In the age of AI

growth and spread of AI technology in an arms race between nations.

The world we live in is being rapidly changed by artificial intelligence (AI). AI is transforming how we work, live, and interact with one another, from chatbots and virtual assistants to selfdriving cars and medical diagnosis. In its most basic form, AI is a machine designed to carry out tasks by mimicking human intelligence. Large amounts of data can be processed effectively, and complex algorithms can be executed.

Moreover, we must start thinking about how to advance technologically relevant skills while also fostering more innately human abilities. Creativity, intuition, initiative, and critical thinking are all human traits that are unlikely to be replicated by robots anytime soon. We ought to already be considering how employers and employees alike can use robots to improve the work we do.

Simultaneously, it is a rapidly developing technology that could have a big impact on how wars are fought and how global security is maintained. AI systems can quickly and accurately process enormous amounts of data, which makes them useful for a variety of military applications like intelligence gathering, target identification, tracking, and logistics.

But there are also serious ethical and security issues with using AI in combat. AI systems may make decisions that are challenging for people to comprehend or anticipate, raising questions about their accountability. Concerns exist regarding the potential for AI to be employed for evil intent, such as the creation of autonomous weapon systems or cyber-attacks. Governments and international organizations must take into account the potential consequences of this technology and establish suitable rules and regulations to govern its use.

It is being used more and more in various military contexts, and its application to warfare has the potential to fundamentally alter the nature of the conflict. In military systems, AI can be applied to activities like target recognition, intelligence gathering, and self-decision-making.

Several issues regarding global security are brought up by the use of AI in warfare. Lethal autonomous weapon systems that could decide when to use force without human intervention could be developed and deployed using AI, which raises serious safety concerns. The loss of human control over the use of force that could result from this could have terrible repercussions.

Another concern is the potential for AI to be used to disrupt or hack into military systems, potentially causing confusion and chaos on the battlefield. Further destabilization of the global security environment could result from the

Therefore, international security could be affected by the use of AI in warfare, which has the potential to fundamentally alter how wars are fought. The risks and moral ramifications of AI in military settings must be carefully considered by policymakers, who should also work to create global standards and regulations that will control its application. Similarly to that, one of the biggest trends in AI is the widespread adoption of machine learning.

It’s a subset of artificial intelligence that gives computers the ability to learn from data and steadily improve their performance. Among the many applications of this technology, fraud detection and natural language processing (NLP) are just two examples. Predictive analytics to aid in disease prevention, expanded use of AI in the medical field, more precise diagnoses, and individualized treatment plans, are all made possible by the use of AI. Clinical trials, robotic surgery, and the development of new medications all make use of this technology.

A greater number of workplaces are also utilizing AI. Process automation increased productivity, and cost reduction is all achieved through the use of AI-powered tools and automation. Just a few sectors that employ this technology include transportation, manufacturing, and finance. even though AI is currently trending in a positive direction, there are worries about what this technology will mean for society in the future. One major concern is the potential impact on employment. There is a chance that many jobs will be automated as AI technology develops, which could result in job losses and unemployment.

The possibility of AI being used in ways that harm society is a further worry. There is a chance, for instance, that AI-driven weapons could be used to conduct autonomous warfare, which would have unintended consequences and cause humanitarian catastrophes.

Concerns exist regarding AI’s potential ethical ramifications. For instance, AI algorithms could produce unfair outcomes if they were biassed or discriminatory. Invasion of privacy, tracking of people, and behaviour manipulation are additional risks associated with AI.

AI is a disruptive technology that has the potential to completely change how we work, live, and interact with one another. Although there are many positive trends in AI right now, there are also many serious worries about what this technology will mean in the future. In order to ensure that AI is created and applied in ways that benefit society as a whole, it is crucial for decisionmakers, companies, and individuals to carefully consider these implications.

The writ is associated with the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and terweets at @hafiznadirali7 and can be reached at hafiznadirali7@gmail.com

The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), the party in power, is running away from an electoral contest as the margin of Ik’s lead is in the range of 40-50 percent which is out of reach of the manipulators. The PDM is in serious trouble. The ‘Genie of Corruption’ is out of the bottle and has failed to tarnish the image of the Kaptan. The personal financial honesty of IK is unquestionable. Toshakhana was a bad move and should have been avoided, but those who have been around in the capital understand the evil ways and influences, how traps are laid to undress the dressed with guiles and justifications like stretching the allowances and allocations.

