Farid Panjwani
IMAGINE two schools: School Z, with an inclusive and respectful environment where students feel valued and safe; School A, where bullying, harassment and discrimination are rife. Imagine both schools introducing online learning and cyber interactions. Students collaborate on projects, which have potential for multidisciplinary learning. They also have access to each other digitally through their social media. In such a scenario, we should expect the existing offline atmosphere to invade the online sphere. Though School Z may become more productive and friendlier, bullying may increase in School A. Those suffering harassment in classrooms may now face it even at home. The online and offline are entangled.
For many, these new publicly available technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and robotics, have the potential to create a world of equitable opportunities, peace and sustainable growth. This optimism is grounded in technologies’ computational power, ever-expanding data and capacity to self-learn. In education, for instance, these technologies are providing highly personalised and stimulating lessons and assessment to students.
What material and political offline conditions can hinder the realisation of the potential of new technologies? Perhaps the most concerning is wealth and income inequities. A recent IMF report calls them the “defining challenge of our time”. In 2022, 1.2 per cent of the richest people controlled 47.8pc of the total global wealth, while the bottom 53pc of the people had access to only 1.1pc of the wealth. The economic inequality translates into social, educational, and political inequity. Consequently, while some children will study with the best personalised learning systems, many will not have access to even basic literacy. Unless efforts are made to reduce this gap in the access to technologies, the dream of equitable opportunities for all is likely to recede further, aggravating disparities and their consequences.
The potential of new technology is not always actualised.
Among the ardent supporters of the new technologies are large commercial companies and state security agencies. Profit and surveillance are their primary motives for propagating AI. Shoshana Zuboff calls the resulting socioeconomic structure “surveillance capitalism”. The profit motive is likely to impel job losses as firms will seek to replace humans with machines as deliberate policy. The surveillance motive will further curtail civil liberties. Finally, the new technologies are equally available to propagate ideologies, spread propaganda and commit cybercrimes.
Given this entanglement of the two worlds, what can be done to realise the positive potential of the new technologies for the majority of humanity? We must see technology as a human artefact that operates within historical and cultural contexts. It shapes and is shaped by a society’s values. Hence, we must make educational, legal, economic, and social efforts to move towards a just and progressive offline world.
Wealth inequity is perhaps the most serious threat to the potential of the new technologies to create equitable societies. It must be addressed. There is still time to develop legislation that protects privacy and civil liberties of individuals. Similarly, as the profit motive will incline firms to minimise human labour, we must struggle against every job lost because of this technology — every time the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.
Coming to education, it will be important that in their drive to technology, schools must retain their aim of nurturing a well-rounded student with social skills and emotional depth. As the notions of technology, science and math often go together, it is easy to forget the importance of humanities and the arts. This will be a mistake. Fortunately, it appears that the dangers of uncritical enthusiasm for new technology are being recognised, as shown in a recent Unesco report about banning smartphones in schools. This must continue.
The positive potential of AI is tremendous. We need prudence, moral reasoning, democratic oversight, and concern for the vulnerable to harness it. Without these, the road to hell may get paved with good intentions.
The writer is a faculty member at the Aga Khan University-Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED).
Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2023
Balanced scorecard: The positives and negatives of AI revealed
By Dr. Tim Sandle
August 24, 2023
AI: More than Human exhibition invites you to explore our relationship with artificial intelligence.
The U.K. is investing £100 million in AI chips, according to The Guardian. This is reflective in the growth of AI platforms. One survey, as an example, has revealed that nearly half of UK workers use AI to write resumes and cover letters. This suggests AI is rapidly changing how we live our lives and how we work.
Yet the future world of AI carried with it both positive changes and negative effects. Many of these have been mapped out by Chris Raven, CEO at business growth agency Heur, and he has shared these with Digital Journal.
Raven provides an assessment of the benefits and negatives of AI in the workplace and what this means for the future of work.
Positives of AI
Beginning with the positives, Raven says: “Artificial Intelligence offers many positives in the workplace. It can help businesses to enhance productivity, streamline operations, and, importantly, drive innovation.”
