Artificial Intelligence: Change, Adapt and Evolve or Become Redundant

Perhaps a seemingly blanket and unnecessarily harsh headline, as some have mentioned. Yet, whilst blunt, my sentiment is true and is an accurate reflection of a technological uprising which largely remains unstoppable. The initial onset of a technological revolution occurred during the industrial period in Great Britain circa. 1760 and was adopted later across Europe and America around 1840. Today, a new modern revolution is coming, and we must learn to embrace it along with an uncertain tomorrow.

With New Technology, New Opportunities Arise

Artificial intelligence has taken most of us by surprise with various tools and algorithms that claim to aid consumers, businesses and industry. However, it’s unfortunate that AI is enduring an enormous hype-cycle with an inflated expectation and an exaggerated scope and purpose. Naturally, we must sift through the bubbling excitement and wait for it to fizzle out, when we may have better visibility as to what is palpable across the AI landscape.

In the meantime, AI is currently causing panic and concerns and, as such, we are faced with the ‘neo-luddites.’ A group of modern-day anti-technology campaigners who continue to oppose the evolution of present technology, in particular artificial intelligence. You see, the term ‘luddites’ emerged during the industrial revolution, where today these campaigners have again resurfaced, echoing a similar theme that artificial intelligence will rob us of our employment, and they’re right! Alas, ‘technological unemployment’ is inevitable. and most, if not all of us, have every opportunity to change, adapt and evolve. Certainly, with new technology, new opportunities will emerge requiring revised skill sets and experience but those who resist change will inevitably become redundant.

Humans Can be Lazy and Careless

Nevertheless, this transition isn’t going to happen overnight and there will be a period which will allow us to become increasingly confident with artificial intelligence and its periphery subsets. Once this confidence has reached a level of ‘trust,’ AI systems may take the lead, and have a greater responsibility across many industries. This transitionary period will likewise afford many human resources to develop, retrain and acquire new abilities as the concept matures. We also have every opportunity to prepare for an economised and effective workplace for a better future, as we mould and utilise our procured skills to an inevitable technological change. It’s here to stay, and we must learn to adapt and accept it.

The industrial revolution initiated a sense of pride with precision and accuracy in manufacturing and production, where such craftmanship has become threaded with everything we produce today. Through expertly automated manufacturing processes for products like our smartphones, tablets and other miscellaneous gadgets, the assurance of quality is never compromised during the assembly process. Equally, business processes and the like, have become streamlined and more cost effective, across many sectors. Let’s not forget, humans can be utterly lazy and carless leading to inefficiencies and poor-quality products and services, likely compounding the consumer experience.

We Have Lost that Work Ethic

Today’s younger and modern generation, and certainly those more mature ‘savvy’ employees, have adjusted their mindsets over the years and nowadays prioritise ‘life expectations,’ over an office-governed work environment, favouring new hybrid employment routes. The ‘Working From Home’ and ‘quite quitter’ groups have both emerged for employers and employees who now seek additional time with family and friends. Just to clarify, I’m not suggesting that the working from home clan and the quite quitters are the same, as many who work from home tend to coordinate their working day around children or similar priorities, yet deliver what’s needed regardless of the hour. 

Most of us took pride in the value of having a job and possessed a working ethic and pride in what we delivered.

 Quiet quitters, by contrast, have abandoned any real drive to contribute beyond the bare minimum. They cling to their job description like a shield, clocking in at nine and bolting out at five on the dot, regardless of what’s left undone. Even within those hours, their day is padded with coffee breaks and chatter before any actual work begins. Once the clock strikes home time, they switch off entirely – no emails, no calls, no effort. It’s a mindset that trades ambition for idleness, leaving them coasting while others carry the weight.

Until next time…

The extra time once freely given—regardless of pay—is now dismissed in favour of personal agendas and an obsession with leisure. Rather than embracing the chance to earn more or take pride in producing work that strengthens both their own prospects and the business, they retreat into comfort and avoidance. Pride in output has been replaced with excuses and escape. But if they won’t step up, artificial intelligence will—tirelessly, efficiently, and without complaint.

I really do understand the need for AI-empowered systems, and welcome the opportunity to use such systems, as cost-effective, accurate and time-saving options when compared with human resources. AI tools can work continuously seven days a week over 24 hours, void of coffee, cigarette breaks and cafeteria gossip—and with no complaint. If I could avoid the tittle-tattle gossip of the schoolyard and save time and money, I would streamline my workforce, as it would bring about quality, efficiency and reliability.

The future of humanity and its well-being rests upon the continued evolution of technology, so this is where a “technology advocate” Dr G signs off.