Islamabad is a ‘Marshland’ where it is not easy to walk straight without slipping. After 75 years Pakistan has to come out of the marshes to build on solid foundations of honesty and integrity.

Abbasi Sahib also warned about the need for dialogue amongst the main political players (IK, Zardari, Nawaz, Fazal) to pull the country out of its marshes. every meeting must have a clear agenda. Corruption cannot be condoned under any circumstances. Recovery of the loot is never easy as greed takes over. After ten compromised elections, the way forward is free and fair elections to establish civilian supremacy. I am sure a meeting can be arranged to finalize the rules of the electoral contest but it cannot be held hostage to the pardon of Nawaz in the name of a level playing field.NS faces life disqualification by the highest court of the land. Only a constitutional amendment that limits the period of disqualification can revive his political career, otherwise he will be history.

Like General Musharraf only his burial will be possible in the land that he ruled three times through a rigged electoral process. IK is now unstoppable Zardari and his sponsors grossly miscalculated their chances. In the end the PML(N) will be the net loser.

The writer is ex-Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation. He can be contacted at: fmaliks@hotmail.com.

Editor’s mail

A case in favour of the NOTA option

MANy a democracy around the world gives voters the option to reject all candidates in case they do not want to vote for any of them. Indonesia and India are among the countries that give this ‘none of the above’ (NOTA) option to their citizens during elections.

In 2013, while hearing a petition, the Supreme Court of India declared that while casting vote is a democratic duty, rejecting any candidate is also a democratic right of the people. Therefore, in India, either on the ballot paper or through electronic voting machines, people have the NOTA option at their disposal. This in India is a success because people often use the said option more than in favour of any candidate. Interestingly, in Indonesia, candidates have to compete against the NOTA option even if they happen to be the lone contender in a constituency. This law in Indonesia was passed in 2016, and in 2018, during the election for a mayoral seat in Makassar city, the NOTA option got more votes than the lone ‘rival’. It was apparent that the public was not satisfied with that candidate, and, therefore, rejected him.

We must introduce the NOTA option in Pakistan which will give people a better way to express themselves, for they are currently forced to vote for one candidate or the other even when they do not wish to vote for any of them. They have to pick the ‘least desirable’ candidate, or, else, that their voting right might as well be used by somebody else. With NOTA as an option, we will have a fair idea of the popularity and sincerity of a candidate. In doing so, as people will have an opportunity to be a part of elections while having power and authority to reject all the candidates, giving the message that no one is popular, honest and sincere enough to merit a vote. This way, we will get a clear picture of where a candidate or political leader stands. This will also help us get rid of unscrupulous elements in national politics. We have frequently observed candidates winning by a margin of a few hundred votes even in their hometowns where thousands of people were registered as voters. This will no more be the case. Besides, the NOTA option will improve the voter turnout significantly as all elections in the country regard-less of the tier will become genuine platforms for precise expression of public sentiment.

G AKBAR PALIJO LARKANA

Multan misery

MuLTAN, the city of saints, recently had the looks of some occupied territory or at least a city under freshly-imposed emergency, with road blockades, police patrolling and snap checking becoming the order of the day. The clamour of sirens destroyed whatever peace was still left in the city. The reason? The Pakistan Super League (PSL) was in town. Owing to security concerns, all roads were blocked, educational institutions were shut down, and business activities were partially crippled by the relevant authorities. It is hard to think of a worse time to hold such an activity. The country is in the middle of a crisis that has many a crises woven into it. The worst hit were the daily-wagers who could not carry on their work owing to security restrictions that only caused nuisance and frustration in these challenging times. It would not be out of place to mention that Multan happens to be the most prominent hub of healthcare facilities in southern Punjab as all major hospitals of the region are located in the city. People from across the region come to Multan seeking medical treatment. All hospitals located in the ‘affected’ areas during the PSL remained out of reach for those poor souls as the roads leading to such healthcare facilities had been shut down. All this reflected poor management and strange priorities, for we organised a sports activity at the cost of people’s welfare and even their lives. Where are we headed? It would have been prudent had the relevant authorities made proper plan to avoid all the mess that disrupted life inside out in the city. We can only hope and pray that the relevant authorities will take into consideration all these issues while planning their next ‘mega event’.