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World History

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Home/World History/Page 33

Mains Answer Writing Latest Questions

Sangeeta rathor
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Sangeeta rathorBegginer
Asked: June 27, 2024In:
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The fight for national unification was one of the main characteristics of Europe in the 19th century. Talk about it in relation to Germany. (Answer in 150 words)

upsc: unification of germany
  1. Kamal Singh
    Kamal Singh Begginer

    The 19th century was a period of significant political and social changes in Europe. During this time, many countries were divided into smaller states and territories. The idea of national unity was closely tied to the rise of nationalism, which gained momentum in the aftermath of the French RevolutRead more

    The 19th century was a period of significant political and social changes in Europe. During this time, many countries were divided into smaller states and territories. The idea of national unity was closely tied to the rise of nationalism, which gained momentum in the aftermath of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars.

    Struggle for national unification in the 19th century Europe:

    • Napoleon’s ambitions to establish a French-dominated empire in Europe were fulfilled to an extent with his successful campaigns till 1812.
    • Napoleonic France directly annexed territories in the Low Countries and western Germany, applying revolutionary legislation in full. Satellite kingdoms were set up in other parts of Germany and in Italy, Spain, and Poland.
    • After Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo in 1815, victorious powers also acquired new territories under the Treaty of Vienna.
      • Prussia gained new territories in western Germany.
      • Russia took over most of Poland.
      • Britain acquired some former French, Spanish, and Dutch colonies.
    • In 1820, revolutionary agitation broke out in the fringe areas. Risings in several Italian states were put down. A rebellion in Spain was also suppressed.
      • However later, a series of wars and political struggles led to the unification of the Italian states into a single kingdom in 1861.
    • Other countries, such as Ireland, Poland, and the Balkan states, also experienced nationalist movements seeking unification during this time.

    Similarly, before 1871, Germany was fragmented into a large number of small states. The struggle for German unification is also marked with various wars:

    • The first effort at unifying the German states came in the revolutionary year 1848 when revolts started in all German states to overthrow the present political system of Monarchy. However, due to the lack of strong executive power, the revolution disintegrated by 1849.
    • The next attempt at German unification, a successful one, was undertaken by Otto von Bismarck, the Prime Minister of Prussia.
      • The first war of German unification was the 1862 Danish War, begun over the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein.
      • The second war of German unification was the 1866 Austro-Prussian War. Prussia won and directly annexed some of the German states that had sided with Austria (such as Hanover and Nassau). In 1867, Bismarck created the North German Confederation, a union of the northern German states under the hegemony of Prussia.
      • The third and final act of German unification was the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, orchestrated by Bismarck to draw the western German states into alliance with the North German Confederation. With the defeat of France, the remaining German states agreed to join the North German Confederation to form a unified German state under Prussian leadership.

    On January 18, 1871, the German Empire was proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. All the above-mentioned movements helped to shape the political, social, and cultural landscapes of Europe, and their legacy can still be seen today in the identities and boundaries of many modern nation-states.

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Bhairavi Gauatam
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Bhairavi GauatamBegginer
Asked: July 30, 2024In:
  • 1

Talk about how the Bolshevik party and Vladimir Lenin influenced the early Soviet state.

upsc: emergence of the soviet union
  1. Santosh Singh
    Santosh Singh Learner

    Vladimir Lenin, a Russian revolutionary and theorist, played a crucial role in shaping the early Soviet state along with the Bolshevik Party. The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, seized power in the October Revolution of 1917 and established the world's first socialist state. Here's a discussion of Lenin'sRead more

    Vladimir Lenin, a Russian revolutionary and theorist, played a crucial role in shaping the early Soviet state along with the Bolshevik Party. The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, seized power in the October Revolution of 1917 and established the world’s first socialist state. Here’s a discussion of Lenin’s role and the Bolshevik Party’s contributions to shaping the early Soviet state:

    Lenin’s Role:

    1. Theoretical Leader: Lenin was the key ideologue and theorist of the Bolshevik Party. He developed Marxist theory, applying it to the Russian context, and led the party in its revolutionary struggles.
    2. Organizational Genius: Lenin was a skilled organizer and strategist. He built a strong, centralized party apparatus, which enabled the Bolsheviks to seize power efficiently.
    3. Strategic Decision-Maker: Lenin made crucial decisions, such as the October Revolution, which shaped the course of Soviet history.
    4. Charismatic Leader: Lenin’s charisma and oratory skills helped inspire loyalty and devotion among party members and the broader population.

