Samir Shukla
By Samir Shukla
The unstoppable beast known as Artificial Intelligence is coming for everything. My fear is the initial societal unhinging that will happen before we learn to balance and eventually create a world where humans and machines walk and talk and work hand in hand.
New societal and social constructs will emerge, wholly different from what we have known in the past. There’s no stopping this or going back. It is about becoming aware, preparing and acting where possible.
Past technological innovations have made our lives easier, with labor eased while creating more free time. But these have always brought change slowly, and without completely eradicating what preceded. At least we still needed humans for the changed ecosystems. This time seems different.
There will be lots of dissonance and unraveling of the status quo. We are already dealing with political madness and divisions around the world while a massive debt crisis looms on the horizon for the United States.
Companies are diving into AI and attaching it to anything they can. I have a mantra that I put on repeat during conversations about AI, and that is ‘we are creating a world that will require fewer humans to run that world.’ A lot fewer. That is the essential quandary. Something will have to give, and cooler heads will have to step in for a peaceful and balanced future to evolve. Maybe I’m overthinking this. Maybe not.
The more troubling aspect is the new arms race between countries. This time the race is for AI dominance. This digital cold war can have devastating effects if thoughtful defensive measures aren’t taken and policies aren’t implemented.
The average American can fight back via a prime weapon – their votes. Politicians and leaders who see two steps ahead while working for today are what is needed.
I have been thinking and analyzing about this for a while and have come up with the ABCD of AI. Maybe you will find it useful. Something you and your family can talk about and make necessary course corrections. Some of these are under your control. Others we must rely on good folks in the digital universe. Here are the crucial first four letters of the alphabet for dealing with Artificial Intelligence and the new fast-moving technological age coming at us.
A – Adapt
Humans are already good at this. We didn’t become the dominant species by sitting around and moping when things around us began to change. We adapt to everything that comes at us, happens to us or is thrown at us. Some people are more adept at adapting while others not so much. Acquire multiple skills, invest in yourself to develop marketable skill sets of the future and find ways to work with your hands. Things that AI can’t do right now. If your work can be replaced by intelligent technology, meaning you can be easily replaced, today, then you must evolve. Many high paying careers of today will vanish in the near tomorrow. Some new jobs will be created, but one thing is for sure, these jobs will be fewer and highly automated. The need for human labor and work is reducing. Of course, those who with their hands – plumbers, carpenters, construction workers, landscapers – will be ok for now.
B – Bank
Reanalyze investing and increase savings, plot a plan for short term needs and come up with long-term strategy. This will require periodic rebalancing as economic situations change. This is typical advice going back decades, but the incoming changes will be very fast. Create stronger financial safety nets. Find savvy financial advisors and clever accountants to help plot your financial future. Invest in yourself. Do. It. Today.
C – Contain
The United States Congress is the last remaining firewall that can set up guard rails and regulations concerning AI. Contact your representatives to ask them what they are doing to protect their constituents, meaning you. I’m not a fan of heavy regulations, but they can always be undone in the future. Once we have a handle on how fast AI will evolve and remake society and economic systems, we can ease up on the shackles. Factual and trusted information is a good thing, so get ready for the deluge of AI-generated fakeness whose specific purpose is to dupe the average person. Only regulations and laws, with consequences for the deceivers, can reduce the damage of deep fakes.
D – Defense
I believe in planning for worst-case scenarios when starting a new venture, investing substantial money, planning a major event, or even when plotting travel and trips. This way contingencies are in place if things go wrong. You don’t have to scramble at the last minute when something goes sideways. It is about defensive contingencies. If an adversary comes up with a next generation fighter plane, a country works to counteract it with its own. The same goes for AI. We need kill switches and defensive devices to counteract AI when it goes awry or does wrong. And it will. This is where a headline I once read, “Dogs Kill Owner” comes into play. It is when someone grooms and trains dogs for protection, but they get so strong, volatile, and independent that they turn on their owner and kill him. This has happened. Why create something you cannot control or defend against? Preset defensive measures against rapidly evolving AI is paramount. Calling all techies! You work in this realm. Come up with defensive measures and solutions, fight fire with fire, if you will. Let me know what can work.
I’m not sure if this alphabet makes sense to you, but it sounds logical to me. Clearly AI can be very useful in many aspects. Become literate in its use. If the new technological world that is emerging has a smooth landing and becomes the golden goose we all seek, then all the better. It’s likely going to go the other way, at least until we figure out a balance. We can all debate on plausible outcomes and possible societal changes. Don’t let anybody tell you they know how this is going to unfold. They don’t. I don’t. It’s simple. I believe in the preservation of just and equitable advancement of humans.
I’m preparing. I’m learning. Let’s start with ABCD.
Samir Shukla is the Editor of Saathee Magazine
Contact: samir@saathee.com
Twitter/X: @ShuklaWrites
Newsletter: ShuklaWrites.Substack.com
