Is it really necessary?
Ronald J. Burke
Everyone seems to be talking about AI (artificial intelligence). Some think it will save us, others think it will destroy us. I think the truth lies somewhere in between.
I recently read an article by Matt Schumer, a software engineer who works on artificial intelligence, called “Something Big is Happening.” He explained how AI is advancing by leaps and bounds and is now able to do what it’s supposed to do: develop AI. Imagine if the AI was so good that it could now create a better version than the developers.
Sam Altman, the famous CEO of Open AI, recently claimed that AI can do the job of a CEO.
Schumer talks about how managing partners at prestigious law firms are spending most of their time on AI. Apparently, the machine can do a better job of developing his case than he does.
With all the research and experiments we do, it is said that medical knowledge is now doubling every 73 days. I asked my doctor how I could keep it up. One of his daughters is also a doctor, and they discuss new developments every night over dinner. I was happy to hear that, and I’m sure they’re at the top, but no one can realistically keep up with such an information explosion.
But doctors using AI can do just that by using this tool to get the information they need, when they need it, in seconds. Many doctors bring laptop computers into their exam rooms so they can quickly look up anything they want to know. They are no longer limited by their mental ability to absorb all this new information that will help them do their jobs better.
There is no doubt that AI will eliminate many jobs. Several software developers have told me that talented software talent is being let go at an incredible rate. They have never seen anything like it. Many developers creating AI never imagined their own vulnerabilities.
Although AI will eliminate many jobs, it won’t eliminate them all. Schumer recommends learning how to use AI in everything you do. In most cases, doctors using AI will outperform and be more competitive than those without. Lawyers who use it can reduce time-consuming investigations to seconds and develop better cases. In a courtroom with more cases, he or she will be even more formidable.
And of course, that applies to many professions. Whatever we do, if we can use AI effectively, we will be better and more competitive than those who cannot or cannot use it. One exception is writes. AI can probably do a better job than many writers, but we don’t know where that great work will come from. You may inadvertently plagiarize, and copyright laws are still in effect. we don’t want to go there.
In many cases, we are already using AI without even realizing it. When we search the internet, many, if not all, search engines use AI.
Have you noticed how much better search results have become lately? It’s almost as if computers know what we’re thinking.
Therefore, many experts recommend practicing AI if we do not want to be left behind. Some junk isn’t ready for prime time, so you need to choose the programs you use carefully. Still, it’s very likely that there will come a day when it will be imperative to keep your job or get a new one.
When the Internet became popular, I had a colleague who thought the electronic version of the Yellow Pages was a waste of time. It didn’t take long for him to change his mind. He could not have lived without it. Experts argue that the emergence of AI is similar to the emergence of the Internet.
Unfortunately, this will put too many people out of work. No one seems to have a solution to this, and not using AI is not an option. The enemy uses it on the battlefield, and so do we. The best AI can be more powerful than the most sophisticated weaponry.
Like it or not, business is a kind of war. Thankfully, we don’t shoot or bomb each other, but we compete in the market. The best products and services at the best prices usually win. Competitors are already using it. If you don’t, you’re playing a losing game.
You still need the wisdom to choose the best AI for your specific needs and use it wisely. AI is a great tool, but success is not guaranteed unless used properly.
Ronald J. Burke, a Salem native and consultant and speaker, works throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Contact him at 603-898-1871 or RonBourque3@gmail.com.
