Don't let Artificial Intelligence mess with your head

Don't be paranoid about robots stealing your jobs. They're here to help us - not replace us. Or at least, that's what folks at a Smart Dubai workshop told us

Let's face it, the world has seen an unprecedented explosion of information and growth in technology over the past few years.
In 1992, the world generated 100gb/day. Today we generate 50,000gb per second - equivalent to 1,500 iPhones piled up on top of each other.
The last two years alone have created 90 per cent of data that was ever generated in the entire history of the human race. There is no question that Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn't only inevitable in our societies, but we are in desperate need of it.
Think of how many times you wanted to plan a birthday party for a friend and have spent hours surfing the net, visiting different places and looking at different prices before making your final decision.
If you're a parent, you don't need to be reminded of the pain you went through to pick the right school for your child (ie all the research - ask friends, evaluate fees, visit schools until you make the right decision).
With artificial agents, you can just make the wish, and they will understand your needs, your child's capabilities, before leading you to the right school without you even having to move. That's because cognitive computers, unlike conventional robots, have the ability to learn algorithms, give you feedback and improve. And their ability to learn grows (faster) every year.
Two years ago, it took 70,000 examples for a machine to learn a specific image. In 2017, it takes 7,000 examples. Within the next 12 months, a machine will be able to learn what a picture is with only 70 examples.
AI has often been perceived as a threat to human jobs, intellect and even emotions. Several film directors have put in motion their imagination of robotic invasions on Earth.
But it is important we look at AI machines as colleagues and partners who will help us with the extra work. Yes, studies showed that AI will replace 50 per cent of all jobs by 2025, but let's have a deeper look at this.
Last fortnight, Dr Noah Raford, COO of Dubai Future Foundation, delivered a keynote speech during a workshop organised by Smart Dubai and said that our jobs are composed of a series of tasks.
"If you break down tasks you're given, you will see a spectrum from extremely predictable physical information work to extremely specific relational work." So, you can expect a robot to finish your routine tasks, while you spend your time performing other tasks that require mental work.
Jobs aside, intelligent robots will transform your daily life and education through being your personal assistant or confidant. 
During the workshop, Wesam Lootah, CEO of Smart Dubai Government Establishment (SDG) gave a call to Saad, Dubai's first government service utilising AI that gives tips to entrepreneurs to start their own businesses. "Saad, I will be late for my meeting, will I reach on time?" asks Lootah. Saad replies, "Unfortunately, the roads are still congested due to the rain on the weekend (this was last week, of course)."
Lootah asks, "What are my alternatives?"
Saad gives options and offers to order him a cab for the cheapest cost.
Saad is set to become Dubai's official concierge who will help navigate and answer enquiries from tourists and citizens. Imagine how easy your life will be when it comes to making weekend plans as a resident.
Artificial agents will help us make better decisions and be more efficient. Lootah said while a doctor can read an average of 4,000 journals a year, an intelligent robot can read hundreds of thousands of journals per minute and understand natural languages. With AI, expect 90 per cent more accuracy in cancer diagnosis.
The key word here is "help" not "replace." This is because no matter how advanced robots are, their job will be limited to explore options and process data more efficiently, but they can't be programmed to think like the human mind and therefore, won't make decisions for us. And they will buy us time.
Lootah said to achieve the leadership's vision of becoming the best in the world by 2071, we have to embrace technologies and redefine government functions. With the speed of information and technology, there's no other way to progress but to work hand in hand with AI machines.
Remember Interstellar, the film where a team of explorers is accompanied by TARS, the interstellar robot, in their journey to space? TARS, who processes data throughout the film when needed, helped Matthew McConaughey's character communicate important "quantum data" via morse code. And, using gravity, gave the code to his daughter via the watch, prompting her to figure out how to save humanity. TARS's artificial intelligence played a critical role, but was it the one who saved humanity?
I don't think so.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com
Sherouk gets emails that start with 'Dear Mr Sherouk'. She doesn't like that