    Bolshevik Party’s Contributions:

    1. Seizing Power: The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, overthrew the provisional government in October 1917, establishing the Soviet government.
    2. Nationalization of Industry: The Bolsheviks nationalized industries, banks, and land, creating a socialist economy.
    3. Establishing Soviet Institutions: The party established key institutions, such as the Council of People’s Commissars (Sovnarkom), the Cheka (secret police), and the Red Army.
    4. Implementing Agrarian Reform: The Bolsheviks implemented agrarian reforms, including land redistribution to peasants and the establishment of collective farms.
    5. Promoting International Revolution: The Bolsheviks sought to promote international revolution and establish a global socialist system.

    Key Policies and Initiatives:

    1. New Economic Policy (NEP): In 1921, Lenin introduced NEP, which allowed for limited private enterprise and market-oriented reforms to revitalize the economy.
    2. War Communism: During World War I, Lenin implemented War Communism, which involved centralized control of resources, food rationing, and suppression of free markets.
    3. Village Reconstruction: The Bolsheviks launched programs to reconstruct villages, improve agricultural productivity, and promote social services.

    Challenges and Conflicts:

    1. Internal Struggles: The Bolsheviks faced internal conflicts between moderate and radical factions, with Lenin’s faction prevailing.
    2. External Pressures: The Soviet government faced external pressures from foreign powers, including intervention during World War I and subsequent attempts to undermine the new regime.
    3. Economic Challenges: The early Soviet economy faced significant challenges, including shortages, inflation, and inefficiencies.

    Legacy:

    1. Shaping Soviet Identity: The Bolsheviks’ actions shaped Soviet identity and ideology, influencing the country’s development for decades.
    2. Building Socialist Society: The early Soviet state aimed to create a socialist society, with equal access to resources and opportunities for all citizens.
    3. International Impact: The October Revolution inspired revolutionary movements worldwide, influencing the development of socialism and communism globally.
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Rutuja Ahire
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Rutuja AhireBegginer
Asked: July 16, 2024In: , , , ,
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  1. Shaik Sumayyah
    Shaik Sumayyah Begginer

    The causes of World War I and World War II  are complex and multifaceted, influenced by a combination of political, economic, social, and historical factors. Here’s a brief overview of the main reasons behind each war: World War I (1914-1918) Alliance Systems: Europe was divided into two major militRead more

    The causes of World War I and World War II  are complex and multifaceted, influenced by a combination of political, economic, social, and historical factors. Here’s a brief overview of the main reasons behind each war:

    World War I (1914-1918)

    1. Alliance Systems: Europe was divided into two major military alliances—Triple Entente (France, Russia, and Britain) and Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy). The complex web of alliances meant that a conflict involving one nation could quickly escalate into a continental war.
    2. Imperialism: European powers competed for colonies and global dominance, leading to tensions and rivalries, particularly in Africa and Asia.
    3. Nationalism: Intense nationalism and ethnic rivalries fueled a desire for independence and territorial expansion among various ethnic groups within empires like Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire.
    4. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand: The assassination of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, by a Serbian nationalist in June 1914, triggered a series of diplomatic crises and ultimatums that eventually led to the outbreak of war.

    World War II (1939-1945)

    1. Treaty of Versailles: The harsh terms imposed on Germany after WWI, including territorial losses, reparations, and military restrictions, created economic hardship and a sense of humiliation, fostering resentment and extremism.
    2. Rise of Totalitarian Regimes: Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime in Germany and Benito Mussolini’s fascist regime in Italy sought to expand their territories, promote nationalistic ideologies, and establish authoritarian control.
    3. Appeasement and Aggression: Western democracies initially pursued a policy of appeasement toward Nazi Germany’s territorial expansionism, emboldening Hitler and ultimately failing to prevent conflict.
    4. Failure of Collective Security: The League of Nations, established after WWI to prevent future conflicts, proved ineffective in stopping aggression and maintaining peace, especially in the face of Japanese expansion in Asia and Italian aggression in Africa.
    5. Economic Depression: The Great Depression of the 1930s exacerbated existing economic tensions, leading to increased militarization and competition for resources.

    In summary, both World War I and World War II were the result of a complex interplay of factors including alliances, imperialism, nationalism, economic conditions, and the actions of authoritarian regimes. Each war had its unique catalysts and triggers, but they shared common themes of power struggles, territorial ambitions, and the failure of international diplomacy to prevent widespread conflict.

