AI & Its Impact On Our Future Livelihoods
In this opinion piece, iProspect general manager of data intelligence Tom White (pictured) questions when machines put us all out of a job, where will that leave us?
If you asked someone 50 years ago what they thought the world would look like today, they’d probably describe something similar to The Jetsons: George Jetson, his Boy Elroy and the rest of family living in Orbit City, surrounded by flying cars.
But beyond where they lived, let’s think about George’s job. He worked, by all accounts, a single hour a day, two days a week – the apparent norm for these times.
His job? Turning the Referential Universal Digital Indexer (R.U.D.I) on and off. Doesn’t sound like the most difficult vocation, although the number of times George was fired (and subsequently re-hired) might say otherwise.
So how accurate was this version of the future?
Whilst we don’t have flying cars or robot maids just yet (although the Roomba has made vacuuming much easier), The Jetsons did do a pretty good job of foreseeing how technology would evolve, with R.U.D.I. taking over most of the tasks that would otherwise have fallen to George.
And today, just like George, many of us are already at the mercy of the power of Artificial Intelligence.
We’ve known for a while that automation poses a risk to the manufacturing and production industries, but it’s no longer just blue-collar jobs.
Today there are more examples of white-collar jobs being impacted by this trend.
The Houston Methodist Hospital, for example, has created a software that is able to speed up the interpretation and accuracy of mammogram analysis.
In trials, researchers found that the software was able to interpret the results of tests 30 times faster than a human, with an accuracy of 99 per cent.
By comparison, humans incorrectly diagnosed the need for a biopsy almost 20 per cent of the time. Machine 1, Man 0.
Banking is no slouch when it comes to automation either. Using machine learning, JP Morgan managed to turn a number of mundane tasks, including the interpretation of commercial loan agreements, from 360,000 man hours into a process that takes a matter of seconds.
Contract Intelligence (or COIN), not only shortened the time it takes to review documents, but also decreased the number of loan-servicing mistakes that were made. Two-nil.
For us it’s no different. Programmatic advertising has changed our display proposition. Previously you had weeks of negotiations, now, it’s done in a split second.
Paid Search is a similar story, with technologies in market that are able to optimise bids, budgets, and positioning on an hourly basis – 24 times a day, seven days a week.
The benefits to this are too big to pass up, as AI is so much better than humans at identifying trends in data.
So what does this mean for our future employment? Multiple studies have concluded that up to 50 per cent of jobs today are at risk of being taken over by machines in the next decade or two, so speed is of the essence.
The one piece holding this back currently, is the type of intelligence that machines have. AI has what is known as ‘narrow intelligence’; that is, a strong ability to deliver a certain task or have knowledge about a certain factor.
Humans on the other hand have ‘general intelligence’, a broader skillset that doesn’t compare to AI in the specific task the AI is built for, but stronger in all other areas.
A machine may be able to build an air-conditioning unit far better than I could, but it doesn’t have the same knowledge I do about Google products, or politics, or the film Anchorman.
However, with AI now capable of developing its own intelligence, it’s not going to be long before it moves away from the narrow and into the general intelligence space.
And when it does, the human isn’t going to be able to compete in a like-for-like battle.
So, what options do we have?
- Take the George Jetson approach and work a couple of hours a week helping to run the machines – unlikely
- A Universal Basic Income. This is a fixed income that every citizen gets from the government. While this sounds unlikely, it exists in Alaska where every resident gets a $1,000 annual dividend off the state’s oil income, no matter what they do for a living.
- Become friends with our new robot overlords and hope they leave some tasks to us humans. I’m sure even robots, once generally intelligent, won’t want to do everything.
- It’s what humans have done since the beginning of time. We’ve always trained or innovated our skillsets to adapt to the environment we are in.
Throughout human history, we’ve adapted to every situation we’ve had to face.
There are many examples in history where there was a fear of the unknown, but on each occasion, we adapted, and survived.
We’ve still got time too – this isn’t something that’ll happen overnight, but with foresight and planning, we should be able to set ourselves up for the future.
Or if times get really bad, we could also just unplug the machines and hope they haven’t developed the intelligence to plug themselves back in again.
Latest News
TV Ratings (18/04/2024): I’m A Celebrity Wins Prime Time And Key Demos
Aussie viewers can be a harsh lot at times. Only days after Ellie Cole bled her heart out, she has been sent packing.
Effie&co Launches New ConnectAsia Division To Help Aussie Brands Market To Asian Consumers Overseas & At Home
Not provided is advice on using chopsticks and not spilling ramen down your shirt.
Cashrewards Sets Out Stall For New CMO
Thinking of applying for the Cashrewards CMO gig? Here are some insider tips that, yes, are tantamount to cheating.
‘I Ask For The TV Industry To Stand Up And Defend Itself’ – Seven Boss James Warburton Steps Down
The Seven supremo heads for the exits after five years. Here's hoping the Spotlight team organised the farewell bash.
Poh! Jamie! Adriano! Paramount ANZ reveals its tasty plans for this year’s MasterChef
It's your fan's guide to this year's MasterChef! Although no tips on how to pronounce crudités or use a un fait-tout.
Dentsu’s iProspect Partners With MOOD Tea Ahead Of May Campaign Launch
We love a Mood Tea here at B&T. Although we do store old screws and nails in the International Roast caterer's tin.
Opinion: When Culture Starts Eating Itself: Navigating The Age Of Self-eating Nostalgia
Born boss David Coupland asks is adland going through a nostalgia period? But please, no repeats of Best Of Red Faces.
