Quiet ways AI is shaping our lives

Chloe Cheng

When most people hear “Artificial Intelligence,” they imagine humanoid robots or futuristic science-fiction movies. However, in reality, AI is not something in the far future anymore; instead, it has become woven into our everyday lives, affecting us in ways we may not notice.  

From TikTok to Spotify: 

Short-form content has become a dominant form of entertainment in today’s world because of its undeniably engaging nature that leaves us wanting more. Every TikTok that seems to be tailored to your sense of humor is AI observing us -- what we click on, how long we watch each video, which ones we skip. Even if you do not use TikTok, Spotify also employs AI to increase listeners’ engagement. The playlists that match our late-night moods, our Spotify Wrapped, and introducing new artists that align with our music taste are all AI in action. These platforms utilize artificial intelligence to monitor and analyze our past behavior, learning about us through algorithms that predict our preferences. Over time, the system learns about you more than you expect, and AI gains a tight grasp on the media we consume. 

Self-Driving Cars: 

AI also powers innovations like cars that have an auto-drive mode. Companies like Tesla leverage AI, using computers to “see” to train them in pattern recognition like the human brain. This helps cars detect pedestrians, road signs, and traffic lights, as well as learn safety features to ensure reliability on the road. While entirely autonomous cars are still being developed, the AI behind these cars is already assisting people in making transportation easier, advancing toward the future where artificial intelligence could possibly rule transit functions. 

Health and Science

One of the most beneficial roles of AI is in medicine. Programs such as Google’s DeepMind can already predict protein structures that take scientists years to do on their own. During the COVID-19 pandemic, AI was also used to track the spread of the virus and support vaccine development.

Although AI has advanced many areas of our lives, its prevalence in our everyday lives raises questions as well. What happens when AI completely controls the information we see online? Who is responsible when AI makes a mistake on the road? Will automation replace jobs in the medical field? These are all concerns that generations will eventually have to consider, making it a crucial topic for young people to wrestle with to understand how artificial intelligence works and to decide how far it should shape our future. So next time you scroll on TikTok, ride in a Tesla, or get a vaccine, remember to be aware of the ways artificial intelligence can control the little things in your life.