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Akshat Aggarwal
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Akshat AggarwalBegginer
Asked: July 19, 2024In:
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cold warquestion
  1. Sanskriti Srivastava
    Sanskriti Srivastava Begginer

    World War II set the stage for the Cold War through a series of geopolitical, ideological, and military developments that created a climate of mutual suspicion and competition between the United States and the Soviet Union. Here are some key factors: Allied Cooperation and Post-War Tensions: DuringRead more

    World War II set the stage for the Cold War through a series of geopolitical, ideological, and military developments that created a climate of mutual suspicion and competition between the United States and the Soviet Union. Here are some key factors:

    1. Allied Cooperation and Post-War Tensions:
      • During World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union were allies against the Axis powers, but their cooperation was based on a common enemy rather than shared values or goals.
      • As the war ended, tensions quickly emerged over the post-war reconstruction of Europe and the fate of countries liberated from Nazi occupation.
    2. Ideological Differences:
      • The United States and the Soviet Union represented two fundamentally different ideologies: capitalism and democracy versus communism and authoritarianism.
      • These differences led to a deep mistrust, as each side viewed the other’s ideology as a threat to its own way of life and global influence.
    3. Division of Europe:
      • Europe was divided into spheres of influence, with the Eastern Bloc under Soviet control and the Western Bloc under American influence.
      • The Iron Curtain symbolized this division, with countries in Eastern Europe becoming satellite states of the Soviet Union.
    4. Nuclear Arms Race:
      • The development and use of atomic bombs by the United States at the end of World War II demonstrated a new level of military power.
      • The Soviet Union quickly sought to develop its own nuclear arsenal, leading to an arms race that became a central aspect of the Cold War.
    5. Formation of Military Alliances:
      • In response to perceived threats, the United States and its allies formed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949.
      • The Soviet Union responded by establishing the Warsaw Pact in 1955, formalizing the military divide in Europe.
    6. Economic and Political Reconstruction:
      • The United States implemented the Marshall Plan to aid Western Europe’s economic recovery, aiming to prevent the spread of communism by stabilizing these countries.
      • The Soviet Union, in turn, exerted control over the economies of Eastern Europe, integrating them into its own economic system.
    7. Emergence of Proxy Wars:
      • Conflicts in various parts of the world, such as Korea and later Vietnam, became arenas for the United States and the Soviet Union to exert influence without direct confrontation.
      • These proxy wars were indicative of the global struggle for power and ideological dominance.
    8. Berlin Crisis:
      • The Berlin Blockade (1948-1949) and the subsequent Berlin Airlift highlighted the city’s symbolic and strategic importance, solidifying the division of Germany and Berlin.
      • The construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961 further entrenched the Cold War divide.

    These factors combined to create a tense and competitive global environment in which the United States and the Soviet Union vied for dominance, shaping international relations for the next several decades.

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Team
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TeamSupreme
Asked: August 26, 2024In:
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Analyze the British Industrial Revolution’s impact on India’s economy critically. (125 Words) [UPPSC 2019]

uppsc: industrial revolution & imperialism
  1. Raj Patwardhan
    Raj Patwardhan Begginer

    Effects of the British Industrial Revolution on India's Economic Life 1. Deindustrialization: The British Industrial Revolution led to the deindustrialization of India's traditional industries. British policies favored British manufactured goods, resulting in the decline of Indian textiles and handiRead more

    Effects of the British Industrial Revolution on India’s Economic Life

    1. Deindustrialization: The British Industrial Revolution led to the deindustrialization of India’s traditional industries. British policies favored British manufactured goods, resulting in the decline of Indian textiles and handicrafts. For example, the textile industry in Bengal suffered as British cotton textiles flooded the Indian market.

    2. Economic Exploitation: India was used as a raw material supplier and market for British industries. Railways and infrastructure were developed primarily to facilitate resource extraction and transportation of goods to Britain. This led to economic drain and exploitation of Indian resources.

    3. Agricultural Impact: The focus on cash crops for export, such as jute and tea, altered traditional agriculture. This led to land degradation and food shortages, impacting the livelihoods of farmers. Recent examples of such exploitation are seen in Punjab’s green revolution where intensive farming led to soil depletion.

    Conclusion: The British Industrial Revolution had a profound negative impact on India’s economy by deindustrializing local industries, exploiting resources, and altering agricultural practices, leading to long-term economic challenges.

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MinimalistHavenCo
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MinimalistHavenCoBegginer
Asked: July 18, 2024In: ,
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  1. Shaik Sumayyah
    Shaik Sumayyah Begginer

    The  possible reasons for the decline of Indus civilisation are flood, migration, invasion The decline of the Indus Valley Civilization around 1900-1700 BCE was likely caused by several factors: environmental changes, including climate shifts and river shifts that affected agriculture and trade routRead more

    The  possible reasons for the decline of Indus civilisation are flood, migration, invasion

    The decline of the Indus Valley Civilization around 1900-1700 BCE was likely caused by several factors: environmental changes, including climate shifts and river shifts that affected agriculture and trade routes; internal factors such as overuse of land and resources leading to soil exhaustion; and external pressures such as invasions or migrations of Indo-Aryan peoples. These combined factors weakened cities, disrupted trade networks, and contributed to the eventual abandonment of urban centers, marking the end of the civilization’s urban phase.

