The Dawn of Human Replacement: When AI Goes Physical
Let’s get physical, physical
I wanna get physical
Let’s get into physical
Let me hear your body talk, your body talk
Let me hear your body talk
- Physical, Olivia Newton-John (1982)
Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have made me ponder the future of the people on Earth. AI is evolving at a pace far outrunning our own biological capacities. Everything points to that we are at the dawn of human replacement.
AI and the Future of Work
AI’s growth is staggering. It’s not just confined to software anymore, but is — through the use of API’s and IoT — manifesting itself physically in the world around us.
Imagine, if you will: fully automated machines building houses, autonomous trucks driving cargo across countries, AI-operated ships and planes traversing continents, robotic farms, self-driving taxis, heavy machinery with no human operator, AI-powered soldiers, postmen and teachers... The shift is paramount: AI is becoming an unavoidable, unstoppable force of nature.
This integration of AI into the physical world represents a watershed moment. AI is no longer just a brainy chatbot or a smart assistant: AI is becoming an entity that can interact with, manipulate, and alter our physical environment. This shift is, in part, driven by economic forces. Reduced labor costs will accelerate the transition from human to machine-aided work far faster than we might predict — or be able to prepare for. We are not talking centuries, or even decades. We might be talking years.
Millions and milliGlobally, millions upon millions of jobs will become obsolete. Earlier, I have written about how the creative industry is already feeling the heat. More and more grocery stores are replacing human employees with self-service checkout stalls. AI-powered robots are shaking up the multibillion-dollar window-cleaning industry. Amazon deploys collaborative robots in its operations. Elon Musk is launching robot taxis. Upwork reports there is a whopping 33% reduction in writing jobs from November 1, 2022, to February 14, 2024. And major record labels are suing AI-powered music service Suno, for fear of their composers and producers being out of a job.
What will these, and other, displaced workers do? How will society cope with this dramatic upheaval? As machines enter the workforce, there will not be enough work for everyone. This reality is stark and unavoidable. Without jobs, people cannot provide for themselves. Yet, food, rent, and bills still need to be paid. This brings a fundamental understanding: the inevitable implementation of Universal Basic Income (UBI).
Universal Basic Income will become a societal necessity as AI takes over tasks we once prided ourselves on completing. Our work-related aspirations, challenges, and personal goals will be gobbled up by cold machines, performing tasks in a fraction of the time and cost. As AI assumes more work, humans will transition from producers to pure consumers. Actual work may become a luxury — a rare opportunity for a select few, rather than something for the masses.
A Question of Accountability
This seismic shift raises serious questions about control and accountability. AI’s integration into every aspect of our lives — from financial systems to complete information repositories and the physical world — necessitates responsible oversight. Who will control this super intelligence? Who will decide what the AI deems best? Can we even hope to control a superintelligence with complete insight into, and access to, our lives? And if we can, who watches the watchmen?
There are also legal perspectives. Just last month, body-cam footage from the Phoenix Police Department shows how an officer stopped a driverless car after it allegedly drove into oncoming traffic. After the traffic stop, the officer is stuck talking with Waymo’s customer service on speakerphone. The question, both in this incident and future others: Where does the legal responsibility lie when AI goes astray? (As a lawyer myself, I plan to cover this topic in a future post)
The future of AI’s relationship with humanity hangs in the balance. Will AI see us as eternal masters, akin to a loyal Golden Retriever, happy to serve and do our bidding? Or will it view humans as an existential threat, better off enslaving or even removing? While we can (still) program certain safeguards, the unknown void of a superintelligent AI’s intentions is a dark and foreboding inevitability.
As we journey towards technological singularity, we must approach these questions responsibly. Our societal structures, economic systems, and personal identities will be challenged in ways we have yet to fully comprehend. The dawn of human replacement by AI is not just a technological evolution — it’s a shift in the very fabric of our reality. Are we ready for it?
The clock is ticking. AI is getting physical.