8 misleading AI myths — and the realities behind them Posted on : Jan 27 - 2020

With all of the hype around AI and machine learning come many factual inaccuracies. Let’s separate the truth from the fiction

Computer sentience has been fodder for Hollywood for decades. Usually it’s for the bad, whether it’s HAL in “2001: A Space Odyssey” or the T-800 in “Terminator.” Occasionally it’s been thoughtful, like Project 2501 in “Ghost in the Shell.” Whatever the plot, few themes elicit such fear and loathing as the robot armies and superintelligent computers we get from movies and TV.

The rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning over the last few years has not helped, and even people who should know better are giving in to fear. The fact is, much of the fear around AI comes from overactive imaginations that machines will mimic our own bad behavior.

Skynet aside, there are some rational questions and answers to be had. So let’s break down the myths and realities around AI and all of its offshoots, like machine learning and deep learning.

Myth: AI is going to take away jobs.

Reality: Mostly AI will change existing jobs and create new ones.

This is the single greatest fear, and it is legitimate. AI is being used to automate many boring, repetitive functions in areas as diverse as customer service, data center management, and radiology. Does that mean server admins are out of a job? No, it means they are free to work on more challenging tasks.

Some industries might be impacted and some workers may be displaced, but that has happened constantly and regularly. The industrial revolution of the late 1800s caused massive displacement. The car put the horse and buggy industry out of business. Early telephone calls could not be done without an operator, and AT&T had armies of them.

“What will happen to people whose jobs are replaced by AI? They move on to other jobs. We’ve done that through all of human history. That’s nothing new,” said David McCall, vice president of innovation for data center operator QTS.

“Based on all the work we’re doing with large companies, we’re seeing a displacement of lower level knowledge workers,” said Anthony DeLima, head of digital transformation and U.S. operations for Neoris, a digital business transformation accelerator. View More