What is AI, how does it work and why are some people concerned about it?
Published
Based on the original story on bbc.co.uk.
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The script
Panel 1
Alex (excitedly) Sam (dryly)
Alex: Sam, have you heard about my latest AI invention? It can make coffee without me lifting a finger! No more burnt coffee for me, ever!
Sam: Alex, it can also wake up your neighbors at 6 AM for no reason. You should be more specific about what it can actually do.
Panel 2
Robin (laughing, waving a large paper airplane)
Robin: AI, huh? I just sent you a message, Alex. It’s a paper airplane. I don’t think it’s AI, but you should look into it, because it could be a message from the future.
Panel 3
Alex (confused) Sam (matter-of-factly) Robin (interrupting)
Alex: Sam, how does AI work? I mean, what’s it really doing? Isn’t it just processing data and making predictions based on past trends?
Sam: Kind of. It’s basically finding patterns in the data you feed it, making decisions based on those patterns, and predicting what might happen next. But the thing is, AI doesn’t understand context. It just sees patterns. And those patterns can sometimes lead to unintended consequences.
Robin: And just like how sometimes you get an email you didn’t expect, AI can get a prediction that you didn’t expect, like your neighbor deciding to launch a paper airplane at you out of the blue!