The human race has been envisioning technology-enabled future where flying vehicles, efficient transportation, and a clean and safe environment exist. More than 60 after John McCarthy coined the idea of Artificial Intelligence to denote the engineering and science of creating machines that are intelligent, the dream of humanity is gradually coming close to reality (Auer-Welsbach). The modern-day A.I. has little similitude to its initial conception; the trailblazers in the field believe that success lies in developing machines that can mimic the logic-based reasoning of the human species. A case in point is the manner in which boxes of pacifiers are arranged above boxes of onesies at diapers.com (Levy). An average person would assume that the individuals that organized the boxes used a random number generator, instead of intelligence, to arrange the boxes. However, a closer look reveals that the warehouses have not been built for humans but bots, which nimble through the aisles to identify products and deliver them to the human packers. Artificial Intelligence may improve human well-being because it is highly likely to negate problems like simple human errors, lead to significant advances in the world of Artificial Intelligence technology, and institute a revolution in the economy.
Artificial Intelligence is highly likely to decrease human error and dependability. Robots do not work like people; their processes are more complex and efficient. Artificial intelligence can solve problems like fatigue, scarcity, and health limitations. Unlike humans, the robots can operate for extended periods without being subjected to problems like overheating and spare part/technology replacement (Levy). Moreover, various items can be located with ease since the robots have been designed to find the various items that are within the diaper.com premises. Finally, the machines may solve problems like exposure since the humans are only tasked with the work of packing; looking for items in the diaper.com premises may lead workers to become exposed to the toxic chemicals that are used to preserve the things that are in the warehouse or keep pests and rodents away.
Considering the above ideas, robots are not empathetic, and, therefore, do not complain about issues like the need for increased benefits. At diapers.com, robots place products in the different aisles that are available in the facility (Levy). The first available robot then responds by locating a requested item when a worker places a request to fill an order. These activities turn the storeroom into an ever-shifting mass that is responsive to the limitless shifts in data. For instance, the bots respond to data like the changing geography of the warehouse, the popularity and size of the merchandise, and the location of each robot. Kiva Systems indicates that the bots can deliver products to packers at a speed of approximately six seconds (Levy). Human beings cannot act in similar ways without complaining or requesting their employers to increase their pay.
Artificial intelligence may also result in significant advances in technology. Such progressions are highly likely to inspire the development of machines that can not only complete tasks in a relatively accurate manner but also work for longer periods without having to switch them off. Also, developers can create Artificial Intelligence robots that can carry out ordinary tasks. If a computer can beat humans in a contest, the same technology can be used to develop robots that can perform everyday human tasks (Searle). In the same way, advances in technology may result in the development of robots that can build other robots. Since humans create robots, and recent events have proven that computers can execute the tasks of people, developers can create robots that can develop other robots (Searle). Such endeavors are more likely than not to result in significant advances in Artificial Intelligence technology.
The world of Artificial Intelligence has made remarkable strides toward revolutionizing computer capabilities; these advances may be used to improve living conditions and to prolong human life. For instance, an IBM computer that was named Watson triumphed over human contestants in a T.V. show known as Jeopardy (Searle). Various comments regarding the capability of the computer’s ability to comprehend different issues now super cede that of human beings. In this regard, governments may encourage developers to design machines that can study the causes and cures of various ailments by using the medical data that is available. This supposition is correct since studies indicate that computers are designed to manipulate symbols, as opposed to working in a manner that resembles the human brain. For instance, the designers of Watson increased the computational power of the computer, which led to the development of a superior type of computer (Searle). In this respect, computers can be used to prolong human life by designing them to study different diseases and the cures that are available for such ailments.
Robots are also likely to result in significant shifts in the economy. After companies start realizing the value of using robots in the daily operations of their businesses, an entirely new industry may emerge. This industry may focus on revolutionizing everyday life by introducing new ways of doing things. For example, one may contend that the lives of the people that work at diapers.com have been improved since their jobs have been made easier. All that the workers have to do is pack the items that the robots deliver to them in boxes (Levy). These individuals are also less likely to spend money on treating ailments that are associated with the toxic substances that are used in preservatives since the robots do all the work of sorting and delivering items. In essence, these individuals do not have to constantly move up and down the warehouse trying to locate different items. Products may, therefore, become diversified to meet the needs of different people. For example, a robot may be developed to address the needs of manufacturers who are interested in mixing substances proportionately. Such machines are less liable to make errors; hence, these companies will be ideally positioned to increase their profit margins.
Considering the above viewpoints, the ideologies that society advances would shift. The development of robots is highly likely to result in the development of jobs in companies like Kiva Systems. The corporation is not only supplying robots to diapers.com but also GAP and Office Depos. The proliferation of such a service in the market translates to both an increase in demand for the services that robot development companies provide and an increase in job opportunities. This manifestation would also mean that new classifications would emerge, where developers would occupy the influential positions in society while the suppliers and workers would occupy the middle and lower classes respectively. In the end, the individuals that can develop innovative products would control monopolies.
Although robots present advantages like advances in technology, downsides like the development of machines that are too self-aware cannot be ignored. If Watson could comprehend things in a manner that super ceded that of the other human contestants, one cannot help but think about the capacity of robots to develop self-awareness. A case in point is the scene in Eagle Eye where a woman pushes Rachel and Jerry to act in dangerous ways by threatening their families. If robots become self-aware, they may use common technology to control the lives of humans.
We can do it today.
To counter the above development, designers may come up with a self-destruct code. This system would prompt the robots to destroy themselves if they became too self-aware. The movie, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, illustrates this development in a relatively straightforward manner. The audience is brought to the realization that robots can be programmed to act in particular ways, for example, to love their owners. Designers can, therefore, use a self-destruct code to prevent machines from becoming too self-aware.
In a recap of the above discussion, Artificial Intelligence is likely to perk up human welfare because it is liable to cancel out problems like human errors, result in significant advances in the world of technology, and inspire positive change in the economy. Contemporary A.I. has been designed to imitate the reasoning of humans but follow a different path in reaching a final decision. For instance, the bots at diaper.com arrange the boxes of pacifiers above the boxes of onesies so that they can move through the passageways to recognize different products and distribute them to the human packers. Designed can develop A.I. robots to improve the quality of people in various ways, as discussed above.
- Auer-Welsbach, Christopher. “The Rise Of AI In The Modern World – Applied Artificial Intelligence – Medium.” Medium. N.p., 2017. Web. 2 Oct. 2017.
- Levy, Steven. “The AI Revolution Is On.” Wired. N.p., 2017. Web. 2 Oct. 2017.
- Searle, John. “Watson Doesn’t Know It Won On ‘Jeopardy!’.” WSJ. N.p., 2017. Web. 2 Oct. 2017.