What the “Fuss” over A.I ?

[holyghost_1985]

The best thing about writing on “Digital being”  and not precisely an IT expert is that the reader gets to the point, rather than unfolding mystery wrapped in cheesy techie terminologies and so on. By no means the prologue had anything to do with the intellect of our IT experts. It is just that as a reader first and later a writer, words somehow become programs overloaded with “coding” which has no amusement to put it more gently.

               So AI or Machine Learning (ML)! I will go with the latter as I read it almost two decades back, and feel more comfortable to keep it as a not so new  phenomena. However, it is true that post COVID world has evolved in a entirely different manner, with work at will (call it work from home) or free lancing emerging as a rationale choice amongst Gen-Z. Lucky they, we old gang did really miss out on this luxury addicted to 9-5.

                Shall we fear ML? is it my friend or a foe? These questions do keep myself and millions awake in recent times, and the antithesis to ML overtaking human utility is getting weaker with every passing day. Driver less cars, next is planes, drones already have made piloting a tough job on battle field, home assistant and the list goes on. Will ML conquer? Let’s dig in.

               Machines of our time, or gadgets are learning way too much, and way too quick as compared to us. Simply because the technology has evolved, and there are way too many “super computers” than super human as we look around.

Conviction: The most pressing and imminent risk is for repetitive and non innovative tasks. This doesn’t mean that those engaged are not hard workers, it is just that the age we live in calls for smart workers rather than hard workers. So is Jack a hard or smart worker, that wonderful young man down the street who serves me my morning caffeine with a larger than life smile. Tough ask but yes he has a competition to look for. He is 26 or so, didn’t do well in grades, and seems like too satisfied with what seems to be his second full time job. He is a painter too, saw him drawing on a sketchbook out of the window last summers. Told me he underwent some professional coaching too. That’s unique, that’s his power gig and less time however more intense concentration can stand him out amongst other. Lets confess, how many around us can call themselves artist? Ofcourse 1 in 10 I will assume.

               “For Granted” roles need to listen and read carefully. Diversify, explore, take a chance for this is the right time to discover what special we have, and that specialty will matter rather than a role. As a writer, one must understand that the content from the mind needs to have due effort and perfection to stand out, amongst other human writers let along machines. Masterpieces will be made, and read whereas relatively more content will be published and forgotten, being ordinary or routine.

Conclusion:  From the classic definition of machine, it increase efficiency and intensity of a work for which it has been designed whereas new challenges will require upgradation from the previous one. That’s where we all in our roles need to set new benchmark at every step. AI vs Human, the debate goes on.    

                  

                

   

[mark_sgp]

I will assert that AI is a facilitator for completing work more efficiently, if used correctly. Whether it is more effective than a human in undertaking the same tasks, with the same objectives, in the same required timeframe remains a matter of debate in many situations, and is limited by the sophistication of the (human-created) algorithm which drives the AI.

I think AI has proven its worth in repetitive, mundane, and/or dangerous tasks -- such as floor cleaning, product transportation/delivery, assembly line and warehousing automation, skyscraper window washing, nuclear facilities maintenance and monitoring, diagnostic heuristics in the medical field, etc. It also has potential in graphic design, and research documentation. However, there is still need for human oversight and review of outcomes produced by AI.  AI can be prone to malfunction -- deliberate or accidental -- and requires periodic maintenance and calibration checking.

Of course, Hollywood and the media are among the first to sensationalize AI as something potentially sinister that will take over the world, subjugate the human race, destroy jobs and livelihoods, and/or cause the destruction of the planet and the human race...or in the sense of cockeyed optimism, pass it off as a revolutionary cure and panacea for the world's problems.  Like any other technological advancement, there will always be skeptics, late adopters, and "Luddites"...and "cheerleaders". Old jobs and careers may in fact disappear, but new ones will arise. New market demands will arise, new practical applications of once only theoretical musings will come to reality.

 

[mandyzines]

57 minutes ago, mark_sgp said:

Hollywood and the media are among the first to sensationalize AI as something potentially sinister that will take over the world, subjugate the human race, destroy jobs and livelihoods...or in the sense of cockeyed optimism, pass it off as a revolutionary cure and panacea for the world's problems

No, the ruling class fly their private jets to a very remote location to discuss it every year over plates of filet mignon and kobe https://www.youtube.com/@wef/search?query=yuval

Then members fund initiatives and companies like Fiverr to implement aspects of it. 

Edited May 24 by mandyzines

[mark_sgp]