Humans at capacity: Navigating the future with augmented intelligence
The plethora of economic, social, environmental, and political challenges, combined with a rapidly aging population, raises the question of “Are humans at capacity?”
How can people alone deal with all the problems being thrown at us and at the same time continue to innovate, advance, and produce without risking human wellness, empathy, and satisfaction?
While much has been made of what AI could take away from us, what if it was used to help us and augment our intelligence and capabilities? Working collaboratively, we could ask the right questions faster, speed up solutions to global problems, and give back valuable time. This would allow us to focus on what’s important, and be more human.
I like to challenge the prevailing narrative that AI is a looming threat, poised to replace and diminish human roles. Instead, another version of the future is one where AI acts as a collaborative partner, empowering humans to navigate complex issues more efficiently. By working in tandem with AI, humans could accelerate the pace of innovation, find solutions to global problems more rapidly, and increase the time we have to work on what’s important or spend more time doing the things we love. The aim is not to replace human ingenuity but to augment it, allowing individuals to focus on critical aspects such as empathy, wellness, and satisfaction.
At the heart of this vision lies the belief that collaborative efforts between humans and AI can lead to a more harmonious and productive future. By automating routine tasks and streamlining processes, AI could free up valuable time and mental resources for individuals to engage in more meaningful endeavors. A key aspect of this collaboration is the ability to ask the right questions faster — an essential skill in addressing complex issues.
Imagine a scenario where AI is a meaningful virtual assistant sorting through vast amounts of data to identify patterns and correlations. This can significantly expedite problem-solving, enabling humans to make informed decisions more quickly. With AI’s analytical prowess, humans can gain deeper insights into intricate problems, fostering a more nuanced understanding of global challenges. And that future is close. 50% of what we do at work in 2023 will be automated within 15 years.
Embracing AI as a collaborative partner can lead to accelerated innovation, too. Humans can dedicate more time to creative thinking, exploration, and experimentation by automating repetitive tasks. This shift in focus from mundane tasks to inventive endeavors has the potential to unlock new realms of possibility, driving progress across various fields. In a recent publication of a case study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, generative AI boosted workers’ productivity by 13.8 percent at a Fortune 500 company, increasing customer satisfaction while reducing employee turnover.
One of the key advantages of this collaborative approach is its potential impact on global problem-solving. As the world grapples with issues like climate change, resource depletion, and public health crises, the collective intelligence of humans and AI converges to devise effective and timely solutions. The speed at which these solutions can be generated becomes crucial in addressing the urgency of many global challenges.
This also applies to the global GDP. Breakthroughs in generative artificial intelligence have the potential to bring about sweeping changes to the global economy, according to Goldman Sachs Research. As tools using advances in natural language processing work their way into businesses and society, they could drive a 7% (or almost $7 trillion) increase in global GDP.
However, the ultimate goal is a more holistic human experience. With AI handling routine tasks, individuals can focus on cultivating empathy, strengthening social bonds, and pursuing personal fulfillment. The future includes a world where humans are liberated from repetitive, mundane work, enabling them to lead more enriching lives.
While this vision paints a promising picture of the future, it has its challenges and ethical considerations. There is a need for responsible AI development, ensuring that the collaboration between humans and machines adheres to ethical standards. Questions of privacy, bias, and accountability must be addressed to create a symbiotic relationship that benefits our future.
The concept of humans at capacity opens the door to a paradigm shift in our approach to technology. Rather than viewing AI as a threat, I invite you to explore the possibilities of collaborative intelligence.
By leveraging AI to augment human capabilities, we can address global challenges more effectively, accelerate innovation, and create a future where humanity thrives. It’s not about replacing humans; it’s about empowering them to be more human in the face of an ever-evolving world. As we navigate the complexities of the future, the fusion of human ingenuity and artificial intelligence may hold the key to a more resilient and compassionate world.
