April 27, 2021 in Inside Story

The human side of artificial intelligence (and analytics)

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Will artificial-intelligence (AI) and machine-learning-powered robots and computers eventually take over the world à la HAL 9000, the leading “actor” in the classic 1968 science fiction film “2001: A Space Odyssey,” and subject humans to minor roles if not eliminate us altogether? The short answer is no – not in 2001, not now and not in, well, forever.

Sure, today’s robots and computers can do an amazing number of chores faster and better than humans, but they only know what they’ve been fed (data) by humans and what they have subsequently taught themselves (through more data). They know what they know, but they have little or no imagination. Robots and computers don’t dream of what’s possible. Humans do, and that makes all the difference.

While it’s true that for many years robots have replaced many jobs once held by humans and will continue to do so at an increasing rate, it’s also true that the demand for such innovation will create more and better-paying jobs only humans can do – aided by AI and machine learning technology. The debate today is whether the former will outpace the latter, but a growing number of analysts consider it an evitable win-win.

Kate Darling, a research specialist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab where she investigates social robotics and conducts experimental studies on human-robot interaction, addressed the topic in her recent plenary presentation at the Virtual 2021 INFORMS Business Analytics Conference.

According to Dr. Darling, “Robots are coming and they’re getting smarter, evolving from single-task devices into machines that can make their own decisions and autonomously navigate public spaces. From transportation systems, hospitals and the military, to the robotization of our workplaces and households, robots will be everywhere and will increasingly interact with people.”

Some of the questions Darling posed (and answered) included: Where does the true potential of AI and robotics lie, and will robots supplement human ability or replace it? What can and can’t robots and AI do? What opportunities and challenges should we anticipate in the future of human-robot interaction? What societal challenges will we face in a future with robots (ethical, legal and social)?

The bottom line: Humans and robots are better together.

For more, click here.

Meanwhile, in the May/June 2021 issue of Analytics magazine, Heine Krog Iversen, CEO of TimeXtender, reminds us in an interview that two very human aspects – our mind and heart – should play a critical role in company and corporate decision-making, even in the data-driven era. “You can’t let the data dominate what you do,” he says. “You have to have a strategy and a plan. It all starts with the strategy, and with the mind to help develop the strategy and with the heart to feel the passion behind the vision.” For more, click here.

We’ll close by mentioning another very human-centric analytics resource, the “Resoundingly Human” podcast series hosted by INFORMS Communications Manager Ashley Kilgore, in which she interviews a wide range of INFORMS members and analytics professionals about their work, careers and insights on current issues of interest. The podcasts bring O.R. and analytics to life by highlighting the incredible contributions of the men and women who are using O.R. and analytics to save lives, save money and solve problems.

Peter Horner
([email protected])

Peter Horner is the editor of Analytics magazine.

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