Will Your Job Be Replaced by a Robot?
- Spencer Blanchard
- AI, Artificial inteligence, Creative Work, Technology
- 0 Comments
Humans frequently interact with artificial intelligence systems without even realizing it. Many people have already started to feel a connection to them on an emotional level, but will this relationship ever be reciprocated? Is it possible for robots to ever form an emotional bond with us?
Let’s start by defining the difference between machines and robots. From a technical viewpoint, the difference is the degree of intelligence ingrained in the system. We refer to an electro-mechanical device as a robot rather than a machine (such as a “washing machine”) when it can imitate specific cognitive behavior. To replicate this intelligent behavior, artificial intelligence can be pre-programmed, such as “following a line” in the context of a robot guide, or it can be learned, such as “imitating this individual walking” in the context of a humanoid robot. Is it feasible for AI to experience genuine emotions, though?
In 2023 alone we’ve seen an advancement in chatbots, facial expression recognition, interpreters, personal assistants, and movie recommendation systems; AI is not science fiction and is now a reality. However, many people are unaware of how much they interact with AI systems, and they frequently reject and fear the notion that a smart machine might develop consciousness. There are concerns about the potential extinction of the human race at the hands of machines, but the most urgent concern is being replaced at work by an AI system. These reactions are all perfectly reasonable. Humans have long promoted our self-esteem as a superior species on the basis of our superior human intelligence.
Now that AI is here and has started to demonstrate its abilities, including winning chess games (the deep blue machine), managing large amounts of data without effort, completing complex tasks in a short amount of time, and even deciphering the human genome, we have understandably started to wonder whether computers or intelligent robots will be better than humans.
Focusing on the artificially intelligent systems we frequently use, it does not seem that these systems need to be able to feel feelings or that doing so would make them more efficient at their tasks. Systems that interact with humans may find it very helpful if they can identify some basic human emotions and react appropriately. Wouldn’t it be useful if our mobile phone displays could adjust depending on how we’re feeling? Even if it were feasible, technology would not experience emotions. In other words, robots only need to seem sympathetic. They don’t actually have to be.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning developments are providing broadcasters new opportunities to cover more live events. For live recordings, this problem-solving technology is gaining the ability to produce a sequence of shots that seem natural to the viewer. The search for news stories among vast amounts of data is another helpful application of this AI. The experience for people who are blind or have hearing or visual impairments can also be improved.
Some might be concerned that AI systems are replacing crew members. We believe that AI is meant to be a tool for the job, not to replace the professionals that contribute to the industry.
The technology is actually presently being used to cover events that would not otherwise be possible to broadcast. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) recently investigated this issue (AI in Production). Static ultra-high definition (UHD) cameras were used in this experiment to mimic a two or three-camera setup. These cameras are capable of recording in 4K, a much greater resolution than what is required for broadcast. Because of this, various compositions can be created during the production process by simply zooming in or cropping the video.
Smaller live events can be covered by a one-man crew using these inexpensive remote cameras, bypassing a need for the massive budgets once reserved only for big corporations. Additionally, it enables an outside broadcast crew to visit more places. A bigger setup would not be possible considering multiple locations. Video can even be transmitted live thanks to the real-time composition and cropping capabilities.
We would love to hear our reader’s opinions on artificial intelligence, it has certainly become a popular dinner-table topic in recent months and will continue to rock our routines not only in the workplace but also in our daily lives. Please feel free to drop a comment below and let us know how AI has affected you personally. If you’d like to stay up to date with the latest news and industry trends, we invite you to follow us on social media where we post the most relevant bits about our work.
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