When Machines Take the Reins
To what degree is Artificial Intelligence (AI) fundamentally transforming our approach to work? Will AI shape the manner and location of work? In the past decade, academic papers, consultancy reports, and news articles have increased regarding the potential effects of AI on work, generating both utopian and dystopian visions of the future workplace. The potential of AI to revolutionize labor demand, the character of work, and operational infrastructures lies in its ability to rapidly and efficiently resolve intricate challenges. Nonetheless, notwithstanding the abundance of reports and studies, AI remains a puzzling phenomenon, a recently developed technology whose pace of implementation and ramifications for the framework of labor are merely gaining recognition.
Although economic analysis often emphasizes the potential of AI to boost innovation, productivity, output, and labor demand, alternative research places greater emphasis on concerns such as job displacement, surveillance, encoded and systemic biases, and surveillance. The potential for automation and AI to generate mass unemployment remains a subject of continuous debate, as does the precise magnitude of labor displacement that could occur (Acemoglu and Restrepo, 2017; Autor, 2015; Brynjolfsson and McAfee, 2017).
According to Oxford University scholars Frey and Osborne (2017), as many as 47% of jobs in the United States will be “highly vulnerable” to computerization by the early 2030s. However, an Arntz et al. (2016) study from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) refutes this estimate, stating that only 9% of jobs in the OECD are automatable. Interestingly, a limited number of studies endeavor to ascertain the conditions in which displacement could supersede growth-induced increases in labor demand. Acemoglu and Restrepo (2020) examine this in their Special Issue of CJRES. They discuss the potential for productivity gains to surpass the displacement effect in the context of the “appropriate” form of AI. Furthermore, they assert that governments are more likely to contribute positively to social outcomes by actively influencing the trajectory of AI.
Discourse has led to the conflation of terms including “AI,” “machine learning,” and “automation,” not only in popular publications but also in scholarly articles. Dignam (2020) reminds us that from this point forward, only science fiction has explored the concept of AI as a conscious human consciousness. In numerous respects, AI has come to represent a vast array of technological advancements in the workplace. Existing literature in the fields of services (Brooks et al., 2020; Susskind and Susskind, 2015) and manufacturing (Waldman-Brown, 2020) indicates that when referring to novel automation applications, small business owners and managers may inadvertently use the term “AI.” In other words, various technological manifestations of automation and machine learning are regarded as AI, even though their application is comparatively restricted in scope. Moreover, evaluating the business consulting industry’s development projections for artificial intelligence is difficult and frequently appear exaggerated (they are linear extrapolations of current trends). We do not view these consultancies as impartial observers of technological adoption; we view them as significant agents that influence the demand for and implementation of AI in the workplace.
Origins of AI
Uncertainty surrounds the current preoccupation with advancing technologies, such as AI, machine learning, and automation, including their nature, operation, lineage about previous technological generations, and interrelationships. AI is a collection of technologies capable of replicating intelligent human behavior. Although there are numerous possible interpretations of this term, we will briefly define it as such. An application of AI, machine learning enables systems to acquire knowledge and enhance themselves through experience without requiring explicit programming.
Machine learning is concerned with the development of programs capable of autonomously learning from data.
Automation is a technological framework that empowers a machine to execute a predetermined process by utilizing programmable commands and feedback controls to ensure the process conforms to the programmed guidelines. Presently in use, the convergence of these three technological capabilities is revolutionizing labor and operational procedures throughout the vast array of industries that comprise the contemporary economy.
Further Developments in AI
Profound developments have occurred in the past decade due to advances in computational power and the development of more sophisticated algorithms that empower scientists to analyze vast quantities of unstructured data. The correlation lies in using machine learning methods, which encompass statistical techniques that enable unprogrammed computers and algorithms to acquire knowledge, make predictions, and execute operations on massive datasets. Robotics frequently employs limited forms of AI and other digital technologies for data processing. Programmed and trained to perform particular tasks through interaction with the physical environment (e.g., object movement, transformation, rearrangement, or joining).
The Employment Growth Debate
It is necessary to evaluate AI’s application in providing products and services to determine whether it generates employment opportunities or eliminates them. Labor productivity rates in most G7 nations have remained stagnant or sluggish since the 2008 global financial crisis. Certain nations, such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany, have observed remarkably modest growth rates in labor productivity. Conversely, peripheral Baltic and Eastern European countries have exhibited considerably higher labor productivity rates.
Defining Human Intelligence
Embarking on the journey to replicate human intelligence is a pursuit that has captivated minds for decades. In the narrative of “Brahmoids – Story of My Mother Earth” by Bhushan Kerur, the quest for artificial intelligence echoes the multifaceted nature of human intellect. Human intelligence encompasses various activities, from basic computation and data processing to intricate pattern recognition. It involves problem-solving, judgment application, creativity, and the ability to communicate the outcomes of cognitive processes. Alan Turing, a pivotal figure showcased the early potential of machines to emulate human thought processes during the Second World War.
Alan Turing’s Trailblazing Contribution
Turing’s ingenuity shone through in the wartime scenario as he outwitted the German coding machine, The Enigma, a feat pivotal for British and American Naval operations. Turing’s post-war endeavors led to the development of computers, with his 1950 paper laying the groundwork for understanding how machines could simulate human thinking. The echoes of Turing’s work resonate in the overarching theme of “Brahmoids,” where the pursuit of replicating human intelligence takes center stage.
Drudge Work to AI Evolution
The automation challenges surfaced in the 1950s, paralleling AI and machine learning advancements. Notably, the inception of AI stemmed from the need to mechanize complex mathematical calculations during the Second World War. Often overlooked in historical narratives, women were pivotal in this phase. Tasked with the programming work that laid the foundation for the first computers, these women translated human intelligence into machine language. In “Brahmoids,” the book’s narrative unfolds the intricate dance between human intelligence and the burgeoning field of AI.
AI’s Evolutionary Trajectory
The post-war era witnessed the formalization of the quest to replicate human intelligence. Social scientist Herbert Simon and computer scientist Allen Newell were instrumental in outlining the logical framework that foresaw machines approaching the cognitive capacities of the human brain. “Brahmoids – Story of My Mother Earth” mirrors this trajectory, depicting technological advances in AI, from specific task execution to sophisticated abilities like visual and speech recognition, pattern analysis of unstructured data, and decision-making based on accumulated experience and real-time information.
“Brahmoids” and the AI Odyssey
In the context of “Brahmoids,” the narrative intertwines with the historical quest for artificial intelligence. Dr. Seymone’s endeavors to create pseudo-humans echo the persistent exploration of replicating human intelligence. The book’s theme resonates with the challenges and triumphs faced by pioneers like Turing, emphasizing the intricate journey from basic computation to machines demonstrating problem-solving skills akin to the human mind.
Bhushan Kerur – The Man Behind This Book
Bhushan Kerur commenced his professional trajectory at Fairchild Corp, signifying his foray into the ever-evolving realm of Silicon Valley. Throughout the past forty years, Bhushan has participated in the continuously developing technology field. His extensive background in cybersecurity demonstrates his dedication to the critical field of safeguarding digital environments.
Bhushan’s extensive professional experience in both public and private sectors, encompassing diverse organizational positions, has endowed him with a profound comprehension of the technological transformations that have shaped the sector. One can observe his remarkable ability to adjust to the swift progression of technology through his consistent eagerness to acquire and apply novel insights.