I am going to try and not be too pessimistic in this post because I do believe the future is bright. However, there are some things we need to be mindful about which will impart responsibility upon all of us. The reason I state this is because I believe we have the solution.
As I delve further into the world of machine learning, I realize what is truly taking place. It is also why the titans of technology who are working with this are so alarmed. Long story short, the potential job loss forecasts are not overblown. The truth is we honestly do not have any idea how quickly this will move. I feel, the further I go, we are underestimating the capability if anything.
Before delving into this, I should clarify a few things. The term "artificial intelligence" is a catchall phrase. It is not a technology per se since there are many categories underneath it. Machine learning, deep learning, voice recognition, and image recognition are all part of artificial intelligence. All these areas tie into what is starting to disrupt society in a major way. It is also at the core of the employment apocalypse that many are projecting.
In the past, for a computer to do something, a human had to code it. This was slow and a prolonged process albeit very beneficial for us to advance computing forward. Realizing the limitations with that, researchers started to undergo a process of figuring out ways for the computers to program themselves. This is what is meant by machine learning. Some parameters are set up along with initial code put in and away we go. Depending upon the method of learning, humans will interject at certain points to assist the process.
Which brings me to deep learning. This is the approach that is being used for autonomous cars. Deep learning entails feeding in a huge amount of data for the computer to sift through. This is how a computer learns the difference between a cat and a horse. 3M pictures of each are feed into the computer and the data is laid down in layers. By the end, the computer has essentially a daisy chain of data from which to access.
Many traditional AI experts do not feel that deep learning is actually intelligence. They claim that it is nothing more than data mining. They feel that it is all based upon computing power and nothing else. Therefore, they do not believe the advancement is in the AI realm.
Perhaps they are correct. Nevertheless, that does not take away from the impact of this process.
Here is the problem with their viewpoint: computers are getting incredibly fast. The United States just put Summit online last month. It is the world's fastest computer ringing in at 200 quadrillion calculations per second. This device is twice as fast as anything in the world.
https://www.wired.com/story/the-us-again-has-worlds-most-powerful-supercomputer/
This is a title that will not be held for long. Expectations are that, by 2021, we will see the world's first exascale computer. This is 5 times faster than Summit.
https://www.top500.org/news/first-us-exascale-supercomputer-now-on-track-for-2021/
The point is, who knows where we will be in the late 2020's with this technology. Even if "learning" is limited to raw processing power, we will have it in droves. Couple this with the amount of data we are producing each year and it is easy to see how much of an impact this can make.
Of course, this is not to say that the other areas of machine learning and AI will not advance. The evolutionary approach to machine learning, as an example, is making great strides.
This all leads me to the conclusion that we are going to see some serious changes over the next 10-12 years. Jobs are going to be eliminated due to technology. There simply is no way around it. Whatever the task, we will see the advancement of computing be able to handle it. Our hardware alone is advancing at a pace to provide that.
Here is where we see the emergence of the useless class.
This is a term that only started being used. It describes the ten of millions of people who are going to be useless to the corporate economy. Since so many jobs will be replaced by technology, and at such a rapid pace, people eliminated simply will not have the skills to adapt.
Here is a sampling:
Paralegals: useless
Radiologists: useless
Transportation drivers: useless
Market analysts: useless
Systems analysts: useless
Accountants: useless
Network administrators: useless
Realtors: useless
Customer service reps: useless
People in manufacturing: useless
Financial Planners: useless
XRay/MRI Techs: useless
Copywriters: useless
Warehouse Personnel: useless
This is just a small list that I threw together. There are many industries that are going to be disrupted which might not be completely eliminated, yet will cause massive downsizing. The financial arena comes to mind. AmazonGo is already automating most of the grocery experience. Do you not believe that technology will not adopted by companies like Wal-Mart and Home Depot? Of course it will.
The mantra out of the corporate world is that they are not eliminating jobs, just the repetitive tasks that bore workers. By eliminating them, it allows workers to concentrate on higher, more stimulating activities. Don't buy into that. These corporations are looking to dump people as quickly as they can.
They will not hesitate to enlarge the useless class. After all, they are intent on creating it. They do not want workers since that takes away from the quarterly profits. If they can do all the work without people (or fewer ones) their profits soar.
This is where the STEEM community has a responsibility. We are early adopters into crypto-economics. Over the next decade, we will see tokens take over. The global economy is going to be tokenized. Early adopters stand to suffer the least when the technological fireworks really start.
We are sitting upon an absolute goldmine. STEEM is going to be one of the leading blockchains for a long time once all the developments discussed emerges. Therefore, we need to do all we can to make sure we are spreading the word about it. Tens of millions of people are going to be suffering a lot more than they are now. We have the solution to their problems: tokens.
Cryptocurrency turns useless into useful. The reason this happens is because people can be rewarded and incentivized for whatever they do. Taking care of grandma is not of value to the corporate world unless you stick her in a nursing home. Of course, to the family, it could have enormous value. Same with raising kids. Or volunteering. Or a thousand of other things we do in life. They all have value and are of use.
The difference is society benefits, not the corporations.
And this is what crypto-economics offers. The ability to decentralize away from the corporations and their control to a way of life that rewards everyone. We move the resources in the hands of a few while giving it to the many.
I believe most of those who read my posts understand this. Unfortunately, we are only a small, minute percentage of society. Most of the world is totally unaware of what is coming. This is a warning. Overall, it is of benefit because people are living in slavery. Thus, breaking the chains by emerging from the system is imperative.
Yet it will not be without pain.
This is where Steemians (and all crypto hodlers) can assist by spreading the message. While most will not want to hear it, bet the ranch when the next recession hits, they will be open to what you are saying.
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