Speech Topic: Threat of Robotics and Automation on Mankind
A machine-based intelligence that is similar to human intelligence such as robotics and automation can develop superintelligence abilities at a rapid rate, superseding human control accompanied by ineffable effects on mankind (Ford, 2015).
Introduction
What is more incredible about civilization is the end product of intelligence. Therefore, merging human intelligence together with artificial intelligence can possibly propel civilization significantly. Currently, artificial intelligence is being applied in the various range of setting in our day to day activities (Ford, 2015). However, concerns have been raised that powerful technologies are posing dangers that threatens mankind. A machine-based intelligence that is similar to human intelligence such as robotics and automation can develop superintelligence abilities at a rapid rate, superseding human control accompanied with ineffable effects on mankind (Ford, 2015). Robots are currently being adopted in organizations in carrying out various tasks that are designated to be carried out by humans. People are so overwhelmed with the artificial intelligence exhibited by robots together with the convenience and the ease of work that robots have caused (Ford, 2015). However, with the increasing adoption and use of robots in companies to carry out some activities, robots are likely to be a threat to humans as they will replace human beings totally in future. This will render most human beings to be unemployed as robots will take over their activities and duties in workplaces.
Robots are deemed to provide economic benefits as they are more productive, never miss work duties due to illnesses, and also do not require any kind of benefits or rewards (Ford, 2015). These provide excessive economic savings to companies thus encouraging companies to use more robot workforce than human labor. Therefore, as companies seek to gain profits and economic advantages, companies will tend to prefer robots as they seem to be more reliable than human beings in terms of the labor force. Automation such as chatbots is likely to minimize the necessity of customer service representatives in companies (Kaivo-Ojia, Roth & Westerlund, 2017). As companies adopt the use of automated chat bots which automatically respond to clients instantly when queries are raised, professions such as customer care service and secretaries are at stake. Currently, companies tend to prefer fast and reliable services produced by automation through the aid of machines such as computers facilitated by certain programs. This renders people on the affected professions to be jobless and in future it will be likely that there will be no more vacancy for humans to handle such kind of activities.
Consequentially, some skills will become obsolete; people will be retrenched as robots take up their duties rendering them unemployed (Kaivo-Ojia, Roth & Westerlund, 2017. The rate of unemployment will increase, doubling the current rate of unemployment. As a result, poverty will increase as many people will be jobless making them dependent on the government for support (Kaivo-Ojia, Roth & Westerlund, 2017). Having a high number of dependencies on the government strains the government’s economy thus leading to a strained economy which further results in the country’s underdevelopment. Consequentially, this will make the lives of humans miserable and difficult as high mortality rate will be recorded caused by unhealthy living conditions due to poverty.
Also, some careers will be rendered useless and unimportant since there will be no job opportunities because it will have been taken over by robotics and automation (Kaivo-Ojia, Roth & Westerlund, 2017). The education system will be affected too, as people will drop out of school since it will be meaningless to study for a certain profession that does not have job opportunities. In essence, artificial intelligence will frustrate humans in the future as it replaces them.