Boosted Efficiency
AI technologies can automate more menial tasks which allows employees to focus and be more granular on complex jobs that require more time that may not have been possible before. AI can save an employee a massive amount of time which boosts efficiency and productivity.
Data Driven Analysis
AI can process vast amounts of data and identify patterns, trends, and insights that humans that have other things on their mind might miss. With these insights, businesses can make strong, data-driven decisions and optimise processes. Predictive systems can look at historical data and to accurately predict future trends, customer behaviour, and market demands. They also help businesses to anticipate changes and make proactive decisions that will enable success in the long run.
Bolstered Security
Data theft is at an all-time high, but luckily, AI is adept in detecting and preventing cyber threats. These systems continuously monitor network traffic which identifies anomalies before they become a bigger problem for your business. It can also help in fraud detection and prevention by analysing patterns and user behaviour.
Streamlined Recruitment
Recruiting can be difficult, especially post Great Resignation and workplace trends such as ‘resenteeism’ and ‘quiet quitting’ on the rise. However, AI-powered tools can automate candidate screening and initial assessments, which can ease the recruitment process and give you greater peace of mind. Once the hiring is done, AI can help you further with employee onboarding and initial training.
Improved Employee Productivity
AI-powered virtual assistants and productivity tools can help individuals manage their tasks, schedules, and priorities more effectively, which will especially help employees that can become easily distracted or work flexible hours or WFH. The benefits of these systems are endless as they are able to provide reminders, automate routine activities, and offer personalised recommendations, which we all need once in a while.”
Negatives of AI
Moving into the negative influences of AI, Raven explains: “It’s important to realise that while AI can provide lots of positives, it also raises ethical challenges in the workplace, such as privacy concerns, bias in algorithms, and the impact on jobs.”
Loss of Jobs
What you’ll find is that most businesses’ hesitation to embrace AI is a fear that it will take over human-led jobs. Artificial intelligence and automation can and will replace certain jobs. However, it’s important to note that while certain tasks may be automated, AI can also create job opportunities and can change human capabilities for the better.
Ethical Issues
AI systems mainly rely on algorithms and data, which can introduce biases if not implemented with care and consideration. Biases in AI can lead to discriminatory conclusions which can perpetuate existing inequalities which can be incredibly damaging for businesses. It is important to ensure that these systems are fair, transparent, and accountable.”
Over Reliance on AI
While Artificial Intelligence can boost efficiency of certain processes, overreliance on AI systems without proper human management will become problematic. AI algorithms are not yet perfect and can make errors which will require human intervention. It’s important to find a good balance between AI and human decision-making, which can prove to be a long learning curve.”
Cost Challenges
Incorporating AI technologies in the workplace can be expensive, which, with most businesses feeling the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis, can be an unnecessary cost that many businesses simply can’t afford.”
Impact on Work-Life Balance
While AI takes care of the menial, time-consuming tasks, there is a risk that employees will be under more scrutiny and managers will have higher expectations due to the increased productivity. It is crucial to check in with your employees regularly and manage the incorporation of AI in a way that supports work-life balance and prevents employee burnout.”
What to make of this? Raven adds: “The reality is that the landscape of work is likely to change due to the leaps and bounds AI has made in recent years. However, there are human processes and skills that robots cannot replicate, such as creativity, emotional intelligence and critical thinking.”
Raven’s final advice for businesses runs: “In order to adapt to the AI boom, it is important to reconfigure your workplace accordingly. As menial jobs are overtaken by AI, it’s crucial to invest in reskilling your employees, seek innovation where you can and ensure best and ethical practices are used when incorporating AI in the workplace.”
By Dr. Tim Sandle
August 24, 2023
AI: More than Human exhibition invites you to explore our relationship with artificial intelligence.
The U.K. is investing £100 million in AI chips, according to The Guardian. This is reflective in the growth of AI platforms. One survey, as an example, has revealed that nearly half of UK workers use AI to write resumes and cover letters. This suggests AI is rapidly changing how we live our lives and how we work.
