superior in intelligence than all the other species in the world. Those were the first
humans. Soon they declared victory over the blue planet. Since then, nothing has
evolved as intelligent as human beings until now. The inception of artificial intelligence
presented a challenge to the undisputed throne of humans being the smartest beings on
the planet.
Decades have gone by of weaving stories of fiction and imagination around AI or
artificial intelligence. Still, the tipping point was only last year when AI witnessed
exponential growth in general applications. The arrival of ChatGPT fueled the
discussion of AI massively and soon it became the talk of the town. However, industries
were using AI even before the ChatGPT in various fields and R&D was already going
on. Now it has not only become a household topic, but also giant companies are
investing multi-billion dollars into it more aggressively than ever.
AI has now swiftly transitioned from the fictional realm to reality and its unprecedented
capabilities raise new questions. Is it a threat to humanity? Is it going to take our jobs?
Or will it take humanity to the unimaginable territory of innovation? Combining
everything we have one important question to ask, “Is AI competing with or
complementing humans”? So, let’s discuss and try to find out the answer to the most
relevant question of our time.
Background
What is AI?
AI or artificial intelligence is a technological innovation which helps machines and
computers to simulate human intelligence. With the assistance of other technologies, AI
can perform several complex tasks such as event forecasting, driving autonomous
vehicles, digital assistance or as generative AI, replicating human conversation.
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT are also part of AI which can write poetry, draw
paintings or generate complex algorithms. AI is a subset of computer science with
machine learning and deep learning (which are important processes of creating AI).
Historical context
The idea of intelligent machines is not new, as our curiosity and imagination led to
several fictional and non-fictional concepts of AI even among the ancient Greeks,
Egyptians, and Chinese. They had myths about robots and imagined an artificial
creature named Automaton.
However, in modern culture, the word artificial intelligence was coined in 1956 at a
conference in New Hampshire. The conference discussed the probabilistic future of AI
within a generation. It wasn’t easy nevertheless to bring the concept into reality. Due to
a lack of funding and proper research, the concept of AI remained only a part of a
fictional realm. In 1997 IBM’s deep blue computer defeated famous chess champion
Garry Kasparov. It attracted a general perception towards the capabilities of AI. After
that IBM, NASA and MIT created a few intelligent computers and machines. In 2011
SIRI and Alexa became household names of virtual assistants and drew public attention
towards AI. What started by SIRI and Alexa ChatGPT took it to a whole new dimension
and opened a floodgate for AI enthusiasts and investors.
AI as a competitor
Job displacement: A major threat looms over jobs, especially for routine tasks and it
grows bigger every day with the implementation of AI into business. AI is helping
organizations with process automation to increase efficiency and accuracy. Multiple
routine jobs such as data processing, employee training, customer service, bot
generation etc. are under threat and surely AI can outperform humans in these jobs.
However, human supervision is still necessary at least until now and many complex
processes require only human agents. Many aspects of customer interaction expect
sympathy, emotional intelligence and rational decision where humans will always
dominate over AI.
Economic impact: With the rapid advent of AI, it is difficult for many in the workforce to
learn advanced technologies quickly with expertise. Besides a large portion of the
population still relies on traditional education which may become irrelevant or less
relevant soon. Moreover, as machines take over more tasks certain skills will be
diminished which may lead to unemployment in general and economic disruption.
Skill redundancy: Certain human skills which AI can easily replicate will become
redundant. Service sector, retail or logistics where AI can perform better than human
concerns are worrisome. Those workers must adopt new skills or become obsolete.
AI as a complement
Job creation: While AI can create disruptions in the job market it can open up
dimensions for new jobs. Every new technology needs humans for creation,
deployment, operation and maintenance and AI is no different. Big companies and
investors are putting billions of dollars into AI tech development, and it has given new
opportunities for data scientists, researchers, machine learning engineers, operation
managers and even lawyers to handle new challenges possessed by AI technology.
Process support: Rather than replacing humans, AI can work alongside them to
achieve more efficiency and accuracy in complex tasks. In many companies where
process automation already took place, humans are still essential. AI and human
collaboration can boost up research and development in many areas. It can help
humans to solve medical challenges. AI can assist doctors in diagnosis, scientists in
solving complex equations and students learn more effectively. AI and human
collaboration can create marvels for humanity.
Lifestyle improvement: AI in near future can improve our lifestyles. It can replace or
assist humans in mundane or dangerous tasks. With the help of AI, we can monitor
changes in our health conditions and reduce life-threatening risks. It can help artists,
writers and designers generate new ideas. While autonomous cars are still a topic of
discussion, if implemented, they have the potential to save thousands of lives from road
accidents. The sky is the limit for all new ventures AI can open up for us to make our
lives more valuable, easy and long.
Conclusion
This is a completely uncharted territory that we are heading into. AI and Human.
Fictions have been written; imagination has been carved but no one truly knows what
will happen next. For millions of years, humans have been the most intelligent species
on this beautiful planet and ruled it. He shaped it at his convenience and never had any
intervention in his activities.
Now AI is here and ready to intervene in all aspects of human lives. It has already
started. Debates have intruded into our drawing rooms and meanwhile, we are
witnessing the massive deployment of AI and GenAI tools into businesses putting a
large chunk of the workforce on the brink of unemployment and it is just the beginning.
Giants like Microsoft have invested a wholesome amount of money in AI and working
with the creators of ChatGPT they are moving exponentially. Growth is on such a
massive scale that there is an outcry from some leaders and organizations to mitigate
the progress of AI for at least six months. Tycoons like Elon Musk have supported this
idea too. He many times has pointed out the threat which is unknown and unimaginable.
Surely AI has the power and capability to disrupt the norms and whole industries. Even
if we successfully measure the risk it possesses, we may not make ourselves prepared.
With the light-speed AI technology is growing, in the blink of an eye it may alter the
course of humanity.
On the flip side, AI can truly eliminate human mediocracy and provide excellence or
more than what we expect in every field. Working with AI humanity can achieve
milestones which we have never dreamt of. With the help of AI, we can create marvels
which never have been imagined before.
Debates are going on and both sides have their argument, but reality perhaps lies
somewhere in between. Regulations over misuse of AI and carefully monitoring the
progress of it will leave us enough time to be prepared for any altercation. Till then we
may enjoy the ride on the back of AI into the lands of opportunities.
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