Rise Of The Robots: Humanity And The Automation Age
Jaja Wallace June 23, 2017
Automation is on the rise in the twenty first century work place. Many jobs once performed by people are now completely computerized. Business enterprises will always go for what is most cost effective. Therefore companies are investing thousands in robotic parts that will save them millions in the long run. For now, most jobs affected involve doing repetitive tasks which require minimum skill, pay minimum wage and bring no long term financial security. Nevertheless, in these cases displacement could have severe repercussions. As artificial intelligence advances it is likely that persons in all industries will be directly or indirectly affected.
Contract manufacturer Foxconn which produces approximately 40% of all consumer electronics, recently replaced 60,000 factory workers with robots. [1]
Foxconn's major customers include: Acer, Amazon, Apple, Blackberry, Cisco, Dell, Google, Hewlett-Packard, Huawei, InFocus, Intel, Microsoft, Motorola Mobility, Nintendo, Nokia, Sony, Toshiba, Vizio and Xiaomi.
This year Dubai revealed their first robot police officer who has been given the task of patrolling malls. The officer is equipped with a touchscreen chest that people may use to report crimes, pay fines and get information. They aim to make 25% of the force robots by 2030. [2]
An end to corrupt cops in the foreseeable future or more inhumane police brutality?
This trend has spurned much debate among technology experts. Here are some of their views.
Elon Musk – Founder of SpaceX, Co-Founder of Tesla, Inc. and OpenAI Elon.
In 2014 During an interview at MIT AeroAstro Centennial Symposium Elon Musk said:
I think we should be very careful about artificial intelligence. If I had to guess at what our biggest existential threat is, it's probably that. So we need to be very careful with artificial intelligence.
I'm increasingly inclined to think that there should be some regulatory oversight, maybe at the national and international level, just to make sure that we don't do something very foolish. With artificial intelligence we're summoning the demon. You know those stories where there's the guy with the pentagram, and the holy water, and he's like — Yeah, he's sure he can control the demon? Doesn't work out. [3]
However, at the World Government Summit in Dubai Musk also said:
Humans must merge with machinery in order to stay relevant in a world of increasingly advanced artificial intelligence.
He also added that the speed at which humans transmit data is limited and proposed instead a high bandwidth connection to the human brain which would allow people to transmit digital information faster than typing.
Mark Zuckerberg – Co-founder of Facebook
While giving a speech at Harvard University Mark Zuckerberg said:
Today, technology and automation are eliminating many jobs, membership in a lot of communities has been declining.
Our generation is going to have to deal with tens of millions of jobs replaced by automation like self-driving cars and trucks.
Zuckerberg stressed that finding one's purpose isn't enough in this era and the challenge for this generation is to create a world where everyone has a sense of purpose. [4]
Stephen Hawking – Physicist and Nobel Prize winner.
In a BBC interview Hawking said:
The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race. [5]
Steve Wozniak – Co-Founder of Apple Inc. Apple I developer, Apple II co-developer. Pioneer of the personal computer revolution with Steve Jobs.
During an interview at AppsWorld Germany in 2015 Wozniak said:
Once you get intelligent you start thinking for yourself. You think independently and if we've got all the machines thinking for themselves then eventually they're just going to decide oh here's some better rules we can follow and maybe we don't need the humans that much.[6]
Robots have started to make their way into the creative industry. Robots that can write and draw have already been developed. A group of robotic arms collectively called Paul was developed at the University Of London Goldsmith's College by Patric Tresset. Currently these machines are not as creative as human artists but they are getting more advanced by the day. The robots are controlled by a laptop brain and have different artistic styles. One even does abstract art. [7]
You might not have realized it but some of the articles you have read online could have been written by robots. (Not anything here, all articles here are my own organic thoughts.)
Multinational news agency the Associated Press now uses an automated reporting platform called wordsmith to cover more than 10,000 minor league baseball games annually. Bloomberg, New York Times and Los Angeles Times have also started experimenting with robot writers. [8]
End of libel lawsuits?
Least Affected
Industries least affected will be those based on warmth, compassion, human interaction and human support. Therapists, psychologists, energy healers, massage therapists will be least affected. People come to these industries to connect with someone, who has experience and warmth. These industries are built on organic human connection.
Scientists are working daily to make robots more human like and after a while there could be no external difference between a humanoid robot and a human being. However some people will always want the organic experience.
First solders used to fly in planes.
Then solders started remotely controlling drones.
Now scientists are working on jets that can fly themselves.
In the future humans might be completely out of the picture when it comes to warfare. The only role of a human might be to give oral commands. The Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) is a computer program being developed by DARPA. The aim of the program is to make a jet fly on its own. ALIAS has been doing independent test flights for years. If the program is successful it will completely remove the human element.
Are we then going to reach a place where robots are waging war against robots on behalf of battling governments?
Staying Relevant
The automation invasion could be light years away or just around the corner. Or has it already taken place in more subtle ways? In this fast paced automated world where technology in all forms reigns supreme it is important to look within.
The human body is far more advanced than all the technology combined.
Connect With People
Whatever industry you are in be sure to connect with your audience on a personal level.
A few ways to connect:
Do interviews.
Do live streams.
Have a business number.
Host events.
Join organizations that are relevant to your industry.
See your audience as your extended family and not your customers. Family will support you and treasure your perspective and methods over artificial intelligence.
Express Your Emotions and Uniqueness
Express your emotions and uniqueness through your craft. So called flaws and imperfections enhance the human experience so embrace them. Whenever the opportunity arises express your emotional energy. Let people see your emotions, go raw without a filter.
If Your Job Will Be Automated
If you're in a job that you suspect will be automated in the near future then take full advantage of it while searching for something you really love to do. Once you find it do it on the side while keeping your main job. With persistence you can make additional income on the side. Over time extra earnings will increase and you may jump ship when your current one starts to sink.
If you're in a job that you suspect will be automated but you are convinced that it is your calling then keep sharpening your skills. Instead of opposing the automation in your industry, study, dominate it and use it to your advantage. You may even consider investing in it.
If Robots Make Everything…
In the future if robots make everything and people don't have jobs then they won't be able to buy the products. Who would the robots be making them for?
If Everyone Has Robots…
In the future if robots get smart enough to make themselves and do all the work people could have more time to explore themselves. People would be free from working on jobs and focus on working on themselves. What would make it better is if the robots and all the technology they created are powered by solar energy. There would be no more exploitation of the earth.
Sometimes things get worse before they get better.
Welcome To The New Age
Express your humanity in whatever you do.
Always remember you are the master; anything created by humans can be broken down and studied.
Learn if automation can assist you in your industry and take advantage of it.
The future belongs to optimistic adaptable minds.
[1] BBC News – Foxconn replaces '60,000 factory workers with robots
[2] Robot police officer goes on duty in Dubai
[3] Elon Musk: 'With artificial intelligence we are summoning the demon.'
[4] Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg delivers Harvard commencement full speech
[5] Stephen Hawking warns artificial intelligence could end mankind
[6] Steve Wozniak – Personal Device, Artificial Intelligence, Creativity
[7] Patrick Tresset introducing Paul the sketching Robot
Meet the Robot Portrait Artists in this 'Robot Classroom'
[8]The Associated Press will use automated writing to cover the minor leagues
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Tags:automation robots technology workplace
illumiNaughty
Automation is taking jobs and dumbing down Humanity. What will happen to humans when machines are able to learn on their own?
Humans will have to get more creative and look within instead of looking externally. The future is going to be very interesting, I am remaining optimistic. Humanity has survived everything thrown at us. We are a resilient, resourceful species.