AI is a term that has become much common in our daily lives. The technology is so versatile that it has opened new frontiers into various sectors, from business, commerce, and healthcare to education and even entertainment. It is a modern approach to making machines sentient.
Yes, this piece of sci-fi is no longer a fantasy as programs can learn on their own using techniques such as deep learning, Natural Language Processing, Neural networks, machine learning, and cognitive services.
As a result, machines and programs running them are becoming smarter and smarter, which begs the question: Can AI replace humans? Today, we are going to examine this point and try to answer the question with facts.
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Humans VS AI. Are we replaceable?
The implication of AI and its subsequent effect has often made people wonder about its feasibility and the future of mankind. Many pessimists even went as far as to imagine the downfall of humanity at the hands of AI.
But AI has become a reality, and Humans v/s AI is no longer a theoretical debate. Hence, people wonder whether they are replaceable. With the rise of the industrial era, we saw heavy machinery replacing workers.
Once again, we have noticed that AI-powered robots have started replacing manual labor in factories and manufacturing plants. Thus, is it not feasible that humans, indeed, are replaceable?
I’m sorry to say this, but no, they aren’t. At least, not yet. Going back to the industrial age, we will find that such machines created far more jobs than they took. And the same is also true for AI. A study concluded that AI will replace 85 million working people by 2025. However, the same study also predicted that the same technology would create almost 93 million new jobs by the same year.
We, humans, are a rational kind. Hence, we should always see the other side of the coin. Instead of being afraid of upcoming changes, we should embrace the possibility of advancement.
AI isn’t all bad. In fact, AI is important. It helps education and business, and also works towards improving human longevity. Another point one should consider is that the tech is only in its infancy.
The following article will provide enough reasons to prove why AI can’t replace humanity and why it is perfect for human augmentation, not a replacement.
Reasons why AI can’t replace humans anytime soon:
Given below are a few reasons that point out the vulnerabilities of AI and why the tech can’t replace humans.
Lacks emotional component
Although humans have many qualities they can be proud of, being emotional is what makes us all human beings. We can use emotions for our benefit. Or we can use emotions to connect. It is something AI can’t handle. With the aid of emotions, businesses can create lifelong bonds with their customers. It is something AI can’t do.
Furthermore, humans are excellent at soft skills such as communication, relations, and personal interaction. These skills can aid businesses’ growth. In business or any other conversation, humans are at both ends. Hence, they are sensitive to the opposite race, custom, or culture. But any conversation based on AI will be devoid of such personal care.
Before you get relaxed, watch the following video that shows AI predicting human emotions:
In the future, there is still a possibility that an artificial intelligence system could replicate human emotions to its fullest.
It isn’t creative, follows a set of rules
Today, AI has reached another milestone by creating digital art and winning a prize for the same. But this doesn’t mean that AI has become artistic or creative. Even when creating art, AI follows a set of rigid algorithms or rules. Hence, even if AI takes over meager jobs, it will leave creative jobs for humans. AI can’t be separated from business.
As more and more corporates realize the potential of AI, they will start integrating technology with their businesses. Hence, the best way forward is to use AI for repetitive, error-prone, and manual tasks while leaving high-end creative tasks for employees.
Lacks Interpersonal relationship
Human society is built on relationships. Be it business or personal lives, humans have to deal with others for collaboration. At times, humans also need to work in teams or groups to achieve better results. With time, humans create such interpersonal relationships with one another. Such relationships often tend to help directly or indirectly. But AI isn’t capable of such a feat.
No out-of-the-box solutions
AI is rigid in operations. It has to follow a premeditated path defined by a set of algorithms. Hence, it can’t go beyond the rules set for it. That’s why when AI encounters a problem, it tends to find the answers within its codes. It can’t think out-of-the-box, simply because it isn’t programmed to do so. AI can only deal with data that is within its parameter of operations. The operation depends on input, and the output depends on processing.
And all these have to conform to the rigid rules of AI programming. AI can’t think for itself. Hence, when encountering a different problem, it is incapable of any solutions that go beyond its programming code.
Only works with input
As mentioned above, AI is heavily reliant on input. It can’t function without any outside stimulant. On the journey towards self-awareness, AI hasn’t become capable enough to work on its own without data input. Hence, the fear that AI can infiltrate all industries, and eliminates the demand for workers, is baseless.
For AI to work, it still has to depend on input. Also, the human mind and human reasoning aren’t easily replaceable. Thus, AI has to be reliant on humans and vice versa for the best results. The AI chatbots are a great example of how different inputs could yield distinct results.
Lacks empathy
The lack of empathy is eminent with AI. Unlike humans, who can express feelings such as happiness, sadness, anger, fear, hope, kindness, or optimism. People can feel nearly endless types of emotions. It is something we can’t imagine AI replicating anytime soon.
Empathy is the ability to feel for the person in front. But why is empathy so important? Empathy is a core component of humanity. Expressing emotions and feeling the emotions of others are what make us human. And there are a lot of jobs that require us to be empathetic. Doctors, teachers, and lawyers are examples of how an empathetic person can be of better help. Although AI is great at mimicking human speech, it can’t be empathetic.
FAQ
Can, and Will, are two different words with huge differences in their meanings. Hence, even if AI “can” replace humans, it may not. At least now, AI is very much controllable by the creators. So, unless those who control AI decide to do something bad, AI cannot replace humans even if it has the capability to do so.
It is very likely that AI can do your job. But, until today, it lacks a lot of things. Unless your job is pretty straightforward that doesn’t require human interactions, emotions, and critical thinking, you are safe for now. In the future, nobody knows.
There are certain jobs that can be easily done by an AI. Some of them include Customer care executives, Proofreaders, Receptionists, Accountants, etc.
You should probably learn AI. Even if AI is getting better every day, knowing about it will help you avoid the risks of being replaced. As they say, “knowing your enemy is always an advantage”.