The United Nations (UN) began celebrating World Population Day in 1989. This is an opportunity to discuss and debate the challenges posed by the population. On July 11th, researchers and policy makers will come together to explore livable and sustainable solutions. Population-related challenges range from hunger, disease, unemployment, inequality and unsustainable development. In this demographic day, we face a multi-trillion dollar question. Could new artificial intelligence (AI) technologies offer solutions to population-related challenges?
In a populous country like India, ensuring everyone’s right to health is a daunting task. During the Covid-19 pandemic, our healthcare system nearly collapsed and many patients died due to lack of hospital beds, ventilators, oxygen cylinders, medicines and more. These resources were available in various locations, but there was no immediate data on the supply and demand situation. This scenario created an imbalance in securing health rights. However, some districts had a different story. Districts with visionary administrators deployed AI solutions to collect real-time data on hospital infrastructure. This resulted in optimal placement of beds, medicines, infrastructure, doctors, etc. For example, the city of Kochi used AI to streamline hospital infrastructure allocation, saving many lives. Using AI in medicine can enhance monitoring of health parameters and identify new patterns and symptoms that are often overlooked. Early detection and diagnosis can address this concern and reduce pressure on healthcare infrastructure and household budgets. AI technology can analyze a patient’s family history, lifestyle, genetic substrate, antibiotic susceptibility, and more to prescribe the optimal diagnosis, treatment strategy, and dosage.
Despite technological developments, in many parts of the country, farmers still rely on monsoon rains for their agricultural activities. Even though most of our farmland is in arid regions, the demand for water is important because we grow crops that require more water. Climate change and global warming have completely changed the landscape of food grain production, resulting in scarcity, hunger and rising prices. AI technology has saved many farmers. Using AI, farmers can monitor soil moisture, nutrient levels, current temperature, and other weather parameters. Data and imagery collected through drones, sensors, satellite phones and other handheld devices help farmers optimize water usage, fertilizer application, crop protection and more. Smart irrigation and precision agriculture can greatly improve agricultural yields. AI tools can be used to analyze historical data to identify occurrences of floods, droughts, hailstorms, and more, and plan seeding and harvesting schedules accordingly. Agricultural big data can be used to identify hidden patterns in crops, rainfall, temperature, etc. and introduce new crops and farming practices. AI technology can also minimize distortions and discrimination in food grain distribution systems, thus reducing the number of marginalized areas trapped in poverty.
The magic wand of AI technologies such as Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL), Internet of Things (IoT), Cyber-Physical Systems, Cloud Computing (CC), Virtual Reality (VR), and Big Data Analytics (BDA) , and many existing jobs may disappear. Providing reskilling and upskilling opportunities to the unemployed can shorten the waiting list. The World Economic Forum believes that every economy faces a reskilling emergency. On the other hand, improving the skills of graduates is also a big challenge. In one study, the McKinsey Global Institute identified skill shortages as the primary reason why many entry-level jobs in the corporate sector are underfilled. The report also highlighted the dual employment crisis of high youth unemployment and a shortage of job seekers with key skills.
Acquiring, reskilling, and upskilling most of these people requires significant time, energy, and resources. Leveraging AI technology for a wide variety of skill-learning activities at scale overcomes geographic and infrastructure constraints, making education accessible at your convenience. These AI technologies help facilitate lifelong learning and certification at the learner’s convenience. Such technology also expands opportunities in the emerging gig economy. The AI ecosystem makes business easier and fuels the growth of start-ups.
Combining AI tools with increased mobile ownership per capita and improved internet connectivity can address economic inequality. AI can create new opportunities to improve livelihoods for village artisans, marginal farmers, and other marginalized communities. In the past, marginal farmers relied on local vendors and moneylenders to sell their produce, but the spread of AI technology has made the world a potential market, allowing farmers to negotiate prices. Targeting welfare programs and subsidies can also help close the inequality gap. Similarly, AI can enhance access to healthcare, education, banking, government, and other facilities for marginalized populations.
It is common to blame population size for unsustainable development. However, AI solutions can support the economy’s efforts towards sustainable development. AI technology improves city liveability, traffic management, waste disposal, pollution prevention, traffic bottleneck management, parking optimization, urban planning, water conservation, power consumption, and more. Real-time data on these aspects facilitates quick and informed decision-making. In the transition to green technology, AI can facilitate the adoption of renewable energy.
It is natural for humans to fear the unknown. History is replete with examples of how new technologies have been used effectively, resulting in great advances. Therefore, we do not shy away from AI solutions to address population problems. However, policy makers must take safeguards to address data privacy, ownership, security and trust issues.
Disclaimer
The above views are the author’s own.
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