The year AI took centrestage
Financial Express Chennai|December 24, 2024
The debate if it is a blessing or a Frankenstein rages on
RISHI RAJ

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO, the fear of the Y2K bug had gripped the world and India was no exception. The fear was that computers would crash when the year 1999 ended due to a misunderstanding of how years were stored. Computers were programmed to store two digits for the year, so a year written as 00 could be read as 1900 instead of 2000. It proved to be a false alarm, but 2000 became a turning point for India's IT industry.

Come 2024, and people were quite similarly engrossed with the fear of artificial intelligence (AI). True, the technology has the potential to reshape virtually every aspect of human life. From healthcare and education to manufacturing, logistics, and even entertainment, this emerging technology is revolutionising industries, improving efficiencies, and opening up new possibilities. Then why the fear? This is because it's the first technology in history which has the potential to get out of human control. The debate that dominated conversations during 2024 and will continue to do so in subsequent years is: Is AI a blessing for mankind, or will it turn out to be a Frankenstein? This was best summarised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he pointed out that global security will face a big threat if AI-laced weapons were to reach terrorist organisations.

This story is from the December 24, 2024 edition of Financial Express Chennai.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 24, 2024 edition of Financial Express Chennai.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM FINANCIAL EXPRESS CHENNAIView All
Financial Express Chennai

These Men in Blue break boundaries for the disabled

ON JANUARY 7 this year, a 17-member Indian cricket team was given a warm send-off for a four-nation Champion Trophy tournament in Sri Lanka.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Chennai

Reliance steps up distribution push as FMCG vertical grows

THE FAST-MOVING CONSUMER goods (FMCG) arm of Reliance, which has touched ₹8,000 crore in topline for the first nine months of FY25, will expand distribution in north and west India, sources have told FE.

time-read
1 min  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Chennai

Comfortable design for 24/7 wear

It tracks fitness, sleep, stress & other key health vitals

time-read
2 mins  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Chennai

India-Oman FTA talks nearing completion

INDIA NOT SEEKING DUTY CONCESSIONS ON LIQUOR, CIGARETTES

time-read
1 min  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Chennai

The promise and perils of agentic AI

Guardrails are needed for its safe and responsible use

time-read
2 mins  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Chennai

Kotak Mahindra Bank expects NIM to improve

FRESH SLIPPAGES IN Q3 DECLINE

time-read
1 min  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Chennai

Trade Partner Or Adversary?

India must think beyond China-Plus-One strategy as the world trade order is rapidly changing

time-read
2 mins  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Chennai

Protesters storm court after it extends Yoon's detention

HUNDREDS OF SUPPORTERS of South Korea's arrested president, Yoon Suk Yeol, stormed a court building early on Sunday after his detention was extended, smashing windows and breaking inside, an attack the country's acting leader called \"unimaginable\".

time-read
1 min  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Chennai

Railways capital expenditure for FY26 may be pegged at ₹2.9L crore

\"THE RAILWAYS IS working on multiple fronts which require significant capital expenditure from the government.

time-read
1 min  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Chennai

Davos Turns Into Fortress

GIVEN THE HIGH-profile nature of the event, beginning Monday, the security is both discreet and visible and comprises snipers, drone jammers, regular frisking and checking and round-the-clock patrol.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 20, 2025