The AlphaZero algorithm, current champion of the chess world, was created at the end of 2017. Its authors taught him the rules of the game and little more, and soon put him to practice, playing against himself. Just nine hours later, he was ready to face the champion of the time, the Stockfish algorithm: in 100 matches, AlphaZero won 28 and drew the others.
In 2021, Impa (Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics) entered into a partnership with the company Dasa for the use of artificial intelligence in imaging diagnosis in fetal medicine. Using real data, our team developed and trained an algorithm capable of determining, with greater than 90% reliability, the amount of amniotic fluid, a crucial parameter for the development of the fetus. Now the company has a tool to provide, quickly and anywhere, an important service that previously required the work of a highly specialized professional.
The extraordinary progress of artificial intelligence made possible by advances in data science and information technology is revolutionizing the world we live in, with algorithms occupying more and more spaces previously reserved for humans. But this revolution also has a dark side, for artificial intelligences are not immune from the flaws we deplore in so many people.
In “Homo Deus”, writer Yuval Harari recounts the case of a capital company that has an algorithm called Vital as a member of its board of directors. The record of votes shows that Vital favors investments in companies that also have algorithms as advisers. It would be the first case in history of artificial nepotism!
We also know that algorithms trained in certain social media environments acquire extreme attitudes of prejudice, racism and even violence. This shouldn’t surprise us, but it is disappointing for someone like me who dreamed of the advent of intelligent machines with the potential to help improve the human species through their example.
The algorithms of our day are still far from self-awareness, which we associate with the idea of ​​intelligence, and they are not even better people than we are. But they are here to stay, and the world will never be the same again.
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