The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has been a topic of debate regarding its potential to dehumanize and pose a threat to humanity. While there are valid concerns about the ethical implications of AI, it is essential to consider both the positive and negative aspects of AI technology.
One argument against AI is that its increasing presence in various aspects of society may lead to dehumanization by replacing human jobs and interactions with automated systems. For example, the automation of certain tasks may lead to job displacement, impacting the livelihoods of individuals. Additionally, the reliance on AI for decision-making in critical areas such as healthcare or criminal justice raises concerns about accountability and transparency, potentially dehumanizing the decision-making process.
Moreover, the use of AI in surveillance and monitoring systems can infringe on privacy rights and raise concerns about mass surveillance, leading to a sense of loss of autonomy and human agency. The potential for AI to perpetuate biases present in data sets used for training algorithms also poses a threat to diversity and inclusivity, further exacerbating societal inequalities.
On the other hand, proponents of AI argue that when used responsibly, AI can enhance human capabilities and improve efficiency in various domains. For instance, AI technologies can assist in healthcare by analyzing medical data to identify potential diseases early, leading to better treatment outcomes. In the business sector, AI can optimize operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive innovation, ultimately benefiting both businesses and consumers.
AI has the potential to tackle complex challenges such as climate change, resource management, supply chain management and public health by processing large amounts of data and generating insights that would be challenging for humans to achieve alone. The development of AI systems that prioritize ethical considerations, transparency, and fairness can mitigate the risks associated with AI dehumanization and ensure that AI technologies align with human values and goals.
While the use of artificial intelligence raises valid concerns about dehumanization and threats to humanity, it is essential to approach AI technology with a balanced perspective. By addressing ethical considerations, promoting transparency, and fostering responsible AI development, Nigeria can harness the benefits of AI while mitigating potential risks. Ultimately, the responsible and ethical use of AI can complement human abilities, drive innovation, and create a more sustainable future for humanity.
Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize human creativity by enhancing and augmenting our creative abilities in various fields. While some may view AI as a threat to human creativity, it can actually serve as a powerful tool to inspire, collaborate, and push the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of creativity.
One way AI can improve human creativity is by assisting in the generation of new ideas and concepts. AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and generate novel solutions to complex problems. For example, in the field of art and design, AI-powered tools can help artists explore new artistic styles, generate unique compositions, and experiment with innovative techniques that may not have been considered before.
Moreover, AI can serve as a valuable collaborator for creatives, providing feedback, suggestions, and insights to enhance the creative process. By leveraging AI-powered tools for tasks such as brainstorming, ideation, and content creation, artists, writers, musicians, and designers can benefit from fresh perspectives and generate more diverse and compelling work.
Additionally, AI can streamline repetitive tasks and free up time for creatives to focus on higher-level creative thinking. For instance, AI can be used to automate routine tasks like data processing, editing, or formatting, allowing creatives to allocate more time and energy to ideation, experimentation, and refining their creative output.
Furthermore, AI technologies such as machine learning and natural language processing can be used to analyze audience preferences, trends, and feedback, enabling creatives to tailor their work to resonate more effectively with their target audience. By leveraging AI-driven insights, creatives can make data-informed decisions that enhance the impact and reach of their creative endeavors.
One critical rhetorical question that raises some concerns is if AI can be used in place of actors in the creative Nollywood movies industry by replicating actors and thereby reducing cost to the bottom line of the industry?
The Nigerian film industry, is renowned for its vibrant storytelling and creative output. And the industry has emerged as one of the greatest sources of internally generated revenue to the government through taxes and creating employment along the entire value chain of the industry in the country.
Another school of thoughts, mainly within the ranks of AI enthusiasts, believe that the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the acting and creative processes of Nollywood movies has the potential to revolutionize the industry by offering new possibilities for storytelling, production efficiency, and cost savings. While AI can be utilized to replicate actors and reduce production costs, there are ethical considerations and artistic implications that must be carefully considered.
One way AI can be used in the Nollywood industry is through the creation of virtual actors or digital avatars. By leveraging AI technologies such as deep learning and computer-generated imagery (CGI), filmmakers can generate realistic digital replicas of actors for use in scenes that require complex stunts, special effects, or risky sequences. This can help reduce production costs by minimizing the need for expensive physical sets, props, and on-location shoots.
Moreover, AI-powered virtual actors can be employed to portray characters that require specific physical attributes or performances that may be challenging for human actors to embody. This opens up new possibilities for storytelling and character development, allowing filmmakers to explore diverse narratives and visual styles that may not have been feasible with traditional casting methods.
Additionally, AI can be used to streamline the post-production process by automating tasks such as video editing, color grading, and visual effects compositing. By leveraging AI-driven tools for post-production tasks, filmmakers can expedite the editing process, enhance visual quality, and optimize resource utilization, ultimately leading to cost savings and improved production efficiency.
However, while the use of AI in replicating actors can offer practical benefits in terms of cost reduction and production efficiency, there are ethical and artistic considerations to take into account. The ethical implications of using AI to replicate actors raise questions about consent, privacy, and the authenticity of performances. Filmmakers must ensure that the use of AI in creating virtual actors is done ethically and transparently, respecting the rights and intentions of the original actors.
Furthermore, the artistic integrity of Nollywood movies may be impacted by the reliance on AI-generated actors, as human performances and emotions are central to the authenticity and relatability of storytelling. While AI can enhance visual effects and technical aspects of filmmaking, it is crucial for filmmakers to balance technological innovation with the emotive power and human connection that actors bring to their roles.
Finally, drawing a nexus from Tyler Perry’s planned $800 million studio expansion in Atlanta which the artist put on hold due to his growing concerns over developments in artificial intelligence.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter published recently, Perry expressed a need for the industry to get ahead of AI’s potential impact, saying, “There’s got to be some sort of regulations in order to protect us. If not, I just don’t see how we survive.”
AI is clearly moving like an unstoppable train that would change the landscape of how things are done with a technological disruption of unimaginable proportions all over the world. Nigeria must now seize the initiative to invest and imbibe the reality of the inevitable AI technology.
There does not seem to be any choice other than to heed the old saying that: “If you can’t beat them, you join them”.
But I must caution that we should not jump into the implementation of AI in our businesses without carrying out a thorough analysis on overall impact of the technology and how the country can optimize the adoption of the use of AI in our healthcare, education, agriculture and food security, fight against militant insurgence, insecurity and to curb corruption.
NB: Sonny Iroche is a 2022/2023 Senior Academic Visitor at the African Studies Centre of the University of Oxford, And a Post Graduate Student in Artificial AI For Business at the Saïd Business School of the University of Oxford. UK
