New technologies raise strong emotions from hope and excitement to panic. AI surely is going to change the job market, but what exactly should we expect, and what can it mean to people with Specific Learning Disorders?
Artificial intelligence
is defined as the ability of a digital program to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings, for example, reasoning and learning from previous experiences. This technology causes strong emotions because many people think of high intelligence as a specifically human trait.
This term is also sometimes used colloquially to describe various kinds of digital innovation (for example chatbots) that at first sight look as if they used AI, but, in reality, their way of working is way simpler. As a side effect, you might think that Artificial Intelligence suddenly became very common, when in reality it is still too early to fully assess the possibilities given by this technology and predict all the changes that it will catalyse.
Innovations that change the world
This is not the first time when a huge invention changed the job market. One of the most commonly used examples is the sewing machine, which raised big protests in the nineteenth century. Numerous people worried that it would take the jobs away from the workers producing clothes. In reality, the fashion industry started employing more people than it ever did. The working conditions, nonetheless, got worse, showing that the real issue lied somewhere else.
Even though we made huge technological progress through the years, there always is enough work for human employees, but this comes at a huge price. Big companies grow stronger to the point when they monopolise the market, and our environment suffers because of growing production. In the case of Artificial Intelligence, there is also a question of inclusivity, because we already know that the programs can replicate the prejudices of its creators. If we are to break this cycle, we have to work together and think globally.
Possible solutions
Each new invention produces new resources and – from a global point of view – makes us richer. The problem is when the people who already have a lot keep all the profits. Therefore, we should advocate for reducing the gap between the poor and the wealthy. We can also vote for the law that favours small businesses instead of big corporations as well as the regulations protecting the employees against inhumane working conditions.
It is also important to search for solutions that minimise the risk of discrimination and invest in those that help achieve equality. There are numerous examples of technologies useful to those with disabilities, including Specific Learning Disorders. Tools, such as spell-checkers, are extremely helpful and with the use of AI they can become even more advanced. Such programs do not take away jobs from people, in fact, they make it possible for people with SLDs to enter the workforce.
To sum up, the digital tools themselves are not the problem. The main issue is: how to use them responsibly so that they make the lives of millions of people better. If you are interested in improving work stability and career development for young people, you can check out the DysPro project, helping future workers with Specific Learning Differences to choose the right job for them, and informing employers how to make their companies more inclusive.
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References:
Artificial intelligence (AI) | Definition, Examples, Types, Applications, Companies, & Facts | Britannica. (2023, August 23). https://www.britannica.com/technology/artificial-intelligence
Co zrobić, żeby AI nie zabrało nam pracy? (2023, August 16), retrieved from: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7sP2nXViQUe9nVMee1tMf5