Yet the future world of AI carried with it both positive changes and negative effects. Many of these have been mapped out by Chris Raven, CEO at business growth agency Heur, and he has shared these with Digital Journal.
Raven provides an assessment of the benefits and negatives of AI in the workplace and what this means for the future of work.
Positives of AI
Beginning with the positives, Raven says: “Artificial Intelligence offers many positives in the workplace. It can help businesses to enhance productivity, streamline operations, and, importantly, drive innovation.”
Boosted Efficiency
AI technologies can automate more menial tasks which allows employees to focus and be more granular on complex jobs that require more time that may not have been possible before. AI can save an employee a massive amount of time which boosts efficiency and productivity.
Data Driven Analysis
AI can process vast amounts of data and identify patterns, trends, and insights that humans that have other things on their mind might miss. With these insights, businesses can make strong, data-driven decisions and optimise processes. Predictive systems can look at historical data and to accurately predict future trends, customer behaviour, and market demands. They also help businesses to anticipate changes and make proactive decisions that will enable success in the long run.
Bolstered Security
Data theft is at an all-time high, but luckily, AI is adept in detecting and preventing cyber threats. These systems continuously monitor network traffic which identifies anomalies before they become a bigger problem for your business. It can also help in fraud detection and prevention by analysing patterns and user behaviour.
Streamlined Recruitment
Recruiting can be difficult, especially post Great Resignation and workplace trends such as ‘resenteeism’ and ‘quiet quitting’ on the rise. However, AI-powered tools can automate candidate screening and initial assessments, which can ease the recruitment process and give you greater peace of mind. Once the hiring is done, AI can help you further with employee onboarding and initial training.
Improved Employee Productivity
AI-powered virtual assistants and productivity tools can help individuals manage their tasks, schedules, and priorities more effectively, which will especially help employees that can become easily distracted or work flexible hours or WFH. The benefits of these systems are endless as they are able to provide reminders, automate routine activities, and offer personalised recommendations, which we all need once in a while.”
Negatives of AI
Moving into the negative influences of AI, Raven explains: “It’s important to realise that while AI can provide lots of positives, it also raises ethical challenges in the workplace, such as privacy concerns, bias in algorithms, and the impact on jobs.”
Loss of Jobs
What you’ll find is that most businesses’ hesitation to embrace AI is a fear that it will take over human-led jobs. Artificial intelligence and automation can and will replace certain jobs. However, it’s important to note that while certain tasks may be automated, AI can also create job opportunities and can change human capabilities for the better.
Ethical Issues
AI systems mainly rely on algorithms and data, which can introduce biases if not implemented with care and consideration. Biases in AI can lead to discriminatory conclusions which can perpetuate existing inequalities which can be incredibly damaging for businesses. It is important to ensure that these systems are fair, transparent, and accountable.”
Over Reliance on AI
While Artificial Intelligence can boost efficiency of certain processes, overreliance on AI systems without proper human management will become problematic. AI algorithms are not yet perfect and can make errors which will require human intervention. It’s important to find a good balance between AI and human decision-making, which can prove to be a long learning curve.”
Cost Challenges
Incorporating AI technologies in the workplace can be expensive, which, with most businesses feeling the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis, can be an unnecessary cost that many businesses simply can’t afford.”
Impact on Work-Life Balance
While AI takes care of the menial, time-consuming tasks, there is a risk that employees will be under more scrutiny and managers will have higher expectations due to the increased productivity. It is crucial to check in with your employees regularly and manage the incorporation of AI in a way that supports work-life balance and prevents employee burnout.”
What to make of this? Raven adds: “The reality is that the landscape of work is likely to change due to the leaps and bounds AI has made in recent years. However, there are human processes and skills that robots cannot replicate, such as creativity, emotional intelligence and critical thinking.”
Raven’s final advice for businesses runs: “In order to adapt to the AI boom, it is important to reconfigure your workplace accordingly. As menial jobs are overtaken by AI, it’s crucial to invest in reskilling your employees, seek innovation where you can and ensure best and ethical practices are used when incorporating AI in the workplace.”
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