Response to Discussion 6

The anticipation of machines taking over jobs is not a new thing. However, the fear gets real when it comes to the unknown outcome of the results brought by AI technologies and robotics automation that humanity never dealt with. Kapan argues that the labor market continually evolves in response to automation. Two hundred years ago when over 90% of the U.S. labor force worked on farms, whereas now barely 2% produce far more food at a fraction of the cost with no detrimental effect in job replacement (Kaplan, 2017). It is essential to transform the skills for individuals to stay competitive in the market. It may require humans to work in conjunction with machines to create cohesive intelligence. In the synthesis domain, human and artificial intelligence work together, creating a kind of integrated intelligence (Lichtenthaler, 2018). As we see the possibilities of transforming fearlessly towards the fourth industrial revolution, we are yet to come across the dire need of universal basic income (UBI) and social investment stipend (SIS). Lee argues that providing UBI may not satisfy human beings' need for meaningful achievements and contributions in life (Sharda, 2020, p. 602). The social investment stipend (SIS) idea is a profound idea Lee came up with. SIS would recognize individuals' contributions to society for providing support and care, community service, or education, and it would be paid in recognition of an individual's service in one of these categories. (Sharda, 2020, p. 602). This scheme is a profound approach in response to the possible change of economic upheaval caused by the technology; however, while incorporating the new method of assistance for individuals, the government has to make sure that it is not negatively affecting the creativity of the people by doing so.

References

Kaplan J. Artificial Intelligence: Think Again. Communications of the ACM. 2017;60(1):36-38.

doi:10.1145/2950039.

Lichtenthaler, U. (2018). Substitute or Synthesis? The Interplay between Human and Artificial

Intelligence. Research Technology Management, 61(5), 12. https://doi.org/10.1080/08956308.2018.1495962

Sharda, R., Delen, D., Turban, E. (2020). Robotics, Social Networks, AI and IoT. Analytics, data

science, & artificial intelligence: Systems for decision support (p. 602). NJ, Pearson.