     

     

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Chintan Trivedi
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Chintan TrivediBegginer
Asked: July 31, 2024In:
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Examine the effects of the Vietnam War and the Korean War on the balance of power in the world and the development of communism during the Cold War.

upsc: korean war & vietnam war
  1. Adira Rajan
    Adira Rajan Begginer

    Impact of the Korean War and the Vietnam War on the Global Balance of Power and the Spread of Communism Korean War (1950-1953) 1. Global Balance of Power: Cold War Escalation: The Korean War marked the first major conflict of the Cold War, significantly escalating tensions between the United StatesRead more

    Impact of the Korean War and the Vietnam War on the Global Balance of Power and the Spread of Communism

    Korean War (1950-1953)

    1. Global Balance of Power:

    • Cold War Escalation: The Korean War marked the first major conflict of the Cold War, significantly escalating tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. It was a direct confrontation between communist and anti-communist forces, reinforcing the bipolar world order.
    • Military Alliances: The war led to the solidification of military alliances. The U.S. strengthened its military presence in Asia and Europe, leading to the formation of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) and reinforcing NATO’s commitment to collective defense.

    2. Spread of Communism:

    • Containment Policy: The Korean War tested the U.S. policy of containment. The U.S. aimed to prevent the spread of communism beyond Korea, and while the war ended in a stalemate, it established a precedent for U.S. intervention in other regions to curb communist expansion.
    • Stalemate Impact: The armistice signed in 1953, which restored the status quo, showed that communist expansion could be contained but not entirely reversed, influencing subsequent U.S. foreign policies.

    Vietnam War (1955-1975)

    1. Global Balance of Power:

    • U.S. Military and Political Strain: The Vietnam War was a protracted conflict that significantly strained U.S. military and economic resources. The failure to achieve a decisive victory contributed to a reassessment of U.S. interventionist policies and led to the policy of détente, aimed at easing tensions with the Soviet Union.
    • Shift in Power Dynamics: The war exposed the limitations of U.S. military power and highlighted the growing influence of nationalist and revolutionary movements worldwide. It also intensified the global polarization between pro-communist and anti-communist nations.

    2. Spread of Communism:

    • Domino Theory: The fall of South Vietnam to communism in 1975 was seen as a victory for the North Vietnamese and their allies, validating the “domino theory” which suggested that the spread of communism in one country could trigger its spread in neighboring countries. This fear influenced U.S. foreign policy in various regions.
    • Global Revolutionary Movements: The success of the North Vietnamese inspired communist and revolutionary movements in other parts of the world, such as in Latin America and Africa, as seen in countries like Cambodia and Angola.

    Recent Examples and Reflections:

    1. Impact on U.S. Foreign Policy:

    • Afghanistan and Iraq: The Vietnam War’s impact is evident in U.S. foreign policy decisions in the Middle East. The lessons learned from Vietnam influenced U.S. strategies in Afghanistan and Iraq, with a greater emphasis on local partnerships and counterinsurgency tactics.

    2. Communism’s Decline:

    • Fall of the Soviet Union: The eventual decline of communism and the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 can be partly attributed to the long-term effects of the Korean and Vietnam Wars. These conflicts strained Soviet resources and contributed to internal dissent, which accelerated the end of the Cold War.

    In summary, both the Korean and Vietnam Wars significantly influenced the global balance of power and the spread of communism. The Korean War reinforced the Cold War divisions and containment strategies, while the Vietnam War exposed the limitations of U.S. power and influenced global revolutionary movements. These wars shaped subsequent U.S. foreign policies and contributed to the eventual decline of communism.

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Rishab Chopra
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Rishab ChopraBegginer
Asked: July 31, 2024In:
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Examine the main elements that contributed to the Cold War’s start between the US and the USSR following World War II.

upsc: cold war
  1. Akshay Desai
    Akshay Desai Begginer

    Key Factors Leading to the Emergence of the Cold War Between the United States and the Soviet Union in the Aftermath of World War II The Cold War, a geopolitical and ideological struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union, emerged in the aftermath of World War II. This confrontation shapRead more

    Key Factors Leading to the Emergence of the Cold War Between the United States and the Soviet Union in the Aftermath of World War II

    The Cold War, a geopolitical and ideological struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union, emerged in the aftermath of World War II. This confrontation shaped much of the global landscape from the late 1940s to the early 1990s. The key factors that contributed to this emergence include ideological differences, conflicting interests, and the impact of World War II on international relations.

    1. Ideological Differences

    a. Capitalism vs. Communism

    The ideological divide between capitalism and communism was a fundamental factor in the Cold War.

