Should I be anxious about AI?

"Give it a few more years, and I can absolutely imagine a world in which a bot does my job just as well as I can."

Such is the anxiety faced by many workers, as reported by the BBC, as chatbots like ChatGPT, which launched in November, are grabbing the headlines.

In March a report by Goldman Sachs showed AI could eventually replace around 300 million jobs, and last year a workforce survey from PwC showed around 30 per cent of respondents were worried their job might be replaced by AI within three years.

There are also wider concerns about artificial intelligence. What are we to think, for example, of the reasons Geoffrey Hinton, the 'godfather' of AI, quit Google earlier this month, saying he now regrets his work and believes some of the dangers of the new chatbots are "quite scary"?

After decades of dystopian science fiction films, are we finally heading towards the sort of future predicted by Terminator and Blade Runner, or is the media just creating an AI storm out of nothing?

Reasons to be cheerful

Dr Paul Marsden, a member of BPS's Cyberpsychology committee, thinks there is every reason to be optimistic about the rise of artificial intelligence. As well as being a psychology lecturer and the host of the website digitalwellbeing.org, he's just completed a study on the public perceptions of AI and believes that the 'AI jobs armaggedon' and a 'robot takeover' are not only far-fetched, but out of step with how people actually feel.

"The main finding of my study, focused on generative artificial intelligence, is that people are generally positive about AI and its ability to help.

For example, my research showed that 49 per cent of people are interested in using AI tools to boost their own creativity, and 68 per cent believe that it will help humans become more creative generally.

As a positive psychologist, if people are anxious about AI, I would suggest they ask themselves whether their feelings are based on evidence or driven by media stories.

How many people do you know whose psychological or economic well-being has suffered directly because of AI? Are reports based on wild future predictions, or current facts? Try to balance or avoid catastrophizing and sensationalist media reports, and look for more balanced, fact-based perspectives.

Second, to the degree that AI represents an 'autonomy threat' to wellbeing - the fear that AI could take over or seize control - find ways to take back control by learning how to master the technology.

The latest AI tools are easy to use and offer exciting ways to boost your creativity, potential, and performance. Why not create an AI book club or organise AI creative sessions?

Vanquish your anxiety by becoming an AI expert among your friends or colleagues.  Above all, focus not on what AI might do to you, but on what you can do with AI."

Raising concerns

However, there are also experts who are urging AI caution. We spoke to Dr Dave Harley, Principal Lecturer in Psychology at Brighton University, and also a member of the BPS's Cyberpsychology committee, who has some serious concerns about the use of AI, both now and in the future.

"Machine learning approaches to computer intelligence are rapidly being applied in new areas, from job recruitment to the military, self-driving cars (and buses) to generating art.

These developments are often unregulated, and some of the major players have a dubious record when it comes to prioritising users' mental health. Can we trust big businesses to use AI ethically when their track record says they are more likely to optimise profit instead?

Anxiety about AI comes in many forms. Being replaced at work, losing autonomy over decision making as AI takes control, and the existential long term risk for humanity. And there are also practical concerns about learning to interact with it as it becomes part of our daily life.

There are also deeper trust issues too. How can we be sure of that which drives 'intelligent' action and interaction? How do we know it has our best interests at heart and is not driven by ulterior motives, for example driving advertising revenues?

Clearly it matters who is developing the AI and what its underlying purpose is. We should also be concerned about how AI will extend the reach of surveillance technologies, pushing its way into our most intimate spaces, and becoming privy to our most unguarded thoughts and experiences.

And perhaps that biggest existential concern of all, that AI will one day become truly conscious and that we will find it impossible to distinguish between this and our own human form of consciousness?

AI is not inherently something to fear. But it's becoming more and more important for us to understand how these technologies appear in our lives and whose agenda they are following. AI is programmed and trained by humans with human intentions, and this is how we should try to make sense of our anxieties.

We should also see the appearance of AI in our lives as an invitation to appreciate and explore the human experience of consciousness, with all its fallibilities, including that of being anxious."

The view from ChatGPT

Still confused? Why not ask a chatbot?

The meditation app Calm recently did just that, asking ChatGPT for its top tips on overcoming AI anxiety. Here are just a couple:

"Remember that AI is a tool, not a replacement for humans: While AI has the potential to automate certain tasks and even augment human capabilities, it's important to remember that it is still just a tool. AI cannot replace the unique skills and abilities that humans possess, such as creativity, empathy, and intuition."

"Stay adaptable. It's important to stay adaptable and flexible in the face of change. The rise of AI is just one of many technological advancements that will shape our future, and it's likely that new technologies will continue to emerge. By staying adaptable and open to new possibilities, you can better navigate the uncertainties of the future."