Content Menu
Is AI really a danger? Fear, Hype and Artificial Intelligence
Hello! I’m Megan, a Code First Girls Ambassador and recent MSc graduate in Human-Centred AI. I’m passionate about responsible AI and tackling bias so we can build fair, inclusive technology for our future.
Why do we fear AI?
Where does the fear of AI come from? There are several reasons that may immediately spring to mind: the fear of job loss, concerns about reinforcing bias, and questions around sustainability. Each of these concerns is completely valid, but should we really be afraid?
I think it’s first important to understand the psychology behind the fear. As humans, we instinctively fear the unknown. After all, fear is what has historically kept us alive as a species: the unknown = risk. This applies in the modern era as well.
For example:
- Flying feels scarier than driving
- Sharks feel scarier than cows
- AI feels scarier than Excel
However, cars are statistically more dangerous than flying, and cows are responsible for more deaths worldwide than sharks. Similarly, AI can often complete tasks far more efficiently than traditional software like Excel. So why do the first ones seem scarier? Simply because we understand them less.
No longer do we fear the internet or electricity as we once did. We’ve come to understand them and now use them in our everyday lives without a second thought. Nowadays, many AI systems feel mysterious, which has led to AI feeling dangerous.
Research has found that a lack of transparency around AI is one of the top reasons people are hesitant to embrace it. And honestly, this fear isn’t irrational. There are multiple concerning ways AI is being misused. For example, misinformation, deepfakes and reinforcing bias (for a deeper look into bias in AI, check out my other blog here!).
Interestingly, women report distrusting AI more than men. A recent US report found that women were less likely to report AI helping their productivity than men, contributing to the AI gender gap. With technology still being a male-dominated industry, it’s important that women are equally equipped with the latest technology to avoid being left behind.
And of course, we can’t forget the environmental cost of AI. The explosive growth of AI infrastructure is currently underway, with water-hungry data centres and increased energy demand raising important questions about sustainability. This is a genuine concern, and one we should continue discussing as AI develops.
So, is all hope lost, and is our fear entirely justified? Definitely not! There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about AI and its potential to benefit society.
What we can do is use our critical thinking skills, use AI wisely, and take the time to educate ourselves on how it actually works. It’s scientifically proven that fear fades with familiarity, so let’s start by dismantling the black box image of AI.
How does AI work, really?
Here’s the quickest crash course you’ll ever read:
- AI doesn’t ‘think’ like a human. It looks for patterns in huge amounts of data and predicts the most likely response.
- It has been trained on enormous amounts of text, images or other data to recognise those patterns.
- It isn’t perfect. It can make mistakes, confidently state incorrect information and even hallucinate facts.
- AI is a tool, NOT an expert. Its answers should support your thinking, not replace it.
Understanding this makes AI suddenly become far less mysterious. It’s no longer a magical machine making decisions on its own, but rather a very advanced prediction tool that still relies on human judgement.
How should we be using AI?
Like any technology, AI is most useful when we understand both its strengths and its limitations.
If you’re using AI to research something important, don’t stop at the first answer. Cross-reference key facts with trusted sources and ask yourself whether the response actually makes sense. AI is brilliant at helping you brainstorm, summarise information and speed up repetitive tasks, but you’re still the one responsible for making the final decision.
The same goes for deepfakes and misinformation. As AI-generated content becomes more convincing, it’s more important than ever to pause before sharing something online. Reverse image searches, checking reputable news sources and looking for the original source can all help prevent misinformation from spreading further.
The environmental impact deserves the same balanced approach. Yes, AI consumes energy, but that doesn’t mean we should never use it. Instead, we should use it intentionally. Spend an extra minute writing a clear prompt rather than asking the same question ten different ways. Reuse outputs where possible instead of generating them repeatedly. Use AI when it genuinely saves time or adds value, rather than for every small task. Responsible AI use isn’t just about ethics – it’s also about efficiency.
Why women belong in AI
AI is going to influence almost every profession over the next decade, not just the tech industry. Whether you work in healthcare, marketing, education, law, finance or design, you’ll almost certainly work alongside AI in some capacity.
That’s exactly why it is so important for women to be part of the conversation.
If only a small group of people build and shape AI, then only a small group of experiences will influence how these systems develop. We need people from different backgrounds, industries and perspectives asking questions, spotting problems and helping create better technology.
The good news is that you don’t need to become a machine learning engineer to have an impact. Modern AI is becoming increasingly accessible. You don’t need years of coding experience to start experimenting. You simply need curiosity and a willingness to learn.
Be the representation you want to see. Regardless of how you currently feel about AI, it’s here to stay. Understanding it doesn’t mean you have to agree with every use of it, but it does mean you’ll be better equipped to make informed decisions, challenge poor uses of AI, and help shape its future.
Conclusion
AI doesn’t have to be something we fear, nor is it something we should blindly trust.
The best place to be is somewhere in the middle: curious enough to learn, critical enough to question it, and confident enough to use it responsibly.
The more we understand AI, the less mysterious it becomes. And just like the internet, smartphones and countless technologies before it, familiarity replaces fear.
If you’re curious to learn more and want to build your confidence with AI in a supportive environment, Code First Girls’ new Intro to AI and Security Tech Taster is a fantastic place to start. Whether you’re completely new to AI or want to understand the technology, it’s designed to help you take that first step with confidence.
