news 
The Year Of AI And Tech Troubles: 2024’s Most Notable Failures
As we close the book on 2024, it’s clear that the year has been marked by significant advancements in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology. However, this progress has not come without its share of failures and controversies.
One of the most notable incidents was the widespread disruption caused by a bad software update from CrowdStrike, which resulted in Delta Air Lines canceling over 7,000 flights. This catastrophic failure highlights the importance of rigorous testing and quality assurance to prevent such events in the future.
Another AI-related fiasco came to light when Apple’s generative AI features in iOS 18 were found to be prone to generating false headlines. The technology had previously provided an erroneous notification about a sensitive news story related to the former United Healthcare CEO, while also spreading misinformation about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in November. These incidents have raised concerns about the reliability of AI-generated content and the need for robust testing and validation.
Furthermore, there were numerous instances where AI was used to provide bad legal advice or incorrect information. A Canadian lawyer, Chong Ke, turned to ChatGPT for help with a client’s query but received completely made-up court cases in response. Unfortunately, Ke did not fact-check the information and was subsequently forced to pay the opposing counsel’s research costs, emphasizing the need for ‘Human in the Loop’ and fact-checking for any AI-generated content.
The proliferation of AI-generated content has also become a major concern. Research suggests that nearly 57% of online content is now created or processed through AI translation algorithms. This phenomenon, referred to as “AI slop,” often lacks accuracy, context, and ethics. Moreover, its increasingly sophisticated nature can make it difficult for users to distinguish from human-generated content, with an alarming 65.8% of people believing AI content matches or exceeds average human writing quality.
These failures demonstrate the importance of prioritizing reliability, accuracy, and inclusivity in the development of emerging technologies. It’s crucial that we invest in diverse and representative training data, conduct rigorous testing and quality assurance, and be transparent about the limitations and potential biases of AI-generated content.
As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, it’s essential to learn from these mistakes and ensure that the benefits of emerging technologies are realized while minimizing the risks and negative consequences. Only by prioritizing accuracy and inclusivity can we unlock the full potential of technology to drive progress, improve lives, and create a better future for all.
Sources:
Source: www.forbes.com
