Will Technology be at odds with humanity? It’s truly remarkable when I observe young individuals in pursuit of job opportunities, deciding on their career paths, and determining what to study in courses that will shape their future. On such occasions, adults often dispense advice that may not be entirely helpful, as it’s often based on their own experiences.
When we advise young people on their professional success, we often fail to assess their aptitude, interests, and, most importantly, their potential. This is where we go wrong from the start. Although reflecting on our past experiences is relevant for making informed decisions about the future, the past becomes almost inconsequential when considering the job market, which has evolved significantly over the last 20 years.
In this context, discussing ethics, morality, and behavior in the job market is one thing, while addressing academic and professional aspects is another. For the latter, it’s crucial to evaluate the disruptions that have occurred or will occur in the interim, as well as the level of demand and supply in the chosen field. Predicting the future is not within everyone’s reach.
Therefore, when contemplating education, career development, or even in the aftermath of losing a job to Artificial Intelligence (AI), it’s essential to understand the factors that will shape the future of humanity, the required skills, and how people can apply their knowledge in light of emerging trends.
Indeed, these trends will continue to gain prominence. For example, in the 1980s, the prevailing belief was to pursue careers in law, engineering, or medicine, without much consideration for the future. It was primarily based on the assumption that these professions offered low unemployment risks.
One noteworthy trend, among many others, revolves around the issue of privacy. This will be a concern that will affect all segments of society. Imagine a future where every street corner, vehicle, building, and person is equipped with a camera, monitoring every move of individuals. Or consider a world without physical currency, where every transaction is recorded, be it through a card or a digital system. Hence, solutions to address these transformations must be developed promptly.
Similarly, when contemplating the environment and the direction society is heading, reports from the United Nations paint a grim picture of the future. Therefore, an engineer’s role will extend beyond constructing sustainable homes; they will need to specialize in urban and rural infrastructure tailored to accommodate climate changes. This could include methods like street cooling to combat extreme heat or innovative sanitation systems, as water and air quality will be compromised by pollution.
Another example is the realm of cybersecurity. In a world where virtually everything is connected to the internet, from cars to eyeglasses, sneakers, watches, and even human brains, the importance of safeguarding against cyber threats cannot be overstated. Furthermore, consider the concept of de-extincting animals in Australia or even resurrecting dinosaurs in Argentina. There’s also the notion of editing human DNA to create superhumans, geoengineering to counteract the negative impact of human actions, or the possibility of becoming a space tourist on Jupiter’s moon.
So, if you’ve lost your job to Artificial Intelligence, it’s crucial to adapt to what the future demands. Make your profession indispensable to the world by aligning your career choices with the predictions outlined in genuine reports for the coming years. Legislation will be needed to regulate new systems, individuals will be required to train machines and humans to work for the common good, and experts will be essential in managing crises, disseminating knowledge, and providing solutions that hinge solely on human capability.
Humanity still possesses significant advantages over AI, including the capacity to dream, imagine, aspire, display curiosity, ambition, and a sense of purpose. Humans possess an inherent drive to leave a legacy and invent what has never existed. Technology, while valuable, operates as a tool that collaborates with a team of individuals endowed with human intelligence, who specialize in addressing the future’s unique challenges. Let go of the past and forge the future.
As a pioneering force in technology innovation, Schnaider serves as a co-founder and CEO for Platform Capital pioneering AI-Driven Supply Chain Innovations with Wisefy, aiming to redefine global supply chains through advanced AI solutions. A whiz in the tech arena, Schnaider developed a transformative eCommerce platform at just 14 years old and mobile payment at 22 years old which has since been employed by major brands. His career encompasses pivotal roles in Israel's elite Intelligence Unit 8200, a software consultant with IBM, and executive leadership as the CEO of a Brazilian subsidiary specializing in IoT, Big Data, and AI.