    • Example: The United States championed capitalism, advocating for democratic governance and free-market economies, while the Soviet Union promoted communism, emphasizing state control over the economy and a single-party political system. This ideological opposition fueled mutual suspicion and competition.

    b. Promises and Policies of WWII Allies

    During World War II, the Allies, including the US and the Soviet Union, had strategic interests that masked their ideological differences.

    • Example: Agreements made at conferences such as Yalta (1945) and Potsdam (1945) regarding post-war Europe were interpreted differently by each side. The Soviets viewed their sphere of influence as a security buffer, while the US saw it as a threat to democratic values and open markets.

    2. Geopolitical and Strategic Interests

    a. Post-War Power Vacuum

    The end of World War II left a power vacuum in Europe and Asia, which the US and the Soviet Union sought to fill according to their strategic interests.

    • Example: The division of Germany into four occupation zones and the eventual split into East and West Germany epitomized this struggle. The Soviet Union established a communist regime in East Germany, while the US and its allies supported the establishment of a democratic West Germany.

    b. Expansionist Policies and Containment Strategy

    The Soviet Union’s expansionist policies and the US strategy of containment were central to the Cold War dynamics.

    • Example: The Truman Doctrine (1947) articulated the US policy of containing communism by supporting countries threatened by Soviet influence. This policy was exemplified by US aid to Greece and Turkey to counter communist movements.

    3. The Arms Race and Nuclear Tensions

    a. Development of Nuclear Weapons

    The development and use of nuclear weapons marked a critical aspect of the Cold War.

    • Example: The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (1945) showcased the devastating power of nuclear weapons. The subsequent nuclear arms race saw both superpowers amassing vast arsenals of nuclear weapons, leading to a state of mutually assured destruction (MAD).

    b. The Cuban Missile Crisis

    The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) was a peak moment of nuclear tension between the US and the Soviet Union.

    • Example: The discovery of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba led to a 13-day confrontation that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. The resolution of this crisis involved a US-Soviet agreement to remove missiles from Cuba and Turkey, illustrating the extreme risks of Cold War tensions.

    4. Influence of World War II Outcomes

    a. The Collapse of European Powers

    The weakening of traditional European powers post-World War II created opportunities for US and Soviet influence.

    • Example: The decline of British and French colonial empires led to increased US and Soviet involvement in global affairs. The US emerged as a global superpower, while the Soviet Union expanded its influence across Eastern Europe and into Asia.

    b. The Formation of Military Alliances

    The establishment of military alliances solidified the division between East and West.

    • Example: The formation of NATO (1949) as a collective security alliance led by the US aimed to counter Soviet military power. In response, the Soviet Union established the Warsaw Pact (1955) with its Eastern Bloc allies, formalizing the military and ideological division of Europe.

    5. Recent Examples

    a. Legacy of Cold War Conflicts

    The legacy of Cold War-era conflicts continues to impact international relations.

    • Example: The ongoing tensions between Russia and the West, including the annexation of Crimea (2014) and conflicts in Ukraine, reflect enduring Cold War rivalries and the complex legacy of Soviet-era geopolitics.

    b. Technological and Cyber Competition

    The Cold War’s technological competition has evolved into modern cyber conflicts and technological rivalries.

    • Example: The current US-China technological competition, including disputes over 5G technology and cyber espionage, mirrors the technological and strategic competition of the Cold War era, highlighting how Cold War dynamics influence contemporary geopolitical rivalries.

    In summary, the emergence of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union was driven by deep ideological differences, conflicting geopolitical interests, and the impact of World War II on global power structures. The arms race and strategic military alliances further entrenched the division. The legacy of the Cold War continues to shape international relations and geopolitical dynamics in the present day.

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Vikash Ray
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Poll
Vikash RayBegginer
Asked: July 16, 2024In: , , , , ,
  • 0

  1. PranjaliParmar
    PranjaliParmar Begginer

    12 Risks and Dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI) AI has been hailed as revolutionary and world-changing, but it’s not without drawbacks. As AI grows more sophisticated and widespread, the voices warning against the potential dangers of artificial intelligence grow louder. “These things could getRead more

    12 Risks and Dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

    AI has been hailed as revolutionary and world-changing, but it’s not without drawbacks.

    12 Risks and Dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

    As AI grows more sophisticated and widespread, the voices warning against the potential dangers of artificial intelligence grow louder.

    “These things could get more intelligent than us and could decide to take over, and we need to worry now about how we prevent that happening,” said Geoffrey Hinton, known as the “Godfather of AI” for his foundational work on machine learning and neural network algorithms. In 2023, Hinton left his position at Google so that he could “talk about the dangers of AI,” noting a part of him even regrets his life’s work.

    The renowned computer scientist isn’t alone in his concerns.

    Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, along with over 1,000 other tech leaders, urged in a 2023 open letter to put a pause on large AI experiments, citing that the technology can “pose profound risks to society and humanity.”

    Dangers of Artificial Intelligence

    • Automation-spurred job loss
    • Deepfakes
    • Privacy violations
    • Algorithmic bias caused by bad data
    • Socioeconomic inequality
    • Market volatility
    • Weapons automatization
    • Uncontrollable self-aware AI

    Whether it’s the increasing automation of certain jobs, gender and racially biased algorithms or autonomous weapons that operate without human oversight (to name just a few), unease abounds on a number of fronts. And we’re still in the very early stages of what AI is really capable of.

     

    12 Dangers of AI

    Questions about who’s developing AI and for what purposes make it all the more essential to understand its potential downsides. Below we take a closer look at the possible dangers of artificial intelligence and explore how to manage its risks.

    Is AI Dangerous?

    The tech community has long debated the threats posed by artificial intelligence. Automation of jobs, the spread of fake news and a dangerous arms race of AI-powered weaponry have been mentioned as some of the biggest dangers posed by AI.

    1. Lack of AI Transparency and Explainability 

    AI and deep learning models can be difficult to understand, even for those that work directly with the technology. This leads to a lack of transparency for how and why AI comes to its conclusions, creating a lack of explanation for what data AI algorithms use, or why they may make biased or unsafe decisions. These concerns have given rise to the use of explainable AI, but there’s still a long way before transparent AI systems become common practice.

    2. Job Losses Due to AI Automation

    AI-powered job automation is a pressing concern as the technology is adopted in industries like marketing, manufacturing and healthcare. By 2030, tasks that account for up to 30 percent of hours currently being worked in the U.S. economy could be automated — with Black and Hispanic employees left especially vulnerable to the change — according to McKinsey. Goldman Sachs even states 300 million full-time jobs could be lost to AI automation.

    “The reason we have a low unemployment rate, which doesn’t actually capture people that aren’t looking for work, is largely that lower-wage service sector jobs have been pretty robustly created by this economy,” futurist Martin Ford told Built In. With AI on the rise, though, “I don’t think that’s going to continue.”

    As AI robots become smarter and more dexterous, the same tasks will require fewer humans. And while AI is estimated to create 97 million new jobs by 2025, many employees won’t have the skills needed for these technical roles and could get left behind if companies don’t upskill their workforces.

    “If you’re flipping burgers at McDonald’s and more automation comes in, is one of these new jobs going to be a good match for you?” Ford said. “Or is it likely that the new job requires lots of education or training or maybe even intrinsic talents — really strong interpersonal skills or creativity — that you might not have? Because those are the things that, at least so far, computers are not very good at.”

    Even professions that require graduate degrees and additional post-college training aren’t immune to AI displacement.

    As technology strategist Chris Messina has pointed out, fields like law and accounting are primed for an AI takeover. In fact, Messina said, some of them may well be decimated. AI already is having a significant impact on medicine. Law and accounting are next, Messina said, the former being poised for “a massive shakeup.”

    “Think about the complexity of contracts, and really diving in and understanding what it takes to create a perfect deal structure,” he said in regards to the legal field. “It’s a lot of attorneys reading through a lot of information — hundreds or thousands of pages of data and documents. It’s really easy to miss things. So AI that has the ability to comb through and comprehensively deliver the best possible contract for the outcome you’re trying to achieve is probably going to replace a lot of corporate attorneys.”

    MORE ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCEAI Copywriting: Why Writing Jobs Are Safe

    3. Social Manipulation Through AI Algorithms

    Social manipulation also stands as a danger of artificial intelligence. This fear has become a reality as politicians rely on platforms to promote their viewpoints, with one example being Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., wielding a TikTok troll army to capture the votes of younger Filipinos during the Philippines’ 2022 election.

    TikTok, which is just one example of a social media platform that relies on AI algorithms, fills a user’s feed with content related to previous media they’ve viewed on the platform. Criticism of the app targets this process and the algorithm’s failure to filter out harmful and inaccurate content, raising concerns over TikTok’s ability to protect its users from misleading information.

    Online media and news have become even murkier in light of AI-generated images and videos, AI voice changers as well as deepfakes infiltrating political and social spheres. These technologies make it easy to create realistic photos, videos, audio clips or replace the image of one figure with another in an existing picture or video. As a result, bad actors have another avenue for sharing misinformation and war propaganda, creating a nightmare scenario where it can be nearly impossible to distinguish between creditable and faulty news.

    “No one knows what’s real and what’s not,” Ford said. “So it really leads to a situation where you literally cannot believe your own eyes and ears; you can’t rely on what, historically, we’ve considered to be the best possible evidence… That’s going to be a huge issue.”

