In this series, you can ask questions and clarify your doubts. The expert team from INDIAai will answer your questions.

Send your questions to askindiaai@mail.nasscom.in. 

Can AI ever achieve consciousness or self-awareness? - Rheema Rosine, Student, Chennai

Whether AI can achieve consciousness or self-awareness remains a profound philosophical and scientific question. While AI has made remarkable strides, it currently operates on algorithms and data, lacking the biological substrate and experiential foundation necessary for consciousness as we understand it.

How safe is relying on AI for critical decisions, like medical diagnoses or financial investments? - Jashiel John, Researcher, Hyderabad

Relying solely on AI for critical decisions such as medical diagnoses or financial investments presents significant risks due to potential biases, errors, and lack of transparency. Human oversight and judgment remain essential for ensuring safe and ethical outcomes. 

Can AI truly understand and replicate human creativity? - Alice Amudha, School teacher, Mumbai

While AI can generate impressive creative outputs, it lacks the proper understanding and emotional depth inherent in human creativity. AI's ability is limited to pattern recognition and manipulation, falling short of replicating the complex cognitive processes underpinning human originality and innovation.

How can AI help address global challenges like climate change or healthcare access? - Bommu Kutta, House wife, Delhi

AI can address global challenges like climate change by optimizing energy consumption, predicting environmental changes, and enhancing renewable energy technologies. In healthcare, AI can improve access by providing accurate diagnostics, personalized treatment plans, and remote monitoring, thus reaching underserved populations. Additionally, AI can streamline research and data analysis, accelerating solutions to these critical issues.

What is the future of human-AI interaction, and will we ever see AI that can form genuine relationships with humans? - Mariyamman V, Security officer, Trichy

The future of human-AI interaction is poised for profound transformation. We anticipate AI becoming increasingly integrated into our lives as intelligent assistants, collaborators, and companions. It could lead to more efficient, personalized, and augmented human experiences.

However, forming genuine relationships with AI raises complex ethical and philosophical questions. While AI can simulate emotional responses and learn from human interactions, true empathy, understanding, and consciousness remain elusive. The development of AI capable of forming deep, reciprocal bonds with humans is a distant prospect if achievable.

Ultimately, the nature of our relationship with AI will depend on how we choose to develop and deploy this technology. It is crucial to prioritize ethical considerations, transparency, and human control to ensure a beneficial and harmonious coexistence.

Image source: Unsplash