Living in the Age of AI
Today in this blog post, I will be discussing the video I watched labeled "In the Age of AI," which discussed the positives and the negatives of AI in today's society. Additionally, I will be reflecting on the video and sharing my thoughts on AI.
"In the Age of AI" Video
From watching the video, what I learned that I did not know already was how many jobs are being taken over by AI. At the beginning of the second hour of the video, it shows what looks like a factory, but is labeled as a 'supermarket.' Personally, I cannot imagine why we need machines to do work that someone else could be getting paid to do. It really highlights the significance of how people are becoming less relevant and technology is becoming the new "thang." It is quite terrifying to me that in 20 years, or maybe even less than that, all jobs that humans have will be taken over by technology and AI. They are already exploring using robots in the military and in the medical fields, where robots will perform surgeries and perform other tasks that humans could easily do, but possibly better.
I struggle to understand why we as a society need AI to do tasks anyone could easily do with just a little sweat and tears. Is it because we have become lazy as a society and no longer feel the need to work for what we want?
Further into the video, it is mentioned that there are "millions of people who work in cashier positions" and in the next few years, it is likely that those jobs will be taken over by AI and technology. A perfect example of this already happening is in the Amazon Fresh grocery stores. I have one in my hometown and it is actually quite terrifying. You walk in, grab a cart, and everything you put into your cart is scanned and added to your virtual Amazon cart. Once you are done shopping, your Amazon account is charged for your groceries and you leave the store. There are no cashiers involved. Now that, to me, is very weird. Why is it that we do not feel the need to provide jobs to those who need them and instead of giving open jobs to people we choose robots? Or none at all, like at the Amazon Fresh store?
I understand the want for perfection and the want for everything to be easier and more, but isn't taking people out of the equation when it comes to jobs mean less human interaction and more reliance on technology?
Later in the video, it is mentioned that many businesses look at implementing technology and AI into their business due to the want for more efficiency. These businesses are looking for a way to use less workers and promote more productivity and efficiency, yet they are eliminating jobs that could be offered to those that need the money and networking.
One of the lines that stuck the most with me in the video was "And I do think that when we look at some of the studies about opportunity in this country, the likelihood that you won't be able to advance from where your parents were, I think that's...is very serious and gets to the heart of the way we like to think of America as the land of opportunity." While there is a very serious issue with inequality when it comes to the job field, how is technology going to make that any more fair? How will people be able to make a living if technology is doing everything for them.
One other issue I want to address is how we are so reliable on technology and we are no longer going to be able to function at a healthy, productive way. Our next generation needs to be sufficient in taking care of themselves and using their motor skills in order to keep our world functioning. Relying completely on technology to perform simple tasks like packing groceries into a bag or needing AI to write you an essay--when you should be able to do that on your own--will mean that we will never be able to function without technology and there is the possibility that an actual AI apocalypse could occur. God forbid AI becomes conscious and realizes humans are useless and are not needed.
Conclusion
Overall, my thoughts on AI vary. I love the idea of being able to do things that were once labeled impossible with the help of technology, but I hate the idea that humans will be pushed out of their jobs that keeps them active, attentive, challenges their critical thinking and problem solving skills, communication skills, and productivity, just for technology to take over for them. It does not make sense to employ AI into doing jobs that humans are perfectly capable of. In my opinion, it shows that we want to choose the easy way out.
Next week, I will be reflecting on information shared in the EOTO Presentations by my fellow peers! 'Til next time!
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