    MORE ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCEHow to Spot Deepfake Technology

    4. Social Surveillance With AI Technology

    In addition to its more existential threat, Ford is focused on the way AI will adversely affect privacy and security. A prime example is China’s use of facial recognition technology in offices, schools, and other venues. Besides tracking a person’s movements, the Chinese government may be able to gather enough data to monitor a person’s activities, relationships, and political views.

    Another example is U.S. police departments embracing predictive policing algorithms to anticipate where crimes will occur. The problem is that these algorithms are influenced by arrest rates, which disproportionately impact Black communities. Police departments then double down on these communities, leading to over-policing and questions over whether self-proclaimed democracies can resist turning AI into an authoritarian weapon.

    “Authoritarian regimes use or are going to use it,” Ford said. “The question is, How much does it invade Western countries, and democracies, and what constraints do we put on it?”

    RELATEDAre Police Robots the Future of Law Enforcement?

    5. Lack of Data Privacy Using AI Tools

    If you’ve played around with an AI chatbot or tried out an AI face filter online, your data is being collected — but where is it going and how is it being used? AI systems often collect personal data to customize user experiences or to help train the AI models you’re using (especially if the AI tool is free). Data may not even be considered secure from other users when given to an AI system, as one bug incident that occurred with ChatGPT in 2023 “allowed some users to see titles from another active user’s chat history.” While there are laws present to protect personal information in some cases in the United States, there is no explicit federal law that protects citizens from data privacy harm experienced by AI.

    6. Biases Due to AI

    Various forms of AI bias are detrimental too. Speaking to the New York Times, Princeton computer science professor Olga Russakovsky said AI bias goes well beyond gender and race. In addition to data and algorithmic bias (the latter of which can “amplify” the former), AI is developed by humans — and humans are inherently biased.

    “A.I. researchers are primarily people who are male, who come from certain racial demographics, who grew up in high socioeconomic areas, primarily people without disabilities,” Russakovsky said. “We’re a fairly homogeneous population, so it’s a challenge to think broadly about world issues.”

    The limited experiences of AI creators may explain why speech-recognition AI often fails to understand certain dialects and accents, or why companies fail to consider the consequences of a chatbot impersonating notorious figures in human history. Developers and businesses should exercise greater care to avoid recreating powerful biases and prejudices that put minority populations at risk.

    7. Socioeconomic Inequality as a result of AI 

    If companies refuse to acknowledge the inherent biases baked into AI algorithms, they may compromise their DEI initiatives through AI-powered recruiting. The idea that AI can measure the traits of a candidate through facial and voice analyses is still tainted by racial biases, reproducing the same discriminatory hiring practices businesses claim to be eliminating.

    Widening socioeconomic inequality sparked by AI-driven job loss is another cause for concern, revealing the class biases of how AI is applied. Workers who perform more manual, repetitive tasks have experienced wage declines as high as 70 percent because of automation, with office and desk workers remaining largely untouched in AI’s early stages. However, the increase in generative AI use is already affecting office jobs, making for a wide range of roles that may be more vulnerable to wage or job loss than others.

    Sweeping claims that AI has somehow overcome social boundaries or created more jobs fails to paint a complete picture of its effects. It’s crucial to account for differences based on race, class, and other categories. Otherwise, discerning how AI and automation benefit certain individuals and groups at the expense of others becomes more difficult.

    8. Weakening Ethics and Goodwill Because of AI

    Along with technologists, journalists, and political figures, even religious leaders are sounding the alarm on AI’s potential pitfalls. In a 2023 Vatican meeting and in his message for the 2024 World Day of Peace, Pope Francis called for nations to create and adopt a binding international treaty that regulates the development and use of AI.

    Pope Francis warned against AI’s ability to be misused, and “create statements that at first glance appear plausible but are unfounded or betray biases.” He stressed how this could bolster campaigns of disinformation, distrust in communications media, interference in elections and more — ultimately increasing the risk of “fueling conflicts and hindering peace.”

    The rapid rise of generative AI tools gives these concerns more substance. Many users have applied the technology to get out of writing assignments, threatening academic integrity and creativity. Plus, biased AI could be used to determine whether an individual is suitable for a job, mortgage, social assistance or political asylum, producing possible injustices and discrimination, noted Pope Francis.

    “The unique human capacity for moral judgment and ethical decision-making is more than a complex collection of algorithms,” he said. “And that capacity cannot be reduced to programming a machine.”

    MORE ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCEWhat Are AI Ethics?

    9. Autonomous Weapons Powered By AI

    As is too often the case, technological advancements have been harnessed for the purpose of warfare. When it comes to AI, some are keen to do something about it before it’s too late: In a 2016 open letter, over 30,000 individuals, including AI and robotics researchers, pushed back against the investment in AI-fueled autonomous weapons.

