AI (Artificial Intelligence) is the new electricity’’ – Andrew Ng

Andrew Ng, a leading figure in artificial intelligence (AI) famously said, “AI is the new electricity.” This comparison draws on the transformative power of electricity, which revolutionised nearly every aspect of life when it was first harnessed. Similarly, AI is poised to reshape our world in profound ways.

• When electricity was introduced, it fundamentally altered how we live and work. It powered innovations in transportation, manufacturing, communication, and daily life. Factories moved from manual labour to automated production lines, which drastically improved efficiency but also led to significant job displacement. Workers who once made goods by hand, such as handmade textiles and utensils, found their roles becoming obsolete as machines took over.
• Today, AI is following a similar path. It is revolutionising industries by enhancing capabilities and automating tasks that were once the sole domain of humans. 
  • For example, in healthcare, AI assists doctors with operations and diagnostics, providing insights that improve patient outcomes. In education, AI-powered tools are helping students learn more effectively by offering personalised support and resources. Agriculture has also seen a boost, with AI helping farmers determine the best times to sow seeds and identifying soil types to optimise crop yield. The transport sector is on the cusp of a revolution as well, with self-driving cars poised to become a reality.
• However, as with the advent of electricity, the rise of AI brings with it concerns about job displacement. In the early days of electricity, many workers lost their jobs to machines, and now a similar trend is occurring with AI.
  • Coding jobs, once considered highly secure and in demand, are becoming less vital as AI systems like ChatGPT can generate code autonomously. Similarly, customer service roles, which were once filled by humans handling queries and complaints, are increasingly being replaced by AI-driven bots that can handle large volumes of customer interactions efficiently.

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Conclusion

While AI promises to bring about incredible advancements and efficiencies, it also raises important questions about the future of work. As AI continues to evolve, it is crucial to consider its impact on employment and to prepare for the changes it will bring. Just as society adapted to the changes brought by electricity, there will be a need to adapt to the new realities shaped by AI.Thus,  Andrew Ng’s comparison of AI to electricity is both apt and thought-provoking as AI is set to revolutionise our world and while this brings tremendous potential for progress, it also necessitates careful consideration of its broader societal impacts.

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