OPINION
“ The so-called "digital gap"
AI AND THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR PEOPLE / By Johan Steyn /
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omputer systems that can do tasks normally performed by humans, such as vision, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation are all examples of artificial intelligence (AI). During the Dartmouth Summer Research Project in 1956, John McCarthy coined the term "Artificial Intelligence" for the first time. For this meeting, it was proposed to proceed with the assumption that "any facet of learning or any other feature of intelligence can in principle be so clearly characterized that a computer can be made to simulate it." As of now, nearly any human task in every industry may be automated. Repetitive and back-office duties are particularly relevant here. The domains of education and healthcare have already made significant progress. Also, unfortunately, in the use of AI technology as a weapon. South Africa has a slew of innovative AI start-ups and established firms. Our academic and scientific capacities in this sector are exceptional, given our society's unique issues. This technology is being used by many banking organisations, telecommunications firms, and other industry heavyweights. The quality of our educational system and the reality that the majority of our populace is detached from technology are huge concerns.
The so-called "digital gap" leaves many people behind. In the midst of the fourth industrial revolution, we are still dealing with problems from the second industrial revolution, such as electricity supply. Employment will be a primary issue in the years ahead. Large-scale job losses are unavoidable when clever automation and AI are used. The author and scholar Noah Yuval Harari writes about the possibility of creating a "useless class." This technological assault will not spare South Africa. Unemployment is at an all-time high, and secondary and university education is not effectively educating young people for the technological future. Positively, SA is an ideal offshore destination. Our market has seen an increase in BPO and call centre positions in recent months. Computers that learn and think can already do many monotonous activities. Administrative duties will require fewer human personnel in the future. Even “white collar” occupations may be at risk. Technology will increasingly impact the careers of accountants, lawyers, and financial managers. Jobs requiring a “human touch” or intuition may be affected. This technology will also affect doctors, caretakers, and instructors. When it comes to technology and jobs, the focus is on improving rather than replacing existing positions. A balancing act like this will be challenging for many years.
leaves many people behind. In the midst of the fourth industrial revolution, we are still dealing with problems from the second industrial revolution, such as electricity supply
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AI and digital assistants are unquestionably the future of business. For enterprises of all sizes, the technology is mature and ready to be implemented. Rather than focusing solely on technology, these projects should be tackled as a people-first concept. A company's employees' well-being, as well as the company's long-term business goals, should be aligned and supported by technology. As we move forward, we must include our employees, solicit their feedback, and address their concerns. When we talk about automation and digital assistants, workers understandably worry about losing their employment. Having a well-thought-out change management plan in place can ensure that individuals will work together and improve their enthusiasm. It's also critical to think about the right business case. Business leaders must first agree on the problems they are trying to solve before they can consider a technology solution. If you start small, show early success and create momentum, the organisation will follow you along on this exciting adventure.
Johan Steyn is a Smart Automation & Artificial Intelligence thought leader and management consultant. He is the Chair of the Special Interest Group on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics with the IITPSA (Institute of Information Technology Professionals of South Africa). He writes in his capacity.
2ND QUARTER 2022 | SYNAPSE
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