‘Be Flexible, Imaginative And Brave’: Experts Give Career Advice For An AI World
Teenagers preparing for their future careers in England are facing increasing uncertainty due to the impact of AI. A-level results have suffered the most significant drop; top grades in GCSEs have also fallen. The rise of generative AI programs, such as ChatGPT, has made AI mainstream, with 57% of workers using AI tools to save time in the office. However, the automation of tasks also means that specific roles may be eliminated or reduced. According to a survey, 67% of professionals believe that AI will significantly impact their profession within the next five years.
Despite this uncertainty, subjects such as science, engineering, and cyber-security, as well as careers in healthcare that involve human-to-human interaction, are expected to continue to be in demand. Experts recommend that students become AI literate and flexible to adapt to the changing job landscape. The creative sector may be particularly vulnerable to automation, but some experts believe AI can make the industry more accessible and inclusive. AI can potentially revolutionize professional workspaces, but a skills shortage needs to be addressed to leverage the technology entirely.
The AI Revolution Is Coming. But Not as Fast as Some People Think
The adoption of generative AI technology in industries and the economy is not happening as quickly as some people may think. Companies like JPMorgan Chase are cautious due to concerns about data leaks, data usage, and the accuracy of AI-generated answers. While generative AI has the potential to boost productivity and add trillions of dollars to the global economy, history has shown that there is a delay between the arrival of new technology and widespread adoption.
This lag can be attributed to technological improvements, cost reductions, the development of supporting infrastructure, and entrepreneurial trial and error. Companies are exploring generative AI technology and assessing its potential applications, but widespread use is still years away. The funding for generative AI startups has increased significantly, indicating the growing interest and investment in this field. McKinsey forecasts a timeline of eight to 27 years for the widespread adoption of generative AI, depending on various economic, regulatory, and managerial factors.
Media Companies Grapple With AI Both Inside And Outside Newsrooms
Leading media companies, including CNN, The New York Times, and Reuters, have blocked AI tools, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, from scanning their content on the web. Significant publishers like Disney and The Washington Post have taken similar measures against AI. Media organizations are concerned about AI’s use and potential misuse of their content, with copyright infringement lawsuits already being faced by AI developers. Some companies have banned AI chatbots in the workplace due to concerns about sensitive internal data being compromised.
However, despite the concerns, some media companies are embracing AI. Netflix has shown interest in incorporating AI, and BuzzFeed recently announced plans to “lean into AI” after laying off staff. Integrating AI in media has also led to mishaps, such as an Irish daily newspaper unknowingly publishing an AI-generated article. Concerns about the unethical use of AI also extend to consumers, with nearly three-quarters expressing worry. OpenAI recently released an enterprise version of its ChatGPT AI chatbot, which boasts enhanced privacy and security features. However, experts have highlighted risks associated with its use, particularly compromising sensitive internal data.
Microsoft’s Brad Smith says AI could be weaponized.
Microsoft’s president, Brad Smith, has warned that humans must retain control over AI to prevent it from being used as a weapon. Smith stressed the importance of ensuring that AI remains subject to human management, especially in critical infrastructure and military use cases. The comments are part of a broader concern expressed by some in the tech industry about the destructive potential of AI. Elon Musk has previously suggested that AI could be responsible for the end of humanity.
Smith argues that laws and regulations are needed to ensure safety protocols and ethical standards are followed in AI development and deployment. Microsoft has invested heavily in AI, including a $10 billion investment in OpenAI this year. Despite concerns about AI’s negative impacts, Smith believes that AI should be seen as a tool to enhance human capabilities and supplement human workers rather than replace them entirely.
How Long Until A Robot Is Doing Your Chores?
The CEO of Sanctuary AI, Geordie Rose, predicts that the development of humanoid robots will create the largest market in business and technology history. A Vancouver-based firm, Sanctuary AI, is working on a humanoid robot called Phoenix, which aims to understand human commands and carry out tasks. However, Rose and sector experts agree that there is still a long way to go before robots can perform household chores such as laundry and cleaning.
While companies like Tesla and other firms worldwide are making advancements in AI, developing robots that can navigate the physical world and understand the relationship between objects remains challenging. Currently, humanoid robots are being trained for specific tasks, such as packing clothes into bags. Overcoming this challenge will require giving robots a sense of touch and the ability to adapt to unpredictable situations. Despite the obstacles, Rose believes humanoid robots could help address worker shortages in future countries, freeing humans to focus on tasks that machines are not good at.
Tesla’s $300 Million AI Cluster Is Going Live Today.
Tesla is launching a supercomputer to enhance its computing capabilities for AI applications. Based on Nvidia H100 compute GPUs, the cluster will be one of the most powerful machines in the world, with a peak performance higher than that of the fourth-highest-performing supercomputer. The supercomputer will train Tesla’s full self-driving technology faster, potentially gaining a competitive edge over other automakers.
The company also plans to invest over $1 billion in developing its own supercomputer, Dojo, which will accelerate training and manage data processing for Tesla’s vehicle fleet. Tesla’s commitment to overcoming computational bottlenecks is evident through its plans to spend billions on AI training and computing for full self-driving training. The launch of the supercomputer aligns with Tesla’s goal to enhance its computing power in the automotive industry. However, there is a challenge in meeting demand for the Nvidia H100 GPUs, prompting Tesla’s investment in developing its own custom-designed supercomputer.
How to Use AI to Talk to Whales—and Save Life on Earth
Scientists at Earth Species, a group of technologists and engineers, use AI to decode animal communication. Earth Species aims to develop a synthetic version of various animal calls, including those of humpback whales, hummingbirds, bats, and bees. The project’s founders, Aza Raskin and Britt Selvitelle, believe that translating animal communication will engage public interest and promote species conservation. Raskin and Selvitelle’s shift to saving endangered species follows a trend in wildlife tourism, which holds that animal interaction can help protect them.
Earth Species is currently working on sorting the large quantities of data collected from portable biologgers to train machine learning algorithms to identify and flag specific animal calls. Scientists hope the AI tools being developed will improve understanding of animals, enable better conservation efforts, and encourage human empathy towards other species.