Our artificial future
The effects robots and artificial intelligence will have on humanity
Robots and artificial intelligence are some of the most controversial topics that we as humans fear or impatiently await the arrival of.
Well, firstly, what are robots and artificial intelligence?
Artificial intelligence is a computer program that is used to mimic the tasks we humans complete (hopefully much more efficiently), while robots are the machinery designed to complete tasks done by humans that usually require more muscular movements.
Let's start with how robots will affect us
Robots are adapting to new responsibilities as a result of them being created in new sizes and shapes we have never seen before. But these pieces of technology will only be widespread throughout the world if they offer an economic, effort, or time advantage to the user.
An example of a positive implication of robots that we see in society today is in farms. There, robots are used to milk cows leaving less work for farmers to do and more time for other less repetitive tasks.
But, some people are looking at this next step in technology in a negative light and are questioning how robots will really provide us with advantages.
As robots become a bigger part of the world, in the future, some predict many people will lose their jobs. In fact, by 2030, 25% of jobs that are traditionally occupied by humans will be replaced by the work of artificial intelligence that most likely powers things like robots.
Along with this, many people will have to adapt their lifestyle and daily working life to the changes that will come with these technologies.
Now, I’m not saying this to scare you. In fact, I feel that many have the wrong perception of what artificial intelligence and robots will do for us in the future.
How will Artificial Intelligence Effect Society?
Technology has always been put in place to improve our lives. Artificial intelligence is no different. Not only will companies and people around the world save money by using this emerging technology, but artificial intelligence also has the capability to do a lot of different things, including, saving lots of lives. Many see the potential for a more personalized healthcare system with the introduction of AI. Similarly, by no longer needing people to sift through data, we as humans will be responsible for completing more creative and person-oriented tasks.
One of the most amazing things about artificial intelligence is that it’s an umbrella technology. So what does this mean? Take a look at this poster:
Let’s look at some of the more interesting types of artificial intelligence (in my opinion):
- Neural Networks
- Machine Learning
- Natural Language Processing
Neural Networks
Neural networks quite simply, are pattern identifiers. This type of artificial intelligence is capable of being used to predict future trends in the stock market or the health of patients around the world.
Machine Learning
Machine learning is powered through something we humans hate sifting through, data. This is why machine learning is one of the most exciting aspects of artificial intelligence as it (arguably) most accurately mimics humans in the jobs we do. This is because the program develops knowledge by doing a certain task with the more data it is given.
Natural Language Processing
The name says it all with this one! Natural language processing deals with the understanding and application of the languages we as humans speak.
Why will Robots and Artificial Intelligence make our Lives Better?
One of the best ways to predict the future is to analyze the past. We’ve seen the effect exponential technologies have had on people before. One of the greatest examples was with ERMA, which revolutionized the world of business. No longer did tedious tasks such as updating and managing account balances require multiple people to complete.
Many expected that because of this upcoming technology employment across America would decrease. Despite these perceptions, employment increased as ERMA created new jobs that would focus on less repetitive tasks.
With this knowledge, we are capable of having an understanding of how robots and artificial will have a similar impact on society. No longer will the jobs of radiologists, construction workers, cashiers, pharmacists, or nurses be the same in many countries around the world with the introduction of robots and artificial intelligence into society.
A great example of the impact robotics is having in industries around the world right now is in the pharmaceutical field. In Platte Valley Pharmacy, using robots allowed the volume of prescribed medications to increase by 50%. This allowed pharmacists working in the pharmacy to focus on tasks that are more human-oriented like diabetic shoe fitting.
Artificial Intelligence in Business
Artificial intelligence and its uses in business is one of the most exciting aspects of this technology. Not only can investors use things like neural networks to predict future trends in the stock market, but artificial intelligence can automate the entire bookkeeping process of companies around the world. I predict that the field of business will be one of the fields that go through the biggest changes due to technology over the next few years and artificial intelligence will play a big part in this.
Robots in our everyday lives
Similarly, robots will also develop over time along with other technologies. What will make robots so special is how they will be able to converge with other technologies like artificial intelligence to become more autonomous and useful to humans. One specific convergence of technologies I see is between robots and brain computer-interface. Imagine, in a few years, with these two technologies we are able to build a city in a day with just our minds and the help of robots!