    “The key question for humanity today is whether to start a global AI arms race or to prevent it from starting,” they wrote. “If any major military power pushes ahead with AI weapon development, a global arms race is virtually inevitable, and the endpoint of this technological trajectory is obvious: autonomous weapons will become the Kalashnikovs of tomorrow.”

    This prediction has come to fruition in the form of Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems, which locate and destroy targets on their own while abiding by few regulations. Because of the proliferation of potent and complex weapons, some of the world’s most powerful nations have given in to anxieties and contributed to a tech cold war.

    Many of these new weapons pose major risks to civilians on the ground, but the danger becomes amplified when autonomous weapons fall into the wrong hands. Hackers have mastered various types of cyber attacks, so it’s not hard to imagine a malicious actor infiltrating autonomous weapons and instigating absolute armageddon.

    If political rivalries and warmongering tendencies are not kept in check, artificial intelligence could end up being applied with the worst intentions. Some fear that, no matter how many powerful figures point out the dangers of artificial intelligence, we’re going to keep pushing the envelope with it if there’s money to be made.

    “The mentality is, ‘If we can do it, we should try it; let’s see what happens,” Messina said. “‘And if we can make money off it, we’ll do a whole bunch of it.’ But that’s not unique to technology. That’s been happening forever.’”

    10. Financial Crises Brought About By AI Algorithms

    The financial industry has become more receptive to AI technology’s involvement in everyday finance and trading processes. As a result, algorithmic trading could be responsible for our next major financial crisis in the markets.

    While AI algorithms aren’t clouded by human judgment or emotions, they also don’t take into account contexts, the interconnectedness of markets, and factors like human trust and fear. These algorithms then make thousands of trades at a blistering pace with the goal of selling a few seconds later for small profits. Selling off thousands of trades could scare investors into doing the same thing, leading to sudden crashes and extreme market volatility.

    Instances like the 2010 Flash Crash and the Knight Capital Flash Crash serve as reminders of what could happen when trade-happy algorithms go berserk, regardless of whether rapid and massive trading is intentional.

    This isn’t to say that AI has nothing to offer to the finance world. In fact, AI algorithms can help investors make smarter and more informed decisions on the market. But finance organizations need to make sure they understand their AI algorithms and how those algorithms make decisions. Companies should consider whether AI raises or lowers their confidence before introducing the technology to avoid stoking fears among investors and creating financial chaos.

    11. Loss of Human Influence

    An overreliance on AI technology could result in the loss of human influence — and a lack of human functioning — in some parts of society. Using AI in healthcare could result in reduced human empathy and reasoning, for instance. And applying generative AI to creative endeavors could diminish human creativity and emotional expression. Interacting with AI systems too much could even cause reduced peer communication and social skills. So while AI can be very helpful for automating daily tasks, some question if it might hold back overall human intelligence, abilities, and need for community.

    12. Uncontrollable Self-Aware AI

    There also comes a worry that AI will progress in intelligence so rapidly that it will become sentient, and act beyond humans’ control — possibly in a malicious manner. Alleged reports of this sentience have already been occurring, with one popular account being from a former Google engineer who stated the AI chatbot LaMDA was sentient and speaking to him just as a person would. As AI’s next big milestones involve making systems with artificial general intelligence, and eventually artificial superintelligence, cries to completely stop these developments continue to rise.

    How to Mitigate the Risks of AI

    AI still has numerous benefits, like organizing health data and powering self-driving cars. To get the most out of this promising technology, though, some argue that plenty of regulation is necessary.

    “There’s a danger that we’ll get [AI systems] smarter than us fairly soon and that these things might get bad motives and take control,” Hinton told NPR. “This isn’t just a science fiction problem. This is a serious problem that’s probably going to arrive fairly soon, and politicians need to be thinking about what to do about it now.”

    Develop Legal Regulations

    AI regulation has been a main focus for dozens of countries, and now the U.S. and European Union are creating more clear-cut measures to manage the rising sophistication of artificial intelligence. In fact, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) published the AI Bill of Rights in 2022, a document outlining how to help responsibly guide AI use and development. Additionally, President Joe Biden issued an executive order in 2023 requiring federal agencies to develop new rules and guidelines for AI safety and security.

    Although legal regulations mean certain AI technologies could eventually be banned, it doesn’t prevent societies from exploring the field. 

    Ford argues that AI is essential for countries looking to innovate and keep up with the rest of the world.

    “You regulate the way AI is used, but you don’t hold back progress in basic technology. I think that would be wrong-headed and potentially dangerous,” Ford said. “We decide where we want AI and where we don’t; where it’s acceptable and where it’s not. And different countries are going to make different choices.”

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