Opinion | How to combat real-world stupidity over artificial intelligence

There is much talk about artificial intelligence (AI) and barely a day goes by without a mention of the most recent developments and opportunities – as well as the risks – that it offers in everyday life.

According to Fortune Business Insights, the global AI market was valued at US$515.3 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from US$621.2 billion in 2024 to US$2.7 trillion by 2032. Without a doubt, the speed of data processing enabled by AI has created many benefits, such as convenience and accessibility to services and goods.

However, the down side to all this is a by-product of AI, namely “artificial stupidity”. Our overreliance on digital technology has now rendered our brains almost redundant and our lives characterised by antisocial norms and parlous decision-making.

Today, we conduct much of our life online. We buy and sell goods online. Many of us would find it hard to exist without an online bank account. This means we can veer towards poor judgment in our choices.

In 2022, Hong Kong reported around 28,000 scams involving financial fraud. It is difficult to verify authenticity online, and there are unscrupulous predators who prey on the vulnerable. But that is not to say vulnerability is limited to individuals – corporations are equally exposed.