Artificial intelligence, robotics and technology seem to revolutionize everything; however, pure human skills are ...
Artificial intelligence, robotics and technology seem to revolutionize everything; however, pure human skills are the ones that shall enable us to reach sustainable development goals.
By Martín Padulla para staffingamericalatina*
The word “robot” was attributed in 1921 to the Czech writer, Karel Capek. Indeed, in just a few years, this word will turn 100 years old. During the past 95 years, we have read plenty of books and watched lots of movies that fascinated us with the idea of a super-technological (robotic) future that seemed that would never come. While Star Wars became a cult movie, certain scientists thought that, in order to be useful, robots had to interact with humans and that the interaction had to be as natural as possible. Those metal structures, with humanoid features needed an artificial “brain”.
During the 1950s, Joe Engelberg built a prototype, and during the 1960s, he sell the first useful robot in the United States. Maybe it was during the 80s that the first strong warning sign emerged, when robots replaced workers in automotive factories in Japan. The story that followed is well-known to all of us: we began to be surrounded by smart devices. But, surprisingly, with so many smart devices around us, some people still become astonished by robotics, artificial intelligence and the use of algorithms in the labour world.
Clearly, adaptation to change is slow, and fear to the unknown followed by action paralysis may last almost a century.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the way through which computers, robots and other devices perform tasks that usually demand human intelligence. What sort of tasks? Solving certain problems, differentiating objects or responding to clear verbal commands.
AI includes a number of techniques that, through electronic circuits and advanced programs, seek to copy procedures that are similar to inductive and deductive processes in our brain. The basis of these advances is research on human neuronal networks, and the goal is to electronically copy the functioning of the brain.
I like to think this scientifically and technologically rigorous discipline as a fundamentally human activity. The human being is the reference. Maybe it also is the goal or target.
The advances in the investigation of neuronal networks grow exponentially. Deep Blue can beat any chess player because it has a great number of plays programed and it also can learn from its opponent. Therefore, it can anticipate the player’s moves, blocking his/her strategies before they can actually work.
We are in a stage in which machines have been loaded with useful information to be applied in specialized areas. They still are very expensive. But, for how long? The other key enquiry Luddites make is: will machines get all the work?
Our brain has around 10 thousand million neurons. We do not exactly know how they interrelate to “think”, which makes it impossible, for the time being, to reproduce the process in a machine. There are many aspects that differentiate the human brain from the systems developed by AI. Probably, if we analyse these differences we can find the key of the skills that we need to develop:
When we use an ATM we can infer that it is necessary to transform every human teller. Every teller who is anxiously waiting for the checkout time while extremely long queues are formed, must know that the technology to replace their jobs already exists. And that there are other workers who are putting their efforts, intelligence and creativity into developing more functions on existing technology.
The economy is changing, every day, fast and non-stop. Several jobs, particularly those of mid-level productivity, will be obsolete. The AI’s logic is simple: more data means more power for AI’s motors: if they are fed with a neuronal network with the required number of images of a dog, the system will be able to recognize a dog and set it aside from other images. If it is fed with lots of human conversations, it will be capable of keeping a conversation. If it is fed with enough data on vehicles and elements that surround a car, it will be capable of creating a self-driving car. More data, more power. Simple. Conclusive.
The challenge seems to be training kids on skills they will really need, teaching them to think, create, innovate, and making them stronger with values, while transforming those workers who are just entering the labour market by properly understanding technological and human development. In order to achieve this, proactive work to anticipate demand is necessary, as well as generating training opportunities that are efficient and disruptive.
The technology available lets us think a near future with more “smart” buildings, with doors that open to the sound of our voices; sensors that will let us save energy as they will turn the lights off when there is no one in the room and adjust the temperature at home and at the workspace; and with smart devices that shall activate with our voices. It enables us to imagine what society life will be like in the next few years, as well as what will be the most interesting professions and trades.
The real question is what will happen with those people who have no access to education and technology. Will technology and AI only serve minorities or will it be a democratic and inclusive tool, aligned with the environment, creating a better life for more people? Should the later be the case, that artificial thing will certainly be intelligence.
Elon Musk, founder of Tesla and SpaceX, and Sam Altman, CEO of Y Combinator, expressed their concern about the future of AI and developed OpenAI, a Company that offers its patents without paying royalties.
In Argentina and Colombia, Arbusta provides services for the digital economy, creating jobs for young people who are not working or studying. World-class digital services delivered with passion by people who used to be invisible for the labour market.
There are organizations focused on transforming work to eliminate poverty. Creating human capital to make the most of technological development. Organizations that have understand that the future of work seems to be in those tasks that are not routine and that demand brains and AI with a purpose that includes everything.
Latin America has the chance of increasing human skills and using AI to reach sustainable development goals.
This shall not be up to robots. It is linked to human brains, hearts and hands.
About Martin Padulla
Founder and Managing Director of staffingamericalatina. Martin Padulla is Sociologist (USAL), MBA (UCA) and labour markets expert. He published “Flexible Work in South America” and “Regulatory framework for private employment agencies in Latin America” two books about the new realities of work in Latin America.
mpadulla@staffingamericalatina.com
About staffingamericalatina
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