An AI Career Begins

by HarryT

In his spare time, Jason, a high school senior, loved to meander through the aisles of his favorite used bookshop, Books Redux. Loving the smell of old printed pages and leather bindings, he often visited the store. As Jason’s eyes scanned the spines of the many books, suddenly his eyes froze on a book titled The Wonders and Dangers of Artificial Intelligence, by Dr. Eric Hamilton. Lifting the book from the shelf, he opened it to the title page, where the publication date read January 7, 2021.

Intrigued, Jason read. The pages described astonishing advancements AI will soon achieve. Hamilton wrote of industrial advances using robots and using robots to improve surgery and healthcare. The author wrote of AI-driven discoveries that could save countless lives, and AI had the potential to reshape the future in unimaginable ways. Jason, mesmerized, sat on the floor and continued reading, feeling a sense of awe at the possibilities Dr. Hamilton laid before him.

However, half-way through the book, hairs stood up on the back of Jason's neck. Hamilton alluded to pending ethical dilemmas regarding creative work and additional potential hazards of AI may harbor. AI systems could be exposed to misinformation and make suggestions based upon inaccurate or biased decisions favored by unscrupulous players. And, with the proliferation of AI enhanced robots, the fear of lost jobs, especially among blue-collar workers, would rise. Hamilton's greater fear is that the machines operate without human control. The author warned of a future where, if unchecked, AI could generate a plethora of unintended consequences.

Heart racing with a mix of excitement and trepidation, Jason realized AI was a double-edged sword, capable of both tremendous good and grave harm. He decided at that moment. In college, he would major in computer science with a focus on artificial intelligence. He immersed himself in the AI revolution.

Being an excellent student, with a high SAT score, he was able to gain entrance to Stanford University, where he enrolled in the data science curriculum. Algorithms, data structures, and machine learning filled his days. The coursework was hard. And he spent countless hours coding, experimenting, and collaborating with like-minded students. He drove himself to excel. Professors caution him to be sure he paid attention to ethical considerations that may appear.

Since first reading, Jason envisioned AI as a tool for promoting social well-being. He and several other students got permission to work on developing AI systems to improve accessibility for people with disabilities and addressing climate concerns. Both projects reinforced his belief that AI could be a potent force for positive change.

Because of his determined effort, his professors included him when the university AI team that met with industrial leaders. His senior thesis encouraged the importance of transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in AI research. His thesis concluded that in order to benefit all humanity, bias in research and application had to be eliminated.

His impressive work at Stanford earned him a scholarship to MIT, where he completed a master’s degree in AI applications. He continued working to ensure AI applications always adhered to ethical standards. He knew from Dr. Hamilton’s book that if evil people obtained the use of AI technology, horrible things could happen.

By 2025, not yet possessing a Ph.D., Jason still had become a prominent figure in the AI community. His vision of a future had garnered widespread support among scientists of good will. He often returned to Dr. Hamilton’s book that he found in the Books Redux, his favorite used bookstore. Dr. Hamilton's thoughts continued to guide him with a sense of purpose, responsibility, and wary fear.

When he stepped from the stage after receiving a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Artificial Intelligence, he felt a deep sense of fulfillment. He knew that the future of AI was still unfolding. He intended to supply a watchful, ethical eye over AI development. Five years later, Jason was Department Head at Stanford University. His continued goal was to ensure that the story of AI would be one of hope and continued ethical progress. His primary goal continued to be making life better for all mankind.

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Story of an ambition to guide AI for good.

An AI Career Begins

by HarryT

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