Fear has always accompanied technological change. When elevators first appeared, passengers demanded human operators.
The internet was once viewed as dangerous and internet bank transfers were seen as an open invitation to be ripped off.
Today, artificial intelligence (AI) and associated horror stories of disappearing jobs and driverless cars have become the latest targets of public anxiety.
Yet, beneath the fearmongering lies something good: AI is already improving our lives in ways many people scarcely notice.
The reality is that AI is helping doctors detect diseases earlier and link services; supporting teachers with personalised learning tools; assisting researchers in developing new devices and theories; and enabling businesses to work more efficiently.
Millions use AI every day. From language translation and navigation systems to fraud detection and accessibility tools for people with disabilities, AI is irrefutably a powerful force for good, yet so many cling to fear.
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Driverless cars are a case of skewed focus. Public debate zeroes in on the possibility of machine failure, but far less attention is given to the human errors such as fatigue, distraction or poor judgment that cause most road accidents.
We view these tragedies as regrettable but familiar, but when a machine makes a mistake, it violates our expectations of perfection.
Autonomous vehicles are being developed not because humans are poor drivers all the time, but because all people are imperfect drivers some of the time.
If AI can reduce even a portion of those mistakes, the result could be safer roads and fewer deaths. A win, surely?
Fear is a natural response to change, but should not be confused with foresight.
A useful question next to “What might go wrong?” is “But what might go right?”.
Every significant innovation carries challenges. History shows that public acceptance follows familiarity.
Few people today worry about automated train systems, aircraft autopilots or the complex algorithms that manage our financial transactions.
Fear is a useful warning signal, but it is a poor policymaker and the future of AI should be shaped by evidence, transparency and accountability, not public fear.
Rather than letting anxiety guide the conversation, we should approach AI with curiosity, caution and – dare I say it – optimism.
Dr Jane Stephens is a UniSC journalism lecturer, media commentator and writer.
