In recent years, AI (artificial intelligence) has rapidly evolved and its range of applications has expanded. While they find it convenient, many people may also be concerned that AI will take away human jobs.
In this context, the word “singularity” has come to be heard often. Singularity is translated as technological singularity in the IT field and refers to the turning point where AI surpasses human intelligence.
In this column, I will explain the detailed meaning of the singularity, and when it will occur, including negative arguments. Please use this as a reference for how to deal with AI in the future.
INDEX
- Meaning of singularity (technological singularity)
- When will the singularity occur? The leading theory is 2045
- Prediction of changes in the world after the singularity occurs
- How to deal with singularity and AI
- summary
Meaning of singularity (technological singularity)
Singularity means “singularity” in Japanese, and refers to a turning point that brings about major changes in the way society operates.
In recent years, the term has been increasingly used to refer to the point at which AI (artificial intelligence) surpasses human intelligence or the technological singularity that lies beyond the development of AI.
It is said that when the singularity is reached, AI (artificial intelligence) will repeatedly update itself independently and will no longer require human support.
When will the singularity occur? The leading theory is 2045
The most well-known theory for when the singularity will occur is the 2045 theory. The background to this is that Ray Kurzweil, a world authority on artificial intelligence research, advocated the 2045 theory in his book.
For this reason, the point at which the singularity is reached has come to be called the 2045 problem, and with the dramatic development of deep learning in the 2010s, it has received even more attention.
Relationship with the law of accelerating returns
The prediction that the singularity will be reached in 2045 is based on the law of accelerating returns.
This is a law based on the idea that technological progress progresses exponentially due to the chain history of one invention giving rise to the next.
Especially since the spread of the Internet, technological advances have been remarkable. When calculating the progress of AI (artificial intelligence) based on this premise, it was predicted that the singularity would be reached in 2045.
Prediction of changes in the world after the singularity occurs
What changes will occur in our daily lives after we reach the Singularity? Here, we will introduce predictions of changes in the world after the singularity.
Many jobs will disappear and new ones will be created
It has been said for some time now that human jobs will be eliminated due to the evolution of AI, but there are various theories regarding this. However, it is also true that many jobs can be replaced by AI.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, 49% of Japanese occupations (employees) may be replaced by AI in the future.
*Source: Information and Communications White Paper 2016 (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications)
At present, AI is good at areas such as improving work efficiency and productivity, and it can be said that occupations where routine work accounts for a large proportion of work are likely to be affected by AI.
Even if the singularity does not occur, we cannot deny the possibility that many jobs will disappear due to the development of AI.
On the other hand, jobs that support the introduction of AI and new jobs using AI are expected to be created, and the total amount of work is expected to increase.
Labor will disappear and basic income will be introduced.
There is also a theory that when the singularity occurs and the number of jobs that can be replaced by AI increases, the introduction of basic income will progress.
Basic income is a system that provides a fixed amount of money every month to all people unconditionally, regardless of age or gender, in order to guarantee the minimum standard of living for the people. It has been a hot topic in the Diet for the past few years, as there is a movement to introduce it in Japan.
Jobs that can be replaced by AI often have clear business procedures, which is an area where AI is good. On the other hand, one of the characteristics of jobs that are difficult to replace with AI is that communication is complex. In this case, there are concerns that whether or not jobs can be replaced by AI will create economic disparities and make poverty more likely to intensify.
Against this background, people are arguing that the introduction of basic income could help solve this problem. Of course, introducing basic income is not easy in terms of financial resources. Furthermore, even if a basic income were introduced, it would not be a fundamental solution.
How to deal with singularity and AI
Whether the singularity occurs or not, AI will continue to replace human jobs little by little.
So, how should we interact with AI in the future? Here, we will explain how to deal with the singularity and AI.
Improve your skills in areas where AI is weak
In order to realize the division of labor with AI, it is important to improve your skills in areas where AI is weak and increase your own market value.
It is said that jobs that require creativity and collaboration have low substitutability in any country.
By building up your skills in areas where AI is weak, it will become easier to divide labor with AI.
In particular, communication skills, which are still considered important in all jobs, are expected to become even more important in the future.
Be on the side of using AI
Advances in AI are not all bad things. If AI can finish tasks that previously took time for humans in an instant, humans will be able to carry out more essential tasks.
Therefore, AI is expected to play an important role in solving the problem of labor shortages due to the declining birthrate and aging population.
It is inevitable that AI will become indispensable for the development of society in the future. One strategy is to stand on the side of using AI and utilize AI as a tool to advance business.
To do this, you must acquire knowledge of programming and deep learning to create AI.
AI can be used even if you do not have technical knowledge of AI, and the number of companies that provide services that make it easy to use AI is increasing. However, it’s always a good idea to deepen your understanding of the technical aspects.
By knowing what AI can and cannot do, you will be able to deal with problems and discover new business opportunities.
summary
Singularity is a term that refers to the singularity where AI attains higher intelligence than humans.
After the singularity occurs, human jobs will be replaced by AI, and various changes are predicted, such as basic income being introduced as a solution.
There is no stopping AI from encroaching on human work. We, humans, need to continually improve our skills in areas that AI cannot do and move forward with more essential work.
