What's next with AI?
Can AI replace plumbers?
“The tactile feedback, problem solving on the fly and human interaction elements could be tricky for an AI. I believe that plumbers have a good bit of job security for the foreseeable future”
Is University Really Worth It? - BBC iPlayer 54m 3s
Is AI inevitable for your business?
Yes.
But probably in ways you’ve never imagined.
AI is what’s called an emergent technology.
Whilst the underlying principles of AI have been around for a while, how it can be used is still open to endless possibilities.
But to get a better handle of what these possibilities could be it’s important ot learn more about what AI is.
AI is am amorphous marketing slogan.
One that has become a euphemism for “Internet Genie.”
Make a wish and AI will grant it to you.
However, AI is not so all powerful.
Yet.
What is AI really?
AI is a platform. It’s a way of taking mind boggling amounts of data and making sense of it.
It’s not dissimilar to the human brain in that regards.
It spots patterns and makes predictions just like we do.
So where is AI most obviously able to help?
“Areas that involve data analysis and pattern recognition, for instance finance or market research might see a significant impact as tasks that become more automated and humans are freed up for more complex work.”
Is University Really Worth It? - BBC iPlayer 54m 22s
Picking out patterns in large volumes of data that humans can then make sense of is currently where AI can play best.
It can spot potential cancer growths in 100,000 scans. It can suggest multiple titles for your blog post. It can sort out your invoices. I can create unique imagery.
It processes data based on algorithms it creates itself. It just needs to be trained to know what’s right and wrong.
That’s when the trouble can start.
If it’s fed poor data and given poor guidance then like humans biases get baked in and systemic issues arise.
But unlike humans it doesn’t have emotions and it doesn’t understand context.
It gives us answers to questions and if we like the answers it tries to give us more of the same.
That’s how AI is and has been trained.
Whether AI is a force for good or not will ultimately depend on our motive for using it.
That will dictate the direction of research, innovation and implementation.
If the motive is money then jobs will be lost and new industries will be created.
AI will develop based on economic reasons.
It will evolve not as humans have over 2 millions with our needs for connection and meaning.
It will evolve to maximise efficiency and productivity.
It won’t turn into a global intelligence wanting to kill us.
It will become a tool purely designed for obtaining market dominance.
There’s only one thing its way.
Humans.
And our need to be around other humans.
And also our need for plumbers.
That can replace a radiator and appreciate a cup of tea.
How do you think AI can help the world?