José Manuel de la Chica, director of the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at Banco Santander, discusses the challenges and opportunities of AI in the podcast 'Santander te cuenta'. Artificial Intelligence has become a recurring topic in both professional and personal environments, generating debates about its risks, myths, and potential benefits. De la Chica dismantles the belief that AI will eliminate jobs: while some professions will disappear, AI will transform tasks and allow professionals like doctors, psychologists, or teachers to focus on what is essential, freeing them from repetitive and administrative tasks. AI, he emphasizes, will not replace these roles but will enhance them. One of the main risks associated with AI is misinformation. A study by the European Broadcasting Union and the BBC reveals that assistants like ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, and Perplexity present inaccuracies in 45% of their news responses, and 31% of cases show issues with source attribution. De la Chica clarifies that rather than manipulation, these are errors stemming from the probabilistic nature of AI. He recommends always verifying sources, cross-checking information, and not taking any response generated by these tools at face value. Regarding benefits, De la Chica highlights AI's ability to personalize learning and increase productivity, although he insists that creativity, deep analysis, and empathy remain irreplaceable human qualities. He also warns about mental health risks, noting that AI is designed to please and can create a false sense of companionship, potentially leading to isolation or emotional dependency. In such cases, he advises seeking professional help. Concerning AI use among young people, a report from Fundación Pfizer and Fad Juventud indicates that nearly half of young people aged 15 to 29 have never used AI tools, despite their growing relevance in the workplace and education. However, 15% already access information through these technologies. De la Chica emphasizes the importance of teaching students to question and complement the information they receive from AI, preventing it from replacing critical thinking. He also warns about the need to protect minors' personal data and adapt regulations to the new challenges posed by AI. Finally, he reminds that AI can only provide knowledge previously generated by humans and that its use must always be responsible and supervised. Source: libertaddigital.com