Note: This story originally aired on KTVE on Oct. 16, 2024.
By Haylee Hines

Is artificial intelligence better known as AI a tool that is used in your daily life or is it something that you keep your distance from? Is the technology tool considered good or bad? Is it something that could impact job security in the future?

The questions above are all concerns that come with the quickly progressing advancements of AI. The technology tool that has become more readily available over time is the cause for concern for some whereas others utilize the tool to make tasks easier and more efficient. KTVE/KARD spoke to a professor at Louisiana Tech University to get his insight on the use of AI.

“It’s only by using it that we start finding out where the problems, where does it not work the way that we need it to work. AI is not really focused on being the necessarily best in all applications but the combination of human beings and artificial intelligence together is where you always will probably get a winning solution,” said Eric Sutherland, Lecturer of Computer Information Systems at Louisiana Tech.

Sutherland also discussed that a common misconception about the use of AI is that the tool will take away jobs from humans, but mentioned that the statement is not an accurate assumption. His perspective was that AI will change the workforce and those in it will have to adjust to working alongside the technology.

Understanding artificial intelligence is the key to knowing how to properly use the technology and one way to do this is by going to the source itself. Using a popular AI platform, ChatGPT, a definition of the technology tool was generated after asking, “What is AI?” ChatGPT responded to the question by describing AI as “the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn.”

Another aspect of Artificial Intelligence is the more prominent use of it and the option to develop a personal opinion on whether the tool plays a positive or negative role in society. KTVE/KARD spoke with residents of the Ark-La-Miss about their opinions on AI.

“I think AI can be a really cool tool for us to use in both in our professional lives and our daily lives. I definitely feel a little uneasy about it at times but I do also believe that we’ll be able to use it as leverage to kind of help our lives.” – Tanner James

“I’m not a fan of AI. I think it’s just getting a little bit too personal. I mean we already don’t have a whole lot of privacy with what we do with our technology, our cell phones, and such. It is scary far as where it’s going cause you just wonder what’s next.” – Dajuana Johnson

The key takeaway from diving into the use of artificial intelligence is that the technology tool can be a great addition to various aspects of life but must be paired with critical thinking and ethics to create the most positive outcome.