Lori Dueck, Victoria, BC

Computers have been gradually dominating the world for decades. At first it was a fun new toy to experiment with, everything you needed instantly available to you. A phone call, a camera, a map or even a flashlight all in a small device, a computer, a cell phone or as small as a wrist watch.

However it is a double-edged sword becoming dangerous in the wrong hands. It can be used as help if you’re lost, a friendly ear to talk to or information without needing to search very far. It also can cause damage, in the hands of a predator, to help them steal, commit fraud or victimize others. (Just as I wrote this sentence my friend received an AI fraud call. I told him to hang up immediately. They get you to press one which gives them permission to find personal information about you to steal your identity or money).

I have watched it cause troubles for years. I truly have been extremely cautious with the safety of our devices and the fact we are tracked. I refuse to have Facebook, I try to have safe settings, yet they still know roughly my whereabouts, needs and habits sending me advertisements regarding what is going on with my life.

It is challenging to be in this world without AI as it is used constantly in our world today. It is difficult to talk with a human on a phone call with a company. I keep frantically pressing zero or telling the computer I just want to talk with a person. The AI they use seldom can solve my problem.

I have been told by companies in the past that I was wrong because their computer told them so. One example is a garbage company in Alberta kept missing my garbage. I would phone them to let them know. She argued with me that they took it. I had to tell her that her computer was wrong as I was right beside the garbage bin as we spoke and it was clearly still there. It was an ongoing battle with them many times.

AI is not an emotional being. It can tell us facts, whether right or wrong, however it is not sensitive to our needs or pain levels.

I believe we need to use AI cautiously. It has replaced people by medical advice, a lawyer by writing documentation and some students don’t do their own work as it can do the homework for them.

I am surprised when I try to use my cell phone to search for information about something these days. The first thing that pops up is AI then you can scroll down to see the actual sites. I tried looking up a poem to quote on Toastmasters, however instead AI wrote a poem on the subject. I see how someone could take credit for something they didn’t do.

Lately, I have heard about how much money has wrongfully been stolen from innocent people. They trick you into thinking it’s your bank as they can make it show up as your bank phone number, ask you for a code so they can now take money from your account or credit card. I personally know someone who had that happen recently. A bank or company will never call you and ask you for a code. Always hang up. If in doubt call or go into your bank.

Another form of AI that was shown to me is that someone can cause a video of someone who they never met and have it say their name and whatever else and it looks and sounds real. I can’t comprehend the level of AI in my brain as I dislike not being able to trust anyone or anything. However this is our situation in today’s society. We need to be careful.

I’m not totally against AI but I don’t believe it should be the only way. If I want to still do things the old fashioned way I think I should be able to. I think the amount of time on our devices is important as well. Even in safe environments we can be controlled by ignoring our loved ones, not getting exercise and fresh air. I think we need less AI and more social interaction for our spiritual, mental and physical health.