TRENDS STUDY Reviews the Challenges of Artificial Intelligence and calls for Global Regulation of the Booming Technology

Trends for Research and Advisory has released a research paper entitled "Artificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe", which focuses on the potential risks of artificial intelligence tools, and the regulations required to control this technology before it is too late.

The paper was prepared by Prof. Ahmed Khamis Khalil Al-Janabi who explained that artificial intelligence is one of the most important changes that transforms every walk of life and captured the attention of researchers. It is a product of intelligent systems that display human-like capabilities such as reasoning, learning and understanding. It is also a form of intelligent computing, because it uses computer software, that can sense, think, learn and mimic human behavior.

The study indicated that artificial intelligence technology mainly aims to protect humans and preserve lives, saves time and effort and convert primary information into valuable knowledge. It guides humanity towards new horizons of discoveries, delivers tasks in a short time span. Artificial Intelligence tools are flexibile and easy to use in the field. They have the ability to work in dangerous situations and achieve good investment returns.

The Study indicated that it is possible to distinguish between three types of artificial intelligence (AI): narrow or weak AI, general or strong AI, and artificial super intelligence. The specialist tools are systems that can carry out specific tasks. General artificial intelligence can work with a capacity similar to the capability of a human being in terms of thinking. The last type is the super artificial intelligence, which may exceed the level of human intelligence and can deliver tasks better than a specialized human. This type has many characteristics that it must include, such as the ability to learn, plan, communicate spontaneously and make judgments.

The paper explained that artificial intelligence raises many security and moral risks and threats in the event of increased reliance on it in human life. The huge output of AI applications is a prelude to a soft war between machine and humans.

The paper explained that the resignation of Jeffrey Hinton, who is called the "godfather of artificial intelligence" from Google in early May 2023 is a wake-up call that alerts us in Arab countries and beyond to the kind of risks related to artificial intelligence.

The paper stressed that artificial intelligence has become a reality and we should address its challenges by a team of Arab scientists specialized in artificial intelligence technology. The author stressed that it is time to conduct more research on the risks and challenges of artificial intelligence technologies and cyberattacks. We should also draw the attention of the international community to the urgent need for developing a unified legal framework to regulate the use of these technologies and to decide on enforcing appropriate sanctions in case of misuse.