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By Sho Chang-young
Over the past few decades, two seemingly unrelated trends of significance have emerged, capturing global attention and concern. One is the mysterious disappearance of bees; the other is the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI).
Bees, the diligent workers that sustain our ecosystems, have undergone an alarming decline in population worldwide. Termed Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), this phenomenon has been attributed to a range of factors such as habitat loss, pesticide exposure, climate change and diseases. The consequences of this decline are far-reaching, as bees play a vital role in pollinating flowering plants, including many crops that support global food production. Their disappearance poses a major threat to biodiversity and food security.
Whether or not he was right, Einstein is said to have made an eerie warning that if the bees disappeared, the human race would become extinct. Still, some people do not worry about it. Even in our country, there has been controversies over this issue for a long time, and the government has taken a lukewarm attitude. However, it is undeniable that CCD was officially recognized relatively late at our national level, too.
While bees face a dire fate, the field of AI has experienced distinguished progress in recent years. AI refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as problem-solving, learning and decision-making. It has made noteworthy advancements in various domains, including health care, transportation and finance. The technology holds immense potential for improving human lives and addressing complex challenges.
Today, various articles have been pouring in about the amazing practical use of AI, such as Open AI. Without a doubt, there also exists substantial reluctance. Discussions surround the possibility of easily replacing most human jobs and the fact that even the realm of human creativity can be violated. However, despite the pessimistic self-blame that "we are summoning the devil now," AI will continue to evolve.
Then, are the above-mentioned two remarkable tendencies completely unrelated to each other? I consider, regardless of their outward disparate nature, the declining bee population and the thriving AI industry are intertwined in some ways.
First, AI technologies have been instrumental in monitoring and analyzing the factors contributing to CCD. By processing vast amounts of data, AI algorithms can identify patterns, track the spread of diseases and predict environmental changes that affect bee health. This AI-powered analysis can help scientists and beekeepers develop more effective strategies for conservation and disease management.
Additionally, AI innovations have the potential to mitigate the impact of declining bee populations on food production. Robotic pollinators, inspired by the behavior of bees, are being developed to supplement natural pollination procedures. These AI-driven solutions could serve as a temporary bridge to address the pollination deficit caused by declining bee populations.
Such ideas may represent the bright side of a complex relationship between nature and technology. It is imperative that we continue to explore and leverage AI's capabilities to protect our environments as a whole and keep the delicate balance of our planet.
Along with that, I would like to emphasize that we must try to control the combination of nature and technology in a way that does not lead to an apocalyptic tragedy for humanity. An eco-friendly federation of AI and beekeeping would be a good model for this, and we should keep an eye on its evolution.
The writer (sochan57@naver.com) is a retired principal of Gunsan Girls' High School.
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