Artificial Intelligence: Advantages, Disadvantages, Benefits, and Threats

This book introduces the subject of artificial intelligence (AI), its structures, uses, application to the artificial neural network, technology applications, and the advantages and disadvantages of its use, including its potential weaknesses and drawbacks. AI, in its broadest sense, is intelligence exhibited by machines, particularly computer systems. It is a field of research in computer science that develops and studies methods and software that enable machines to perceive their environment and use learning and intelligence to take actions that maximize their chances of achieving defined goals. Such machines may be called AIs. AI technology is widely used throughout industry, government, and science.

Some high-profile applications include advanced web search engines (e.g., Google Search); recommendation systems (used by platforms such as YouTube, Amazon, and Netflix); interacting via human speech (e.g., Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa); autonomous vehicles (e.g., Waymo); generative and creative tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Apple Intelligence, and AI art); and superhuman play and analysis in strategy games (e.g., chess and Go). However, many AI applications are not perceived as AI. It would appear that much of specific AI has filtered into general applications, often without being called AI because once something becomes useful and common enough, it is no longer labelled as AI.

The growing use of AI in the 21st century is influencing a societal and economic shift towards increased automation, data-driven decision-making, and the integration of AI systems into various economic and commercial sectors and areas of everyday life. Its impact is felt across job markets, healthcare, government, industry, education, propaganda, and disinformation and deception, whether deliberate or otherwise. This raises questions about the long-term effects, ethical implications, and risks of AI, prompting discussions about regulatory policies to ensure the safety and benefits of the technology.

Mark Rowbotham is an international consultant, trainer, and writer in customs and international trade compliance and risk issues, as well as other areas including cybernetic management in business issues and the assessment of artificial intelligence in trade and taxation. He deals primarily with compliance, control, procedural, and risk management issues in customs and international trade. He has spent a considerable amount of time working in the government, commercial, and academic sectors, advising these sectors on trade, customs, tax, and risk issues, as well as export controls and international trade security.

He was originally an officer in HM Customs and Excise in the United Kingdom, dealing with import and export controls on maritime freight traffic into and out of UK Ports and became an independent consultant and trainer in 2000, dealing primarily with customs compliances, procedures, and documentation. He advises on these issues and undertakes training, advisory, and consultancy work in these areas.

He gained a master’s degree in International Relations in 1995, as well as a graduate qualification with the UK Institute of Export, and is a member of the UK’s Customs Practitioners’ Group and the EU Customs Knowledge Committee.

He has written extensively on the subjects of customs, export controls, and international supply chain compliance issues for a wide variety of international trade and logistics publications and journals and has had several books published. The first, in 2008, was entitled Introduction to Marine Cargo Management, with the second edition published in 2015. The second book, published in 2021, is called Cybernetic Synergy, focusing on the use of cybernetics in business. A third book, on the subject of freeports and free zones, was published in February 2022, followed shortly after by a book on marine break bulk cargo management. Another book on the topic of international trade and customs risk was published in 2025.

He has also advised several Chambers of Commerce in the United Kingdom on customs, VAT, and international trade issues, frequently delivering consultancy, advice, training courses, and seminars/webinars on these subjects, as well as on tax and revenue risk management and export controls and licensing requirements. He is an accredited trainer in Customs and International Trade for the British Chambers of Commerce and is also an adviser to several other organizations on customs, excise, and VAT procedures pertaining to international trade. He also advises individuals on the use and abuse of artificial intelligence and its effects on business security.