Who’s Going To Cannes?! The TikTok Young Lions Winners!
It's Aussie adland's next gen! They're off to Cannes with high hopes of bringing back a Lion & a foot-long Toblerone.
Adobe Launches Express Mobile App With Firefly AI
Want to be the coolest kid at Friday staff drinks but forgot your retro Nikes? This new Adobe wizardry may do the trick.
ThinkNewsBrands & IMAA Extend News Publishing Education In Brisbane
Industry duo takes its publishing roadshow to Brisbane. Was disappointed no male attendees were wearing walk socks.
B&T Chats With Wavemaker’s Provocative Pioneers On Their Cross-Pacific Sojourn
B&T TV heads to Wavemaker's Sydney digs to interview two staffers from its New York & LA digs. If that makes sense?
HoMie & Champion Launch “Give One. Get One” Campaign Supporting Youth Homelessness Via Town Square
Much like the fête's prized chutney wears a blue winners sash, so too should this top initiative from HoMie & Champion.
Thinkerbell Takes Us Back To Summer In Latest Work For XXXX
This beer ad wants to take you back to summer! Just minus any chance of a shark attack on your morning bus commute.
Cannes Lions Unveils 2024 Programme Featuring Queen Latifah, Jay Shetty & P&G’s Mark Pritchard
Are you one of the lucky ducks heading to Cannes in June? Check out the headliner acts you'll be queueing hours to see.
Scroll Media Recruits Costa Panagos From Twitch
Costa Panagos set to bring South American flair to the Scroll offices. Assuming that he is, indeed, South American.
Year13, Microsoft & KPMG Australia Launch AI Course For Gen Zs
Born around the 2000s? Need to amp up your AI creds? This guide's for you (although it's not really that age specific).
General Motors Snares Heath Walker From Scania
Do you rage about oversized American cars on our roads? You need to bail up Heath Walker at parties & industry events.
VML Launches New “Envoyage” Brand For Flight Centre
VML unveils new brand for travel operator Flight Centre. Alas, no sign of those paid actors pretending to be pilots.
Subaru Places Media Account Up For Review
Subaru puts media up for review, as adland journos get set for mandatory "agency drives off with..." headline.
TV Ratings (17/04/2024): Contestants Faced With Harsh Realities As Alone Australia Heats Up (Or Cools Down)
Alone still doing the business for SBS. Overly long train journeys not doing the business, but they persist anyway.
Ben Fordham Loses Number One Spot As Ray Hadley Celebrates 156th Ratings Win
The radio numbers are in! Discover who's off for a boozy lunch today & who's waiting for the dreaded HR death knock.
Gourmet Ice Cream Brand Connoisseur Launches New “Thrill Your Senses” Iteration, Via SICKDOGWOLFMAN
Rattling the old "truth in advertising" adage comes this ice-cream spot full of noticeably thin people.
Paramount’s Global Sales Boss: ‘Australia’s Converged Model Is A Blueprint For How I’d Like All Of Our Markets To Be’
Paramount's global sales boss gives local sales ops the thumbs up. Didn't weigh-in on the Lisa Wilkinson debacle.
TikTok Starts Testing Its Instagram Rival In Australia
In exciting news for piano playing cats & brattish pranks in shopping centres, TikTok unveils its Insta rival plans.
Man Wrongly Named By Seven As Bondi Killer Hires Lawyers
Struggling to save for a house deposit? Why not get wrongly identified by Sunrise!
Smartsheet Appoints Indie Agency Sandbox Media To Its Media Account
Can't stand your colleagues? Like to dob them in when they miss a deadline? These work management platforms are ideal.
Boss Not Letting You Come To Cannes In Cairns? Use This Business Case To Convince Them!
Stingy boss won't spring for a ticket to Cairns? Add this to your persuasive argument repertoire. Or grovel.
Alt/shift/ Brisbane Builds Portfolio With Ausbuild Creative, PR, Content & Social Account Win
The Brisbane comms/PR agency lands constructor Ausbuild. Also hoping for a discount on its new glass conservatory.
Young Guns Versus The Old Guard: Who Adds More Value to Our Industry?
Cannes In Cairns poking this hornet's nest in a lively debate. Just so long as the oldies can get up the stairs.
70% Of Aussies Don’t Have Green Power Plans ENGIE Says In Major Brand Campaign Via HERO
Are you the notorious "light leaver on-er" in your flatshare? Quell any infighting with this green energy news.
PrettyGood Launches Offering Brand & Media Solutions For Australasian SMEs
B&T applauds the charitable nature of this new agency. Although we'd hate to see it impact any Chrissie present sends.
A Blunt End: Dolphins Medicinal Cannabis Sponsorship At Risk
Yes, it's another NRL drug story. Yet, thankfully it doesn't involve coke in Kuta during the off-season.
Slew Of New Creative Hires At Leo Burnett Australia
Ahhh, all black! The outfit of choice for agency creatives, David Jones staff and everyone in Melbourne.
Under Armour Unveils Local “Live in UA” Campaign
American apparel brand set for yet another tilt at the Aussie market, as Nike declares "we'll see about that".
Pepsi Launches New Look, Refreshing Classic Fashion Staples Via Special PR
Are you always the bridesmaid, never the bride, as the old saying goes? How do you think Pepsi feels?
Pure Blonde Returns To A Place Purer Than Yours In New Campaign Via The Monkeys
B&T's always been a huge fan of the 'drink yourself thinner' diet plan. So big thanks to Pure blonde, vodka & tequila.