The Implications of Recent Developments in Online Artificial Intelligence Apps for Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities

Abstract

The recent developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have produced varied types of global impact over the last year. In that context, one might ask the following questions: (a) why has AI become (bad) news so suddenly? (b) what is the prehistory of present concerns? By way of answering these questions, this essay will, first, discuss the various negative implications of AI and the spread of various applications that use AI for a variety of tasks and functions. It will then narrow its focus to address the more specific negative implications of AI as they are likely to affect Asia as a region with its own specific socio-economic and political matrix for its educational institutions. The focus narrows further to address the likely impact of AI on the Humanities. The third and final part of the essay stands back from the focus on education in Asia to look at two mitigating features of the case: (a) the various checks and balances that are currently being proposed globally regarding how the negative aspects of AI might be controlled, and (b) a consideration of the various ways in which developments in AI could benefit mankind, and more specifically, Humanities education in Asia. Moreover, the essay will also consider the ways in which AI applications are likely to play a central role in how we study, teach, learn, and work in the future. To take stock of what is just round the corner might prepare us better, as individuals, groups and institutions to work with and around rather than against the growth of AI. 

Spectrum, Volume 18, June 2023: 1-9