The Man (Robot?) Behind the Curtain

Ashley Messick is a Bexley resident and the Founder of Nerd Mama, an in-home tech support company for any age. | www.nerdmama.com

I am sure you have seen stories about AI or Artificial Intelligence in the news lately. AI is revolutionizing how we live and interact with the world. According to Google, AI is "a set of technologies that enable computers to perform various advanced functions, including the ability to see, understand and translate spoken and written language, analyze data, make recommendations, and more." For example, AI technology is found in commonly used apps and products like Waze/Google Maps, Siri/Alexa/Cortana, Ring doorbells, Apple Watches, Peletons, smart thermostats/lighting, and store self-checkouts.

One general apprehension of AI technology is that it will eventually replace some jobs since robots are cheaper, safer, and more efficient than humans in various arenas. According to the World Economic Forum's "The Future of Jobs Report 2020," AI will replace 85 million jobs worldwide by 2025. Though that sounds daunting, the report also says AI will create 97 million new jobs in that same timeframe. There is also the concern that AI technology will misuse data. AI allows devices to watch, listen, and learn- sometimes without our knowledge. Who hasn't seen an ad on social media for something they have recently talked about out loud? It's an unnerving feeling.

But, whether we like it or not, AI technology is here to stay. It will reshape our world as we know it today, likely in ways we cannot yet predict. As consumers, all we can do is stay vigilant, stay informed, and hope that the power of AI will be used for good instead of evil.