Why the march of technology doesn’t scare me
Two recent tech-related links made me finally sit up and take notice of the profound effects AI and machine learning will have on our society.
The first was news that an AI platform was able to write news stories. You see, I’m a writer by trade. As a former journalist, I always assumed no machine could match my prose and insight. It made me realise that there’s no hiding place even for my white-collar skillset.
The second was even more unnerving. In the US, they have developed micro drones which can close in on and encircle a target. It doesn’t sound so amazing — there have been homing devices for decades. But these drones demonstrate advanced swarm behaviours such as collective decision-making. They can even adapt their flying formation. Anyone who watches the video will see how chillingly awesome the technology is.
Tech changes everything
Why am I rambling about military and literary tech advances when I work in financial services?
Because technology advances will change our society over the next five years. 47% of jobs are at risk of potential automation in the US, 35% in Britain — and a game-changing 49% in Japan.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Far from it. History has shown that technological advances are likely to create as many jobs as they subsume. If it is easier to perform simple tasks, the demand for those activities is likely to rise. Think of the way we book holidays. Technology has made it easy for us to browse and find cost-effective holidays en masse, rather than being funneled through the 9–5 availability of a travel agency. We can crowdfund
good ideas.
Tech can change us for the better
Technology also helps us track our personal progress and habits. What started with stopwatches and spreadsheets has evolved to fitbits and financial dashboards. The beauty of these is that they hold up an uncompromising mirror to us — but on our terms. Want to lose two kilos in six months? Your devices will give you a dispassionate update on how you are progressing towards the goal you entered. Made a resolution to finally get on top of your finances? Technology can bring together everything you want to review so there are no hiding places for naughty spending!
Tech — it’s in your hands
Technology puts the power in our hands to be more informed and make better decisions. It minimises the burden of finding information, making it much easier to research and make comparisons. When well executed, it can help those of us who are time-poor to still be savvy and organised.
But it still needs that first step — that commitment from each of us. The platforms to help us build better habits are there. It’s down to us to commit to and stick to our programme. Even when the going gets tough and we don’t like what our device is telling us, we know we will reap the rewards in the long term.
The author is Director EMEA Head of Educational Team at Blackrock and advisor at ernest.ai — the views and opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of any other employer or company.
