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Are you familiar with the \u2018Hosts\u2019? A recent science fiction TV series \u2018Westworld\u2019 from HBO explores a futuristic story in a fictional and a technologically advanced wild-west-themed park called \u2018Westworld\u2019 populated by humanoid robots called \u2018Hosts\u2019.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Interacting like real humans, the hosts are programmed to fulfill the guests’ desire. The high-paying human \u2018guests\u2019 may indulge in their wildest fantasies within the park without fear of reprisal from the hosts, who are programmed in a way that they cannot hurt humans. The world gets topsy-turvy when the robots start remembering their past \u2018lives\u2019 and get revengeful on those who took advantage of them. This leads to a discussion on the ethics of human-robot interactions. Will the humans need to take a moral stand to ensure that robots are treated well? Or, should we stay prepared for a not-too-distant war of Intelligence?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Are we Handing over Our World to the \u2018Hosts\u2019?<\/b><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The pace of development in the area of automation, robotics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been accelerating in the last decade. Many futurists believe that in the near future, humanity will be threatened or even taken over by robots. In 2017, Masayoshi Son, the founder of SoftBank warned \u201cthe Singularity is coming\u201d and predicted that in 30 years smart robot population will be 10 billion, on par with the human population. Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX and Tesla, addressed Artificial Intelligence as the biggest existential threat to humanity. A concern lurks in people\u2019s minds that the scenes from the \u201cWestworld\u201d will mirror themselves in the real world if humans don\u2019t limit Artificial Intelligence.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n AI: A Boon or a Bane?<\/b><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Humanoid robots in Westworld are a typical example of Strong AI, which is also called as Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). They can think, learn and behave exactly like a real human. Current technologies are still far away in achieving strong AI, especially in the areas of emotion, consciousness, and creativity. Majority of current AIs are weak AIs, named Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI) as well, which can do one or more intelligent things to address specific use cases. For instance, AlphaGo can only play the board game \u2018Go\u2019 although it can beat the best human \u2018Go\u2019 player. Robots in the manufacturing plant can only execute defined routines in production or assembly line although their productivity and quality are higher than human workers. Weak AI is good at automating repetitive and routine jobs. It has relieved the humans of the repetitive tasks, thereby improving the living quality and boosting economic and social development.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Humanity is creative and intrigued by technological advancements. Until the true \u201cdemon\u201d is summoned, the humans will hold on to their optimism that there is still 1 % possibility that there isn\u2019t a threat or there is no \u2018Demon\u2019 at all. This Chinese adage sums up the essence of this optimism – \u2018\u2019Don\u2019t give up eating for fear of choking\u2019\u2019. The West puts it in a slightly different way – \u201cDon\u2019t throw away the apple because of the core\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Replacing Humans or Facilitating Them?<\/b><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n While it is a matter of solace that AI won\u2019t be a threat to humanity at least in the next decade, it is foreseeable that AI will replace an array of jobs \u2013 customer support, financial analyst and may be a truck driver?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Co-exist with AI to fully leverage the benefits<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Trying to compete with AI isn\u2019t a good idea. There will be a time we need to accept that human beings may never be able to do the math better than AI, drive a truck or airplane or do the heavy labor work better than the robots. The solution is to co-exist rather than compete with AI. The solution lies in leveraging AI as an efficient tool to help you achieve better results and higher productivity.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Be the creator<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Creativity is an inherent human nature and acts as one of the key differentiators. With the progression of technology and automation, we can free up more time for our creative pursuits and incorporate AI to further strengthen and help unleash our creative side.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Invest in developing your Emotional Intelligence<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Emotions form the very essence of our existence. Love, care, compassion and empathy are irreplaceable by AI or machines, at least not in the near future. It is of utmost importance to be mindful of emotions and improve one\u2019s Emotional Intelligence.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Learn for life <\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Lifelong jobs are vanishing. Self-driving cars are the new entrants who would throw millions of car drivers out of their profession. Welding workers in automotive production are almost replaced by smart robots. Instead of betting your job\u2019s existence before your retirement, it is better to invest in yourself by learning new skills and acquiring expertise. It\u2019s a lifelong journey of continuous learning to stay relevant with the exponential technology development. The real intelligence lies in ensuring that you equip yourself to sustain the invasion of Artificial Intelligence or even a more advanced technology to come.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n About the Author:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Over 14 years evolving experience in software industry across different roles with proven records in global operations, team management, program\/project management, quality management, and consulting<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n This article is one in a series related to the <\/b><\/em>10th Global Peter Drucker Forum<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/a><\/em>, with the theme <\/b><\/em>management. the human dimension<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/a><\/em>, taking place on November 29 & 30, 2018 in Vienna, Austria #GPDF18<\/b><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The author thanks Divya Chandrika Mohan<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/em>\u00a0for a helpful review of this article.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n