Why are people in general afraid of AI ?

Most of the people with whom I interact, express some irrational fear or disagreement when there is any discussion on AI. Perhaps if we are able to understand the basic reason for this fearm maybe we can tackle this better in the future and expect whole hearted contribution from all sections of society to the AI upheaval in society.

Some of the irrational or rational fears of people are due to the following reasons

• Lack of understanding: Many people may not fully understand how AI works, and the idea of machines that can think and make decisions on their own can be unsettling.
• Job loss: One concern is that AI could replace human workers in a wide range of industries, leading to job losses and economic instability.
• Control and autonomy: Some people may be worried about losing control over machines, or about the machines becoming autonomous in ways that we cannot predict or control.
• Superintelligence: There is a concern that if AI were to become superintelligent, it could outsmart humans and potentially pose a threat to our survival.
• Ethical concerns: There is concern about AI being used for unethical purposes, such as mass surveillance, targeted advertising, or even weaponized AI.
• Science fiction influences: Many people grew up reading, watching, or playing stories in which AI turns against humans, like Terminator, Matrix or Ex Machina, which can also be a driver in the fear of AI
• Lack of control: With AI systems making more and more decisions for us, some people may feel that they are losing control over their lives. This lack of control can be particularly concerning when it comes to decisions that have significant impacts on people's lives, such as healthcare or criminal justice.
• Safety concerns: Some people may be worried that AI systems will malfunction or be used in malicious ways, leading to accidents or harm to people. For example, autonomous weapons, self-driving cars, and drones, and other AI-controlled devices are raising concerns over safety, privacy, and security.
• Fear of the unknown: Many people may simply be afraid of something that they do not fully understand. The idea of machines that can think and make decisions like humans may be seen as unsettling or even creepy by some people, leading to fear and mistrust.
• Exaggerated expectations: The idea of AI as the ultimate solution for all problems is often portrayed in media and movies. It leads to an exaggeration of AI capabilities which can create unrealistic expectations, fear, and disappointment when the technology does not live up to the hype.

Major inputs from ChatGPT.