The rise of AI cannot be divorced from the large number of people who test out Service and share their results. Its massive use around the world has made people even more shocked over the technological leaps AI has made
By
WISNU WIDIANTORO
·6 minutes read
PANAGIOTIS KOTRIDIS VIA MIDJOURNEY
A firefighter created this AI-generated image to show solidarity between Greece and Turkey. It has been used by some scam accounts. The Greek newspaper OEMA reported that the image was created by a firefighter Panagiotis Kotridis using Midjourney's AI software.
Adorning a helmet and a firefighter’s uniform, a male figure is depicted holding a child wearing a T-shirt with the Turkish flag on its right sleeve. The helmet tells us this firefighter is from Greece. The officer appears to be rescuing victims of the earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on 6 Feb.
As quoted by greekcitytimes.com, this image was illustrated by a former fire commander to encourage Greek rescue workers who struggle to save victims of the Turkey-Syria earthquake. However, this image that was created using an artificial intelligence (AI) program on Midjourney was then used to scam people on the premise of fundraising for earthquake victims. The collected donations were channeled into the perpetrator’s own pocket.
Other than images of rescue workers, there have been many other Instagram uploads of images or visuals created by AI programs. Midjourney.com and Openai.com are one of many platforms that provide AI services, namely text to image generators. These services are capable of converting text input into image or visual output.
Aside from text to image generators, there are other AI-related services. One that has gained much attention since late 2022 is ChatGPT, an AI-based chatbot engine launched by OpenAI. This chatbot is able to answer questions and respond like two people having a conversation. ChatGPT is also capable of producing writing, speeches and sermons on any topic.
History of AI
The rise of AI cannot be divorced from the large number of people who test out services and share their results via social media. Its massive use around the world has made people even more shocked over the technological leaps AI has made.
In a closed discussion held by Kompas in early February 2023, Lukas, a lecturer in electrical engineering at Atma Jaya Catholic University, who also chairs the Indonesia AI Society, said mathematics, statistics and algorithms underlie AI development.
This discussion also featured two other speakers, namely Presidium of the Indonesian Anti-Slander Society chairman Eko Nugroho and visual artist Agan Harahap.
“The term AI was first coined in 1956 at a meeting of mathematicians at the Dartmouth Conference in America,” explained Lukas.
When the term was first coined, computers were still very limited and only owned by the state. The increasingly sophisticated, compact and people-friendly computers make AI more efficient. This was even more so after the Internet was introduced and allowed everything to become more interconnected. The availability of big data and data science also allowed AI to make leaps in its ability.
However, to this day, no single definition of AI has been agreed upon. This cannot be separated from the different approaches taken, namely thinking like humans, behaving like humans, thinking rationally and behaving rationally. “AI itself is not clearly defined yet because there are differences in the schools of thought,” said Lukas.
KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO
A man accessed the midjourney.com page linked to discord from a hotel in Pujut, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Sunday (5/3/2023).
To accommodate this, the AI community defines AI more broadly, namely as objects, algorithms and programs that are capable of performing actions similar to human thinking.
From the perspective of its capabilities, several experts have divided the development of AI into three stages, namely artificial narrow intelligence (ANI), artificial general intelligence (AGI) and artificial super intelligence (ASI).
AI development is currently in the ANI stage. At this stage, AI is still limited to carrying out focused tasks and has not been able to expand its own functions. By 2040, it is estimated that AI will reach the AGI stage, wherein AI will be able to perform a wider range of tasks and can compete with humans.
It may take up to tens of years from now to reach the ASI stage. By then, AI would already have intelligence beyond human capabilities. This ability may have been illustrated by Hollywood films, such as The Matrix, Artificial Intelligence and Tomorrowland.
Nonetheless, there are always pros and cons when it comes to technological developments. On one hand, AI presents a new way of working that is more efficient, accurate and tireless. Human work will be greatly improved by this new way of working. On the other hand, there are workers whose roles have been replaced by machines. Social, legal and humanitarian problems will also arise if technology is not used properly and correctly.
AI in the visual world
AI technology is developed across all fields, behaviors and human needs, from writing, calculating, predicting possibilities and newsmaking, to the defense and security of a country. Nothing is impossible to develop through AI.
In the visual world, especially photography, AI is developed rapidly after the rise of digital photography and photo processing programs. Many photographers have created presets (combined commands) that are added to photo processing applications. Once added, these presets can be used to improve photo quality with just a push of a button.
Moreover, AI programs have also been embedded in social media, such as Instagram. Instagram users can easily change the color tone and lighting of their photos. We can brighten skin colors, remove pimples or other details that interfere with the object of the photo to make it more pleasing to the eye.
Nothing is impossible to develop through AI.
AI programs have also been built into cameras, whether on mobile phones, digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras or mirrorless ones. In addition to programs that enhance the objects of photos, mobile phone cameras can also alter parts of the body to become funny and unusual. For example, human ears can be changed into a rabbit’s, or a pig’s nose can be added onto the face of an object in the photo.
AI programs are also found in digital cameras. In addition to programs related to photo color and tone, AI programs on object focus have also been installed. With this program, camera manufacturers guarantee no out-of-focus photos or videos. This is because the focus area will always follow the object even when the object moves far away from the lens.
No turning back
AI will continue to develop exponentially. In the future, it will not be impossible for there to be more leaps and bounds that will astonish the people of the world. Naturally, there will be mixed reactions to this technological advancement. “It varies, some are afraid, worried, excited or have high hopes for AI. It is all fair,” said Lukas.
What is certain, however, is that there is no stopping or turning back from the development of AI. Like humans, AI technology will continue to develop, advance and achieve many things. There are many benefits and consequences. Bias in the use of AI is also certain. The benefits we gain from using AI need to be guarded, while its consequences must be minimized.
In line with that, Multimedia Nusantara University lecturer and Kudu Data Digital director, Ingki Rinaldi, said the response of AI use in society must be measurable. We could not allow the communicative AI framed in the concept of human machine communication to be ignored or eradicated only because there were potential negative effects. We must consider and adjust to the rules of the game to minimize these negative effects.
Lukeas and Ingki argue that AI should not wither before it blossoms.
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