Writing Practice
When writing, the controls are in our hands. Metaphors influence how our readers see and understand our messages. A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes something through a comparison or symbolism, instead of a literal or direct way. AI is the technology that uses computers to carry out tasks that would normally require human intelligence. There are certainly mixed views on AI and its growing use. Here are three steps to building different metaphors to describe AI.
Step 1 – Think of adjectives that describe AI
Negative
Artificial Intelligence is…
HARMFUL
Al may cause real-world decimation.
Tech companies have used Al to predict and manipulate user behaviour. The military can train Al to identify specified targets to search for and kill.
Over time, Al can get out of our control and if its goals and ethics are incorrectly taught, Al can cause grave damage.
Balanced
Artificial Intelligence is…
CONTROLLABLE
Al can make the online space safer.
Tech companies can use Al to curate and offer alternate viewpoints that we might otherwise not search for. This can stop echo chambers and conspiracy theorists.
Positive
Artificial Intelligence is…
REVOLUTIONARY
Al can bring ground breaking progress to modern living.
Search engines use Al to provide the information and media we need for work and play, all with just a couple of clicks.
With its speed and intelligence, Al is on the frontier of many new discoveries.
Step 2 – Think of other objects that share these characteristics and/or abilities
Negative
Artificial Intelligence is…
TIME BOMB
Balanced
Artificial Intelligence is…
TOOL
Positive
Artificial Intelligence is…
KEY
Step 3 – Expand your metaphor. Think of verbs associated with the object you have chosen. How can you use these action words to describe Al and its use?
Negative
Artificial Intelligence is…
TIME BOMB
It might take decades but Al can eventually wipe out humanity.
Tech and military companies currently use Al to their advantage and hence, they will not cut its wires. But it is only a matter of time before Al’s intelligence overrides ours.
The clock is ticking and if its goals and ethics are incorrectly taught, Al can explode on us, causing mass destruction.
Balanced
Artificial Intelligence is…
TOOL
Al can help construct a safe online space.
Tech companies can use Al to build a “break your bubble” filter that offers us valid, alternative points of views. This helps weed out echo chambers and conspiracy theorists.
Positive
Artificial Intelligence is…
KEY
Al unlocks unprecedented levels of human discovery and progress.
With its speed and intelligence, Al grants us access to new scientific and technological frontiers. It opens the doors to new worlds – to uncharted space territories and even to a realm where ageing is cured.
If we can train Al to share our goals for a better humanity, Al can turn the lock to a a brighter future.
