By now you have likely played around with artificial intelligence (AI) to some extent, and probably come away quite impressed by how quickly AI can problem solve (even if it’s not always perfect). In fact, AI is actually becoming more robust with every minute that passes, as increasingly more people use artificial intelligence each day, and AI becomes more robust as a result. While it is exciting to quickly gather information by these new means, it is equally important to use this new tool responsibly. Specifically, AI can generate a lot of information very quickly, but we need to know how to properly use the information we gather in order for the experience to be useful.
Applying critical thinking & objectivity
While AI can provide an amazing amount of information in relatively little time, it is ultimately what we do with the information that matters. For example, if you use AI today to help gather evidence to only support your position (confirmation bias), you might actually end up overlooking much more information that contradicts your position. Acquiring information is one thing, but being able to objectively weigh and apply information is an entirely different experience. What I mean by this is that information in the abstract is like a drawing without color — in order to gain a full picture, we need to understand nuance, context, opposing theories, and historical trends. When we only have raw data, we usually only have a small portion of the overall picture.
During my doctoral studies, in both research and clinical courses, I recall a heavy emphasis on ethics, and the importance of understanding the information you are reviewing. For example, we were taught the importance of not simply providing a raw IQ score to parents, but to help parents understand what their child’s score meant, how she compared to others, and the general range her score fell within compared to national standards. None of this information could be learned from just a simple number score, especially by parents with no training in psychology (hence the importance of understanding context).
Knowing how to use what we have is equally, if not more important, than simply finding information. For example, a mechanic’s toolbox is of little value to help fix your broken car if you do not know how the tools work. Similarly, if you do not understand computer coding, looking at code won’t help you figure out why your webpage keeps glitching. The point here, tying back to AI, is that while AI provides an amazing amount of information in relatively little time, the onus is on you to use the information responsibly. Information without additional instructions/insights might not only lead to frustration, but could even make your situation worse.
Final thoughts
As more people every day use AI, it is important to remember that complex life problems and issues are rarely solved by means of a quick AI query. While AI is terrific at quickly accumulating information and data, it is still up to the user to exercise discipline, and to use the information gained responsibly. Take the time needed to read from multiple sources, continue to rely on human experts, and regularly challenge your own assumptions in order to prosper in life. Artificial intelligence is here to stay, and will only become more omnipresent in the future, prompting all of us to use this new advance wisely and responsibly.
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