Two Years Already. In November 2024, ChatGPT will celebrate its second birthday. As this anniversary approaches, many questions arise: What are the ethical implications of AI? Are humans using it responsibly? Has AI corrupted modern man? What are the consequences of this technology on the environment, public health, society…?

Artificial intelligence, once confined to research labs, novels, and science-fiction films, is now accessible to everyone. Claude, Gemini, Bard, Aria, Copilot…

The proliferation of these technologies has transformed our daily lives. I still remember a question my colleague, Sandra Noujeim, asked me in November 2022: “You, who know so much about science, do you think ChatGPT will ever replace us (journalists, ed.)?” I was taken aback. I feared giving an inaccurate answer out of concern for precision. Not having an opinion, while being the science writing specialist, was out of the question.

After a few seconds of thought, the answer became clear: “Honestly, I don’t think so. Because to generate its responses, GPT will always need a database and it’s us who create that database.” A few weeks later, press articles analyzing ChatGPT began to multiply. I realized my reasoning was sound. Today, dear Sandra, we use AI for everything, often without much thought: writing emails, translating texts, for some, even doing homework…

What is certain is that artificial intelligence can never replace our work of analysis, deduction, and interpreting real-life events. On the contrary, this technology feeds on our work and articles in order to generate its texts mechanically written. It is also clear that this technological revolution is not without consequences.

Ethical Stakes
The ethical implications of AI have become all the more pressing since a robot “committed suicide” recently in South Korea. This event raises profound questions about the relationship between humans and machines. Can we conceive of non-human entities experiencing emotions or states of distress to the point of taking such an action?

The incident highlights the risks of anthropomorphism and underscores the urgency of developing robust ethical frameworks for the design and use of AI. Admittedly, the idea of a robot capable of learning everything, with access to all the knowledge in the world and the ability to deviate from its initial programming, is frightening! Who doesn’t recall science-fiction films where robots learn to feel emotions and eventually rebel against humans? AI also poses significant challenges in terms of privacy and security. AI systems collect, analyze, and utilize massive amounts of personal data. This capability can be exploited for malicious purposes, such as mass surveillance or information manipulation.

Environmental Impact
The explosion of AI use and growing demand pose major environmental challenges. Google, for instance, has increased its carbon dioxide emissions by 50% due to the rising demand for AI. The data centers required to run AI consume enormous amounts of energy, contributing to climate change.

Moreover, an optimal AI experience requires fast internet, which means energy-intensive infrastructure to ensure high-speed connections. Add to this the deployment of 5G networks, which generate tons of waste from obsolete antennas that are rarely recycled.

This reality calls into question the sustainability of technological advances and highlights the need to adopt more environmentally responsible practices. It also underscores the importance of accompanying every scientific discovery with rigorous philosophical reflection to consider all its implications.

Responsible Use of AI
When it comes to whether humans make good use of AI, the answer is nuanced. AI offers unprecedented opportunities in fields such as medicine, education, and the fight against climate change. However, its use must be guided by strong ethical principles and careful consideration of long-term consequences. It is crucial to promote responsible AI usage that respects human rights and minimizes environmental impact. Researchers, businesses, and policymakers must collaborate to establish regulations and ethical standards adapted to the rapid evolution of this technology.

AI has the potential to transform society positively but this transformation must not come at the expense of our humanity or our planet. The challenge is to strike a balance between innovation and responsibility, ensuring that AI truly serves the common good.