Human Intelligence & Artificial Intelligence: Two Stories Differently Written

You are travelling somewhere far and lose your way. You ask Siri or Google Assistance to show you the direction. And it complies with your instruction, only to show you the way, allowing you to reach your destination. Life has become easier with a virtual assistant (powered by artificial intelligence) at our disposal. However, can we yet replace humans with artificial intelligence? The answer to this question is quite tricky.

Google’s artificial intelligence DeepMind has reached new heights of success. Its algorithm can identify 50 eye diseases by scanning the retinal eye. And it is the accuracy that surprised trained doctors because it can actually prevent people from losing their eyesight. Going by the latest news, DeepMind has just taught itself to walk as well. These are pretty great achievements. But for who? Humans, who developed it? Or the AI that is constantly evolving to become better?

Ever since John McCarthy coined the term “Artificial Intelligence” in the 1950s, there has been a debate about who is better? But the fact is, humans cannot be compared with AI. Yes, the recent news showcases how AI is conquering different domains and how humans are at the risk of being overthrown by the artificial creatures, the truth is that each has its own advantage and disadvantage.

Human intelligence and Artificial intelligence are two different entities that narrate intertwined stories. Let us analyse each to understand this point better.

Artificial Intelligence Is Great At Solving Problems

An AI, no matter how developed it is, is not much different from a computer software. It is just a relay of circuits running at super fast speed. So, if you have to solve problems (but they should be in the right data set), AI is your go-to answer. An AI can compare data of numerous algorithms and come up with patterns and correlations that define the problems better. Be it image recognition or voice, be booking a table at the restaurant or fixing an appointment with the doctor, the AI is capable of handling such specific tasks. It is wired to do that.

However, Lacks Abstract Thinking

Now that is the point. While AI might be an expert at reading algorithms, when it comes to thinking abstract or using common sense, well, it falls behind. There have been numerous instances wherein AI models have failed spectacularly when presented with a problem outside their designated domain. For instance, web design. You can get the AI to put in the relay of data in, however, to place them correctly and appropriately, it needs human assistance.

Humans Are Bad At Processing Data

Okay, there is no denying this fact that humans can’t process data as efficiently as an AI. Yes, they might, but the entire process might take a lot of time. The chances of errors for humans are also high as compared to a computer. So, when it comes to processing data, humans are definitely inferior compared to the AI.

However, Nothing Beats Their Creativity and Abstract Thinking Abilities

Humans feel, experience, imagine, dream. They are living. The ability to think and subsequently take a decision is easier for humans. The species is responsible for discovering new things, for taking the planet forth. It is their innate ability to feel emotions that give humans the upper hand. They can go out of their ways to solve a problem; something that AI lacks significantly.

So, the point is, is it fair to compare human intelligence with artificial intelligence? They both have their own advantages and disadvantages. In fact, these two complement each other. Their stories might be different but it is tangled together. The shortcomings of humans are covered up by AI and vice versa. Hence, it can be fairly deduced that together, they can achieve feats otherwise unimaginable. If there is a future, it is built together.