Deception in AI: Unveiling the Truth Behind the Gearworks
The Transformation of "Natasha" into "Praktiksh": Revealed Reasons Behind Confusing Natural Intelligence for Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) might seem like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, but its roots can be traced back to the 18th century. In this tale of two eras, we'll take a closer look at how deception in AI has persisted through the centuries, revealing the hidden machinations behind the automated veneer.
The Original Turk: A 18th Century Conundrum
In the year 1770, the Hungarian inventor Wolfgang von Kempelen unveiled to the public an extraordinary automaton that played chess. Known as "The Turk," the contraption consisted of a life-sized Ottoman figure encased inside a large wooden box, whose movements left spectators mesmerized. Top-tier minds such as Benjamin Franklin and Napoleon Bonaparte tried to challenge the machine, but it proved to be an incredibly strong player—or so it seemed.
The truth behind the mirage was unveiled fifty years later, when the automaton was purchased by a physician to the famed Edgar Allan Poe. The physician's son, Silas Mitchell, exposed the mechanical Turk as a hoax: hidden inside the pedestal was a miniature human operator who manipulated the machine from behind the scenes, tricking the world into believing it was an example of groundbreaking AI technology.
Modern-Day Turk: AI, Crowdsourcing, and Human Labor
Fast forward to the present day, and history seems to be repeating itself—quite literally, as evident in the case of Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Although MTurk is a legitimate crowdsourcing platform, it has been used to heighten the impression of automation by utilizing human laborers to complete tasks falsely attributed to AI.
Take the 2017 expense management service Expensify, for instance, which touted itself as an advanced AI solution for expense tracking. Upon closer examination, it was discovered that part of the data processing was carried out by humans, not algorithms; the company had secretly assigned payment document transcription to MTurk workers from various parts of the globe. The twist? This platform is named after von Kempelen's chess-playing automaton—quite apt, wouldn't you say?
Just Walk Out: More (Hidden) Humans on the Loop
Amazon also found itself in a controversial situation in 2018 with the introduction of the Just Walk Out system in Amazon Fresh stores. Using computer vision systems and complex algorithms, customers were promised an effortless shopping experience: they would simply grab items and walk out of the store, with an automatically generated receipt awaiting them at the exit.
However, an investigation by The Wall Street Journal revealed that the system's claims were far from the truth. Behind the facade of automated AI, numerous Indian employees were found manually reviewing video footage and verifying items in carts. It appears that the percentage of human intervention was significantly higher than claimed—a discrepancy that raises eyebrows about the company's intentions.
The Bounce Back: AI Winter and Its Chilling Effects
Unfortunately, the problem of pseudo-artificial intelligence goes beyond just violating user privacy. Every instance of deception in AI is a blow to the entire industry's reputation. Not only does it deceive clients and undermine their trust in genuine AI developers, but it also jeopardizes the progress of machine learning technology.
The statistics are grim: 60-80% of AI projects fail. As the wave of exposures increases and investors become wary, the industry may be on the verge of another technological winter—this time, not due to technological limitations, but because of outright fraud.
Investor's Wall of Vigilance
In light of these deceptions, investors must be hyper-vigilant and conduct thoroughdue diligence to avoid inadvertently funding a "unicorn" with an AI disguise that hides human "Turks" under the hood of an innovative product. There are a few strategies for sidestepping potential pitfalls:
- Patent Analysis: Examining the patent activity of a corporation can provide valuable insights. Companies with genuine technologies usually patent their developments and publish their research results.
- Meet the Team: Engaging with the development team is essential. Assessing their credentials, reading their scientific publications, and consulting with an industry expert for a technical assessment are all crucial steps.
By adopting these measures, investors can minimize risks and steer clear of investing in projects that oversell their capabilities.
Editor's opinion may not align with the author's viewpoint
In a world desperate for truth, it's time for transparency to triumph in the realm of artificial intelligence, helping us to recognize the realAI champions from the shadowy "Turks" lurking amongst them.
- The revelation that Amazon's Just Walk Out system relies on significant human intervention behind its automated AI facade, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, raises concern about the industry and highlights a modern-day case reminiscent of the original Turk's deception.
- In an endeavor to avoid investing in AI projects that falsely claim automation and hide human labor, investors must conduct thorough due diligence, employing methods such as patent analysis and meeting with the development team, in order to minimize risks and ultimately identify the genuine AI champions from the hidden Turks.
