Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a major movement in the high tech industries bringing with it great opportunities but also a few pot holes enthusiasts should consider for the long-term health of society. Ponder a discussion by Professor Daron Acemoglu at the Detroit Economic Club on concepts as they relate to AI economics and its impact on the labor force. Some of it will be good and some of it will be more challenging.
Dr. Acemoglu indicates that there are risks to AI in that when we use such technology to supplant human abilities versus enhance human activity, we run the risk of societal strain and a decline in democracy. There is an natural overreach when it comes to technology and as companies overexert technology they may not consider the human element and how it keeps a society and economy together into a single framework. Finding a happy balance is beneficial for labor equilibrium.
What I can say is that looking at his angle/vantage point he has a pretty good point that technology development shouldn't be blind development. It must have a thoughtful direction and purpose. This is why I lean in the direction of AI for things like spaceflight, deep diving, and other unhospitable environments that further enhance reach as well as the capacity to work remotely on important projects. At the same time I lean closer to the development of wearable technology that allows for the enhancement versus supplanting human abilities in the environment and the workforce (In turn keeping labor force in tact and adjusting.).
We are not smart enough to fully understand the way humans have adapted and changed to their environment by implementing tool adaptations (We just think we know the answers but perhaps we are still just putting sticks in holes to get the ants out. However, this level of technology will have a profound way on which our abilities adjust to its environment. Delving into big data and moving into the minute workings of the brain will open new doors. As we apply those tools to our environment we will also change that environment i.e. pollution management and exploring other planets...such as a space station on Mars and civilian space flight. Our brains will also adjust to rapid information and to VR, AI, and other advanced technologies creating neural density. Keeping in mind running the risk of having too narrow of skill development through technological development bias. Meaning we raise in certain types of technologies, that come from a technology development line, but then don't expose them enough to other activities like swimming, baseball, throwing things, dance, etc... Variety in activities will be very important. On and off line. See Red Queen Hypothesis. ok ok sorry all unsubstantiated hypothetical hyperbole at the moment. 🤓🤣). That is precisely what robotics and AI should be thought of; tool enhancements. We humans must strive against our environment. As soon as we stop thriving because technology has supplanted our internal biological needs then we begin to not adapt down our normal trajectory. Our environmental pressures become limited and we decline as a species from a socio-biological perspective. Thus wearable tech allows us to use technology while still tapping into the inner urges of human development that moves beyond the complacency that tech can bring.
(At this point, we are really talking about hypotheticals but we are fairly sure the next 20 years will see much more adaptation and cause new ways of living and thinking. A type of renaissance administrators and leaders should think about in capitalizing on to make the U.S. the first advanced digital nation with the economic and manufacturing benefits that come with that. See Societal Platforms Just an idea. 🤷)
Description: "The DEC hosted Daron Acemoglu, Institute Professor of Economics of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, on Wednesday, September 29, in an exclusive discussion. The conversation focused on “AI: The Future of Work and Economic Prosperity in the Age of Automation” and included questions from the audience."
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