For most of you who have followed us for a while, you know that I’m an anxious person. I stress out having to bring snacks to the tennis team. Paperwork terrifies me. There are so many (seemingly small things) that can cause me to feel tremendous stress. Do you know one thing that bizarrely doesn’t scare me? Artificial intelligence taking over the world. There are a lot of hills I’m gonna die on. But if there’s a zombie apocalypse triggered by artificial intelligence? Take me first, alien overlords.
Here’s how I see it: There are so many real things to be afraid of today. As a woman, I get scared going on a run by myself. I fear the lack of gun control in our communities, I’m worried about our aging parents and looming college applications. But I just can’t seem to be bothered with threats of artificial intelligence.
My husband, on the other hand, is a different story.
Having Some Healthy Skepticism
Penn is extremely worried about artificial intelligence (AI) and what could happen if it gets into the wrong hands. You could argue he’s seen too many science fiction movies, but his concerns comes from a very real and logical place. He worries about the exponential evolution of AI, where it is headed, and whether humans can control it.
To me, AI is something that has the potential to revolutionize many aspects of our world, from disease prevention to filling gaps in our educational system by providing access to tools and information that might otherwise not be available. But I understand Penn’s (and most likely many others) shared skepticism.
So we invited an expert on this week’s podcast to educate us more on the potential of AI, how it is affecting our children (in both good and dangerous ways), why we should have a healthy skepticism of the technology as it evolves…and maybe help to allay some of Penn’s fears.
The Evolution of AI
Dr. Helen Crompton, a professor at Old Dominion University and the Executive Director of the Research Institute for Digital Innovation in Learning at ODUGlobal, is a renowned scholar and thought leader in the field of educational technology and AI. We were able to pick her brain about this fascinating subject…everything from how we’ve been using AI for years, maybe even unwittingly (how did Netflix KNOW I wanted to watch that Hallmark movie??), how AI is revolutionizing education, to the dangers that our kids face on a daily basis from predators who may be phishing for information.
After talking with Dr. Crompton, I’m convinced AI will continue to evolve in extraordinary ways as it becomes increasingly omnipresent in our lives, and I now have more tools to protect myself and my family against those who are using it for harmful means. And maybe (just maybe) Penn has been reassured that the AI zombie apocalypse is not on the horizon.
