{"id":5375,"date":"2021-03-09T10:09:12","date_gmt":"2021-03-09T10:09:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/techclot.com\/index.php\/2021\/03\/09\/we-need-a-humanitarian-vision-for-ai-and-robotics\/"},"modified":"2021-03-09T10:09:12","modified_gmt":"2021-03-09T10:09:12","slug":"we-need-a-humanitarian-vision-for-ai-and-robotics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/techclot.com\/index.php\/2021\/03\/09\/we-need-a-humanitarian-vision-for-ai-and-robotics\/","title":{"rendered":"We need a humanitarian vision for AI and robotics"},"content":{"rendered":"

We need a humanitarian vision for AI and robotics<\/a><\/p>\n

Robotics and artificial intelligence are beginning to transform a broad spectrum of industries, and I believe that in time, given its near-endless applications, omnipresent AI will contribute $150 trillion to the global economy.  I also believe that humanitarian efforts all over the world will be greatly advanced by emerging artificial intelligence and robotics technologies as they continue on their rapid exponential growth trajectory.<\/p>\n

\n
\"The
Starship robots are advanced devices that deliver parcels, groceries and food directly from stores via a mobile app within a 4-mile radius, Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

But before we can begin to analyse and realize the potential of humanitarian AI and robotics, we have to address the most common questions that people ask about the future of human and machine collaboration.  Will robots take our jobs?  And will artificial intelligence and robots create a more unequal society?<\/p>\n

Back in 1962, Doug Engelbart<\/a> hypothesized that the future of our race lay not in replacing humans but in augmenting <\/em>them. His work culminated in the invention of the computer mouse.  After Apple and Microsoft repackaged it for commercial deployment, the computer mouse changed the course of modern life by transforming human productivity. <\/p>\n

Similarly, at this inflection point of artificial intelligence and robotics, I actually think that what we are looking at is the prospect of a huge leap forward in productivity that will allow humans to accomplish more, not less.  Yes, short term disruption is inevitable, and it may even widen the gap between rich and poor.  But over longer time horizons I believe that by augmenting human abilities using AI and robotics all of humanity can be much better off.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Amazon
An Amazon Kiva robot, which helps fill orders by bringing shelves of merchandise to Amazon Associates, navigate an Amazon Fulfillment Center on February 13, 2015 in DuPont, Washington, Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

By assigning robots the task of working in hazardous conditions such as poor lighting, toxic chemicals, tight spaces and heavy lifting, we can remove the risk to humans of workplace injuries.  By deploying robots to execute dangerous tasks, we can keep humans out of harm\u2019s way.  We can also use robots to assist humans, so that they can continue to work without fearing long-term health issues. <\/p>\n

\n
\"Prince
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is shown a dummy for use in practicing micro robotic Heart surgery, by Professor Abdullah Al Ansari during a tour of the Science and Technology park, Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Take robot-assisted surgery, for example. Surgical robots<\/a> are advanced enough to allow for remote surgery and have already dramatically improved the limitations of minimally invasive surgery.  Exoskeletons<\/a> are currently being developed to help workers with heavy lifting.  Intelligence amplification<\/a> will also open new opportunities for alleviating suffering and improving the human condition.  <\/p>\n

\n
\"The
Engineer Thomas Dwyer stands with the new Bionic Exoskeleton as members of the public walk by during its launch at the Excel centre on October 21, 2011 in London, England, Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Efforts like these in robotics and AI will create more jobs, safer jobs. And I am certain that human ambition will grow proportionately \u2013 if not exponentially \u2013 once that we are freed to focus on doing what we humans do best.<\/p>\n

But whilst I am optimistic that these new technologies have continually amplified our natural human abilities \u2013 and that this trend will not abate any time soon \u2013 I have to emphasize that we can all too easily get ahead of ourselves.  I\u2019d love to concern myself and my team at the not-for-profit Tej Kohli Foundation<\/a> solely with trendy future-forward matters like human longevity<\/a>.  But what I\u2019m really worried about is that, right now, 39 million people can\u2019t see.  Their eyes are failing them, and so are we.<\/p>\n

This is why I\u2019ve committed to take a portion of any profits realized through my investments in robotics and AI<\/a> and from my Zibel Real Estate<\/a> portfolio, and put them towards far more basic and urgent human needs.  Most recently the Tej Kohli Foundation<\/a> gave $2M to Massachusetts Eye and Ear<\/a>, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School.   You can watch Dr. Joan Miller, Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Harvard, talking about our new Tej Kohli Cornea Program here.<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\n