AI F4: Facts, fiction, fears and fantasies

Curated by Shimona Mohan and Sameer Patil

The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is redefining our daily lives, reshaping industries, and even how we build societies. In recent years, it’s become undeniable that AI can not only boost our human abilities but also help us tackle some of the biggest challenges we face. The possibilities seem endless, with applications thriving across fields. We are witnessing the use of AI to analyse images and text for data insights, optimise logistics, guide decision-making, power autonomous vehicles and drones, and even bolster cybersecurity. From agriculture and fintech to healthcare, manufacturing, and climate change, AI is delivering game-changing results in every corner. It has the potential to create a world that’s more sustainable, equitable, and connected than ever before.

However, this transformation is not without its pitfalls. AI raises serious ethical and societal concerns that demand careful policy attention and responsible action. In fact, with the increase in use cases and applications of AI globally, there has been a gradual momentum around rallying for responsible innovation ecosystems. The “AI F4: Facts, Fiction, Fears and Fantasies” series aims to demystify and decode AI and its seemingly limitless application potential across sectors, countries, and human imagination. By focusing on tangible facets of AI development and deployment and by characterising its trajectory realistically, it separates the hype and husk from an objective analysis of the technology and its implications. Essays in this series explore multiple and diverse dimensions of AI, from its military applications and functioning of large language models to implications for India and challenges of AI-powered content moderation.