Artificial Intelligence has been a topic of curiosity for decades, yet it feels more present in everyday life than ever before. Once spinning out chessmasters on powerful machines, it evolved into helpful virtual assistants. By 2022, productive systems could generate text or images in seconds, tailored to user wishes. Today, these breakthroughs have turned AI into a mainstream topic, sparking both enthusiasm and apprehension about what these tools mean for society.
At its core, AI is the discipline that allows machines to tackle complex problems. Computers do not possess self-awareness, but they can compute, memorize, and learn from data supplied by humans, refining themselves over time. In practice, AI powers assistants like Siri or Alexa to understand and act on user requests, and it also drives automation in factories, coordinates intricate financial transactions, and even helps doctors identify potential diseases earlier.
In recent months, more capable systems have sparked a revolution in creative expression. Programs such as DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, and Midjourney enable real-time image creation, sometimes in three dimensions, by emulating various artistic styles. Meanwhile, language models like ChatGPT can converse with users, draft articles, compose poetry, or write code. “It’s mimicking human reasoning more and more, and it’s remarkable,” notes a professor of logic and philosophy of science from a major university, as reported by regional outlets.
Artificial intelligence, the profession of the future, is already ready
The efficiency gains from productive AIs are attracting attention in markets affected by macroeconomic shifts. Venture investments in creative technologies have surged, with substantial funding flowing into this space since 2020. Industry leaders in the field have reached valuations in the tens of billions and plan further expansion in the near term.
Creative AI risks
Many people want to experiment with these tools, but they come with risks. Language models can spread misinformation convincingly, and users may accept falsehoods as true if they are told something plausible. A prominent expert in cognitive psychology cautions that verifying truth may become harder as AI-generated content grows more credible. This concern contributed to the temporary withdrawal of a large language model from a well-known tech company after it drew strong public attention. Analysts warn that without careful checks, reliability can suffer.
On the other side, the rapid rise of image renderers has sparked debates among artists who fear their work is used without consent to produce new results that may infringe on rights. These models learn from streams of online data, sometimes amplifying social biases. In the case of popular selfie-enhancement apps, reports indicate a tendency to portray certain groups more vividly than others, highlighting the importance of responsible design and usage.
Opportunities and social impact
The emergence of creative AI marks a turning point in many industries that have been gradually adopting smarter technologies for years. A growing share of companies worldwide is exploring AI integration, with studies showing notable increases in adoption since 2017. The momentum reflects a shift toward more automated, data-driven decision-making across sectors.
Spain accelerates AI deployment
Across financial services, telecommunications, healthcare, logistics, and tourism, AI helps process customer requests, automate repetitive tasks, and sift through vast data to reveal patterns. Analysts project a substantial impact on global economic activity as AI continues to mature and scale, likening its potential to pivotal breakthroughs in history.
As with any major technological shift, risks and opportunities arrive together. The adoption of AI is linked to changes in job markets, with some roles becoming more automated while new, more technical roles emerge in programming and machine oversight. Digital transformation also affects social dynamics, including debates about platform economies and workers’ rights online. Experts emphasize the need for safeguards that protect people while encouraging innovation.
Public administrations are increasingly experimenting with AI to inform decisions on migration, public safety, and recidivism risk. The goal is to improve efficiency while maintaining accountability and fairness, but such deployments must be balanced with safeguards and oversight. In this evolving landscape, stakeholders from civil society and government advocate for responsible use that maximizes benefits while minimizing potential harms.