Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to save lives, improve food security and make energy production more efficient and sustainable, all the while reducing the costs of doing business in T&T.
However, Cavelle Joseph-St Omer, president of the Human Resource Management Association of T&T (HRMATT) is advising that for people to maximise the advantage of AI, that would require a strong digital infrastructure, inclusive of widespread internet access and reliable digital services.
These will be among the issues which will be brought to the fore as HRMATT hosts the latest edition in it series of C-Suite Conversations next Wednesday under the theme: Artificial Intelligence vs Human Intelligence (AI) vs HI) at the Hyatt Regency.
Sharing insights on the upcoming executive conversations in an interview with the Business Guardian, Joseph-St Omer said there are some risks in the early stages of introduction where AI can potentially worsen inequality by eroding jobs through automation especially where employers are not upskilling their workforce.
“Intersectionality exists between education and the labour market which presents a risk, and requires that we simultaneously address AI’s impact on both students and the workforce,” she advised adding,”We need to continue to invest in STEM education in schools while simultaneously preparing our workforce. By retraining employees who lost or may lose their jobs due to AI and cultivating high-in-demand skills, we can remain resilient as a country in the face of the massive workforce shifts that lie ahead.”
From a public policy perspective, Joseph-St Omer said the appropriate economic and social policies are needed to drive the digital ecosystem.
Whether such policies include digital literacy, she said ensuring the accessibility of digital infrastructure, or supporting new digital business models, policies can significantly improve the population’s readiness to engage with AI technologies and ensure that regulation is conducive to innovation while protecting the interests of all stakeholders.
“We can ensure that through effective governance, we are ready to embrace AI and maximise HI thereby benefitting from the unique opportunities that lie ahead. We are in the fourth industrial revolution. There is no going back,” Joseph-St Omer added.
At the C-Suite conversation event, she noted themes relating to AI and HI will be discussed across industries and sectors as well as the conference will explore some of the ethical considerations that have to be made in seamlessly integrating AI with human efforts.
While, AI excels in computational power, speed, and accuracy, Joseph-St Omer further noted that HI is driven by emotions, intuition, and complex social interactions. AI relies on predefined algorithms, while HI relies on both innate abilities and continuous learning from experiences.
She noted these are perhaps the main differences of both forms on intelligence.
But exactly where does the battle lie?
Can machines replace humans?
CEO of iGovTT Dr Inshan Meahjohn, who will be part of HRMATT C-Suite panel at the event explained,”As we stand at the crossroads of human and artificial intelligence, it’s crucial to remember that AI’s greatest strength lies not in replacing human ingenuity, but in amplifying it. The future belongs to those who can harness the power of AI while embracing the irreplaceable qualities of human creativity, empathy, and ethical reasoning.”
Stating that the recent achievements of AI to imitate human intelligence more closely than ever before has brought with it a lot of fears Joseph-St Omer said when those fears set in, it is important to remember the ability of humans to apply the acquired knowledge with a sense of logic, reasoning, understanding, learning and experience is the difference between man and machines.
“With knowledge comes power, and with power comes great responsibility. Although machines may be able to mimic human behaviour to a certain extent, their knowledge may fall apart when making rational decisions like us. AI-powered machines make decisions based on events and their association with them. However, they lack ‘common sense’. “And yes, some humans lack common sense just the same, however, AI systems are clueless in the understanding of ‘cause’ and ‘effect’. Meanwhile, real-world scenarios that we face on a daily basis in all spheres of life, need a holistic human approach,” Joseph-St Omer explained.
She added that within recent times there have been some epic AI failures that have raised serious questions and concerns about AI being a part of people’s lives.
One, she said, occurred when Uber self-driving autonomous car killed a pedestrian while under computer control.
“It’s been more than five years since Elaine Herzberg’s death, but the philosophical conundrum became glaringly real: Who gets blamed for a road fatality in an era of self-driving cars, when humans are essentially babysitters of imperfect, still-learning AI systems? Is it the company with the erring car? Or the person behind the wheel who should have intervened?” Joseph-St Omer asked.
On the issue of health, CEO of Patient Connect, Dr Navi Muradali who is another HRMATT C-Suite panelist said AI in healthcare can quickly process a lot of information, find patterns and handle routine tasks.
However, he noted human intelligence is crucial for empathy, making complex decisions, and solving unique problems. He said while AI can help improve efficiency, the care and judgement of healthcare professionals are irreplaceable as the best care comes from using both AI and human skills together
Despite AI’s impressive capabilities, Joseph-St Omer contends it lacks the inherent creativity and empathy that are crucial aspects of human intelligence.
“AI cannot replicate the depth of emotions and the ability to think outside the box as humans can. When we consider the three major aforementioned examples where AI failed, we recognize that AI’s performance heavily relies on the quality and quantity of data it receives. In situations with insufficient or biased data, AI may produce inaccurate results or reinforce existing prejudices. And as AI becomes increasingly prevalent in decision-making processes, ethical concerns will arise. Questions about accountability, transparency, and bias in AI algorithms must be addressed to ensure fair and just outcomes,” she explained.
As major industries integrate AI into its operations, Joseph-St Omer maintained the achievements, such as personalised healthcare, autonomous vehicles, and improved customer service through chatbots cannot be discounted.
However, she emphasised that while AI contributes to efficiency and convenience, HI remains essential in creativity, leadership, empathy and complex problem-solving that require a human touch.
“So rather than a showdown, AI and HI can complement each other. The symbiosis of AI and HI allows for the integration of AI’s capabilities into human activities, enhancing productivity and well-being,” Joseph-St Omer advised.
She further recommended that as the complex landscape of AI and HI continues to be navigated the future belongs to those who embrace the power of collaboration and innovation.
“By harnessing the synergies between artificial and human intelligence, we can pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future where technology enhances our lives without overshadowing our humanity. The reality is the future workplace will be one where humans work alongside AI tech. Let us prepare for it,” Joseph-St Omer suggested.
