There has been some polarising talk about AI in the news, online, in classrooms, even in staff meetings. For every positive gain in efficiencies, such as summarising documents and masses of data, generating fantastic imagery and slide decks, there seem to be troubling downsides with inaccuracies, hallucinations and environmental costs. I also saw in the news the growing number of hearings at the United States House Oversight Committee regarding irrefutable evidence of aviation technology not originating from earth. AI and aliens – what a time to be alive! This led me to think deeply on the times we live in, technological change, fact and science fiction, myths and reality, and the future of humanity. My mind soon wandered back to the timeless stories of Prometheus, Frankenstein, Icarus, Cassandra and Pandora. Stories such as these can act as mirrors or lenses for reflection. By applying these myths to our current AI developments, I discovered some surprising insights and thoughtful takeaways for businesses. Each of these five figures can represent a facet of AI’s development and impact. PROMETHEUS: THE GIFT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Prometheus, the Titan who stole fire from the gods to give to humanity, symbolises the origin of generative AI. The bold act of creating something powerful and transformative. Arguably, just as fire revolutionised early civilisation, AI has the potential to reshape industries, economies, societies and the role of work in human existence as we know it. For businesses, Prometheus could represent innovation and empowerment. AI can illuminate new paths in customer experience, logistics, and decision-making. But like fire, it must be handled with care, or its users will get burnt. Business Principle 1: Innovate boldly, but temper with responsibility from knowledgeable stewards. FRANKENSTEIN: THE ETHICS OF CREATION Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818) is a timeless modern myth. In the wellknown story, Dr Frankenstein creates life assembled from multiple body parts, but fails to take responsibility for 48 |
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