In 1803, Richard Trevithick demonstrated a new product in London. Over the next century that product was further developed and refined until it was introduced commercially. People all over the world were terrified of this new product and particularly worried that it placed TOO MUCH reliance on Human reaction times for safety.
By automating transportation, the horseless carriage removed the horse from the equation as well as requiring increased attention by the driver and therefore, increased the risks of these vehicles for hitting pedestrians. The increased speed also increased the risks for both the passengers and the people on the street.
The net result was the elimination of huge numbers of jobs associated with horse-drawn vehicles, the increase in the weights of freight that could be transported locally, the increase in mobility of the public and the creation of a new range of occupations.
In the mid 20th Century, digital TSPS systems began replacing the pull/and/plug telephone switchboards and eliminated the operators in companies.
The introduction of the PC revolutionized business by changing the way accounting was done, letters were written, and small-batch documents were printed.
I have been thinking about AI lately. Much like any new technology, the initial discussions surround fears about how this new technology will result in chaos, the destruction of national morals and the elimination of jobs.
But, this is not the topic of this essay. What I want to address is how this new technology can be expected to revolutionize businesses and how they operate.
LAW
AI may be able to provide written legal briefs.
The mass of legal opinions, regulations and laws is most likely too large for any attorney to master. This has led to more and more specialization as the smaller the scope, the more limited the volume of documents. AI has no such limit. It seems that the research work that entry-level attorneys currently do for the senior partners will no longer be necessary. AI legal opinions will be far more comprehensive and organized than other humans, particularly the less experienced ones, could possibly provide. As AI learns more and more, the briefs generated will be better and better. Senior partners will still need to review and edit those briefs, but the current staffs of paralegals, researchers and junior partners will be reduced and the cost/benefit for them will result in staff reduction much as telephone switchboard operators, accounting clerks, stenographers and blacksmiths saw job eliminations.
HUMAN RESOURSES
AI is faster and more capable of sorting through job applicants to find the right fit. AI generated chatbots can sift candidates based on the pre-determined characteristics that the company needs. This leads to a faster process for the company as well as the candidate, increasing the efficiency of job placement.
ADVERTISING
Just as Desktop Publishing and inkjet printers removed a lot of the normal small-batch printing and development of marketing materials, flyers and envelope stuffers, AI-generated advertising will reduce the need for outside advertising agencies to make and submit materials to trade publications. Companies will now be able to do that in-house, with less expense and shorter lead times.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
We have already seen an increase in computer-generated customer service and support. AI will be able to make this experience even more personal.
THE IOT and AI
The internet-of-things, empowered by G5 wireless will combine with AI to provide consumers and businesses with tools unimaginable a few years ago.