utilized scholarly articles written by researchers and professionals in the field of AI, computer science, information systems, and working in related fields such as law and philosophy. The review is organized into four main categories: (1) knowledge society and media; (2) artificial intelligence, machine learning, and algorithms; (3) technology and society; and (4) artificial intelligence, work, economy, and society. The literature on knowledge society and AI, expressed mostly by philosophers, suggests that AI technologies are indeed contributing to the acquisition and distribution of knowledge and creating a knowledge society. Studies and books on artificial intelligence and work acknowledge that while AI technologies have greatly improved decision making and have made AI capable of seeing, listening, talking, moving, and reading billboards, AI has not been able to replace human workers in a variety of roles – yet.

3. Methodology

To conduct this research, we employed a mixed-method approach. Firstly, a survey was carried out in the summer of 2021 through a European-wide web panel. In total, 9,033 panellists from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Spain, Finland, France, and the UK participated in the study. Secondly, experts in the field of artificial intelligence from both the United States and Europe participated in semi-structured interviews to provide more in-depth insights into the role, impact, and regulation of artificial intelligence.

The survey and interviews generated data about: AI adoption and diffusion in Europe and the potential impact of AI on the economy, society, and governments; the role of public policies in shaping the current and future development of AI, specifically focusing on policies aimed at mitigating concerns related to AI; the role of AI in shaping the current and future EU and U.S. broader economic relationship, including an appraisal of future scenarios; the role of AI in shaping transatlantic relations, including an appraisal of future scenarios; the potential of creating compatible and coherent rules on AI at the global level; the role of standards and the technical harmonization amongst AI-driven products. The researchers carried out a quantitative analysis of the survey data provided by the web panel. Additionally, they conducted a thematic analysis of the interview data to elicit and unpack the experience and predictors regarding the impact of AI on societal outcomes. The interviews were conducted using Teams and were audio recorded. The researchers asked several questions, following three themes: a) factors that may impact diverse case examples of AI usage; b) equity, inclusivity, and accessibility concerns associated with AI; c) the regulatory landscape of AI and thoughts on federal AI regulation. Each interview lasted approximately one hour. The interviews were transcribed verbatim using a professional transcription service, and these transcripts made up the qualitative data examined in this study.

4. Expected Outcomes and Significance

Expectation: The main deliverable of the research is a report that summarizes the research conducted and produces an assessment of the significant results and insights gained. The main findings will be drawn from a systematic literature review, a census of leading players and innovators in the field, including at least one expert interview and multiple case study analyses. Based on these deliverables, extensive consideration of their significance and theoretical contribution, and their ability to identify trends and emergent issues, the hope is that the research team can publish reports on a high-quality, peer-reviewed journal in the field of geography and AI studies, and produce one or more research articles to be submitted to a journal, subject to peer review. Highly competitive outlets could include Geography Compass and an edited volume on AI and its consequences for modern society.

Practical implications: The research considers ways in which creativity is becoming redefined by AI and, in the process, also contributes to the revalorization of the conception and practice of artistic practices and knowledge in society. Spelling out how new developments in the field of AI and art are projecting different ways in which creativity itself is conceived and, thereby, shedding new light on a subject that often divides views within the knowledge society and academic world. The theoretical implications are, indeed, the significance of the research. They are expected to provide great insight into the way different and interconnected lines of research are contributing to and accelerating geopolitical tensions, leading citizens to be afraid.

5. Conclusion and Future Directions

5.1. Overall Conclusions

This paper contributes to this research by developing a model of AI impacts that accounts for both direct and indirect effects of AI across several different dimensions. We argue that this can help inform a more integrative view across disciplines, addressing many of the limitations of existing frameworks. Examining the possibility of net negative impacts from the indirect effects of AI, this paper contributes a number of systematically organized arguments that either support or challenge this possibility. In doing so, we suggest some potentially helpful and harmful indirect effects of AI, although we also caution against adopting the view that AI must inevitably have net negative indirect impacts. As such, we argue that the relationship between direct and indirect effects of AI is complex and may even have a degree of path dependency.

However, there may be a role for policy and other interventions to ensure that the impacts of AI are net positive. For example, some applications of AI may have highly localized net negative impacts. In a policy context, this would bring into question the appropriateness of using a one-size-fits-all approach. Our results also have implications for future research. A systematic investigation of indirect effects across a range of dimensions could help to refine existing models of AI impacts and provide additional evidence for practitioners and policymakers. A more direct exploration of indirect effects might, for example, also involve an assessment of the impact of bias of AI systems.