We live in a world rich with opportunities, clearer for human rights than ever before (or at least, a few years ago before Trump's tirade on basic human decency), and yet, our problems of poverty, disease and mental health have either persisted or gotten worse. The dynamics that have created this dichotomy are complex and historied, and entirely self-inflicted, even if unintentional. But perhaps with Al's rise, as well as the threat of technological unemployment, we are equipped for the first time in history to actually tackle these problems at an individual and macro economic level.
Poverty, homelessness and hunger
Save for mental health issues, poverty, homelessness and hunger are rooted in a lack of cash, resources and access. Using Al to make paths to those resources can help individuals get back on track on their terms, not via a prescribed program a naive, although well-intentioned, government or charity program develops. Smart people should create tools that enable and empower the poorest among us to make better decisions for themselves what trades are in demand that can be lucrative and appealing, where are certain types of work most in demand geographically, etc.
Disease
[Insert legal disclaimer that I am not advocating for Al to replace medical attention]
Understanding symptoms in real-time and using context to eliminate causes and cipher out hypothetical causes in a personalized, unjudgmental way can lead to better personal health choices and more successful conversations with doctors and medical experts. For example, many of my symptoms are aggravated by being overweight, and while I understand that and am working to lose my excess weight, there are other factors that can be addressed to give me more immediate relief from symptoms, if only I understand them; however, when talking with a doctor, it often feels like the solution is just, get off your fat ass and lose the weight. Chatting with an Al chatbot is much less confrontational, feels like judgey, and gives space with no time limit to explore and better understand what's going on.
Mental Health
[Insert legal disclaimer that I am not advocating for Al to replace suicide prevention, etc]
For some people, for whatever reason, seeking counseling is either not a viable option (money/insurance, access, schedule), or feels like an insurmountable scary thing. An Al chatbot can provide direct advice for handling situations, and the recommendations get richer as it gets more context about your personal situation. It can ask you questions to help you reflect, and you can ask it for recommendations that you are most open to. For example, I've asked my Al chatbot to give me mantras to recite to remind myself of the mindset changes I want to make. You could ask it for advice on handling threatening situations in the moment, after, and how to prepare. You can talk through things and get reassurance that what you're feeling is normal and part of the human experience. Or if you are ready to pursue a therapist, you can ask it for advice about what kind of therapist to seek out, how to prepare for your appointment, how to determine if that specific relationship is going to work for you. It can give you the feeling of being in control when you most need it.
How we can use these ideas and tools to solve the world's problems
Knowledge and access are key - we need to develop ways to get the word out to the people most in need, and actually, everyone, really. And then we need to equip them, with free tools easy to navigate on both phones and computers because some people may not have access to one or the other.
For more privileged people, we need to understand what Al can do for us and utilize it develop these tools, as well as to brainstorm solutions to bigger picture issues. There are a few books that have come out recently that point to zoning laws and the immense web of restrictions and laws that builders have to navigate that contribute to the lack of affordable housing, and therefore to the homeless problem. We need people in government and large organizations to look wholistically at the system instead of each individual, maybe well-intended, rule and policy in place. When things become too hard, they don't get done. Let's re-evaluate the safeguards and the whole process needed for real solutions, and break down the barriers.
