Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not a neutral technology. It is made by powerful political and business groups. It can increase inequalities in society, but it can also give great benefits. Today, a few powerful countries and big companies control most of the computers and software for AI. Meanwhile, ordinary people face problems like losing jobs, unfair digital treatment, and damage to the environment.
The use of AI causes big environmental and social problems. Rich countries use AI to automate work, make more goods, and lower worker costs. However, AI data centres use a lot of electricity and water. These centres are often built near poor communities that cannot protect their local resources. Also, many people lose jobs to AI, while small languages, local customs, and non-Western ideas are often missing from AI search results.
Algorithmic discrimination happens when a computer program treats people unfairly because of their race, gender, money, or background. This happens because the AI learned from incomplete or unfair information. As a result, the program makes bad decisions, like saying no to someone for a job, a school course, a bank loan, or medical help because of who they are.
Kenji's story: Kenji is 28 years old and works as a skilled software developer. He applied for jobs at big tech companies. An automated AI hiring tool rejected his application in a few seconds before any human looked at it. The AI learned from old hiring data, so it prefers people from expensive private universities. This unfairly stops qualified people like Kenji from getting a job.
Natasha's story: Natasha is 42 years old and lives in a small town. A tech company built a huge AI data centre near her home. The facility runs big computers day and night, using millions of litres of local water for cooling. In the hot summer, her town has strict water limits and higher electricity costs because of the AI centre.
Saki's story: Saki is 19 years old. She had to write a short report about a social issue for her class. Because she was busy, she used an AI tool to write some parts. When her teacher asked her to explain her ideas, Saki could not speak. She realised she could not explain the topic in her own words or answer questions because the computer did the thinking for her.
Lack of popular control: Decisions about making and using AI are made by a few big tech companies and political leaders. Normal people and local communities rarely get a vote or say about how AI affects their lives, work, or public services.
AI in education: AI is changing how people learn and teach, bringing benefits and big challenges. AI can work as a personal tutor for any topic. It can explain hard math problems step-by-step, summarise complex ideas, give quick feedback on homework, and help teachers make learning materials. However, there are major risks. If students use AI too much, they may stop thinking critically and lose problem-solving skills like explaining ideas in their own words. Also, teachers struggle to know if a student really understands a topic.
Misinformation and deepfakes: It is very easy to create fake images, voices, and news stories. These fake files spread fast on social media. This makes it hard to know what is real, tricks people during elections, and destroys trust in news, politicians, and facts.
Privacy and copyright violations: AI models learn by reading a lot of personal data, artwork, and private writing online. Companies rarely ask for permission or pay the creators, which breaks privacy rules and takes artists' work without pay.
Automated warfare: Armies now use AI in weapons, like self-flying attack drones. This causes big moral problems because computer programs, not humans with feelings, make life-or-death decisions in war.
Loss of human control: Many experts worry that advanced AI could start improving itself without human help. Without strong safety rules, the fast growth of AI technology may make it impossible for humans to stop or control these systems.