Political leaders, countries, governments, executives and companies in every industry, are all starting to realize one important point. Whoever rules AI, will rule the world. This is a powerful thought, but it is true. AI is a technology that will continue to grow and move into every corner of our lives including government, business and personal. In fact, wars of tomorrow between countries and companies will be fought with AI, not bombs and bullets.
AI is that impactful and will change everything. This is a new and unique opportunity for companies, countries and political leaders. It could give large countries an advantage and give smaller companies a seat at the table of power and influence. It could even give unstable countries power to impact the world. This is great for them, but worrisome for the rest of the world.
Absolute AI Power Will Corrupt Absolutely
This limitless power is something small companies and small countries never had before. Most will use AI responsibly, but not all. And the old saying, absolute power will corrupt absolutely will come into play. Sometimes, a business will develop an unfair competitive position. Other times it will give unstable countries the ability to impact the lives and safety of billions in other countries.
Many benefits will be above board, but many will be under cover. This is one of the darker sides of the bright and shiny world of AI. Small countries, who could never win against larger countries, will have new found power. They could win battles they never could before, for better or for worse.
So, AI is a double-edged sword. This is a huge new opportunity, but it is also a great challenge and threat. When used correctly, AI will build our civilization. When used incorrectly, it will cause the unraveling of our civilization.
What Do World Leaders Think About AI?
World leaders are beginning to understand whoever rules AI, can and will rule the world. This should be considered both an opportunity and a serious threat which we have no block for yet.
AI is going to become the nervous system for the entire world. That means it will impact electric and nuclear power, money, water and every other vital function of our world. Yesterday, wars were fought with battlefield weapons, but tomorrow will be fought with AI and information technology.
As an example of what the world could look like after an AI attack, just look at Puerto Rico after recent hurricanes Harvey and Irma. No power. No water. No plumbing. Nothing. Life was instantly transformed into the stone age. Everything we need is tied up in information systems we cannot even use.
Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma Examples of AI Aftermath
We only think we have order in our lives. And we do, as long as the police are there to protect us, and the power is on to light the darkness and cool the heat, and clean water runs to quench our thirst. Now, imagine what would our lives be like without these basic functions of life? Citizens of Puerto Rico are still living through that hell.
This is the battlefield of tomorrow. This is what we need to protect ourselves against.
AI will grow and impact every slice of our lives. Slices we aren’t even aware of as it communicates over the Internet of Things or IoT. AI will control everything, from how we get cash from our ATM machine to the vast amounts of information stored on servers. AI will impact every area of government.
The wars of tomorrow will be fought differently. The purpose will be to cause a Puerto Rico hurricane aftermath in the enemy country. To unhook adversaries turning their society into a chaotic mess.
At the same time, every country and every company must protect itself and insulate itself. Something that is getting more difficult all the time.
That’s what many world leaders and many industry players see as the future of AI. A way to lead. A way to change the power structure in the world or the industry. A new way to grow. Most will be good. However, we should brace ourselves and protect ourselves from the parts that are not so good. Because tomorrow, ready or not, we will face both.
Jeff Kagan is an Equities.com columnist. Kagan is a Wireless Analyst, Telecom Analyst, Industry Analyst, speaker and consultant. He follows wireless, wire line, telecom, Internet, cable TV, IPTV, Cloud, Mobile Pay, FinTech and communications technology. Email him at [email protected]. His web site is www.jeffKAGAN.com. Follow him on Twitter @jeffkagan.
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