When buzzwords like ‘Artificial Intelligence’ and ‘Machine Learning’ are the latest office topic, do you A) nod awkwardly and quickly google ‘AI’, or B) churn out a mention of Tesla and Elon Musk,or C) confidently state that most jobs will be executed by robots in 30 years?
If you chose a) or b) this article is for you. If you chose c) this article if for you too.
What is Artificial Intelligence, really?
The chances are that you are already using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your everyday life. If you use SIRI, use a GPS or watch Netflix, AI is in play. AI is making the decisions for you, based on the data it is being fed. These applications are your ‘virtual assistants.’ For example, Spotify registers the type of music you download and will suggest similar genres in their Discover Weekly playlist. Whenever you use a GPS app to navigate your around, AI has a hand in the route it suggests. The app uses an extensive amount of data from smartphones about speed, routes and traffic incidents. When you are calling an Uber, both the pricing and the car that matches your ride request is decided by AI.
Artificial Intelligence vs. Machine Learning
Loosely translated AI is computing hardware that can think for itself, and make decisions based on the data algorithm. It performs tasks usually limited to humans. Some things you used to have to do yourself or call someone about, or visit a physical location for help with, can now be easily done with and by a computer.
Machine learning is one application of AI, whereas AI is a broader concept that has other uses as well. Simply put, machine learning is a process by which a computer can learn a skill as opposed to artificial intelligence, which refers to a computer that can “think” for itself without being programmed to do so.
Will Artificial Intelligence Take Over The World?
There is a common Myth that Robots will dominate people, and we’ll be under the command of artificial intelligence… but unless we start living a sci-fi movie, AI can’t be evil; AI only responds to what it has been programmed to do.
AI can also save people considerable time, money and error margins.
Does Artificial Intelligence Have Human Characteristics?
Although AI can perform almost all of what we can do for a certain job, it doesn’t mean it also possesses human qualities and characteristics. There are some programmes that do feature a bit of emotion and character, like Siri and Amazon Alexa, but this is not organic. They are wired to respond in certain ways to display some ‘humanness’.
Will AI Replace Human Jobs?
The million-dollar question! Probably. “Most jobs will be done by robots within 30 years leading to unemployment rates greater than 50 percent,” according to Professor Moshe Vardi of Rice University. Many academics studying the field believe that ‘technological unemployment’ will open the door to a future where work is something people do for pleasure, not out of necessity.
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Original Article first appeared on www.standardmedia.co.ke