Do Developers Need to Fear AI?

 Whether developers need to fear AI or look at it with hope is open to debate, but the fact of the matter is that they are all definitely nervous about what it entails for them.

These fears range from concerns about AI replacing them altogether to whether they will need to acquire new skills in a world where developers are increasingly using AI coding assistant tools to help them enhance both the quality of their coding and its output.

While there is no doubt about the fact that new-age AI tools like GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, and Cognition AI’s Devin can do a lot of the stuff that software engineers do admirably well, their emergence on the scene might end up benefiting human developers than harming them. It will, in fact, make software development less dreary, thereby leading to enhanced productivity.

What’s more, by learning to collaborate with AI, developers could leverage the latter’s capabilities to come up with highly innovative solutions.

Far from fearing AI, developers should fearlessly embrace it. All that AI does is that it helps automate part of the software development process. What is important to note here is that software engineering requires much more than technical skills. It needs the essential human elements of critical thinking, creativity, and the ability to solve problems.

While AI tools may be able to perform tasks that involve typing keystrokes or searching for code snippets, these will not really be able to replace the critical thinking and decision-making that a human developer will be able to provide. It is human developers who have to describe the requirements that need to be catered to as well as perform the validation.

They also need to add value to the AI output at every stage. Above all, the accountability of the outcomes lies with them.

You have got to remember that human developers play a pivotal role in performing certain advanced tasks that might include things like coming up with solutions when confronted with unprecedented scenarios and situations. Designing software solutions architecture is again something that requires human skill and ingenuity.

Above all, communicating with the clients is not something that can be relegated to AI tools.

Human programmers bring more than their technical skills to the table. They have the experience of life itself and understand the business environment as well as the cultural context that it functions in which is beyond the capability of the existing AI tools.

These cannot be relied upon to make decisions with regard to the design to be implemented or even optimizing code, much less resolve problems or exhibit the dexterity required to accommodate ever-changing customer demands and requirements.

AI may indeed replace low-skilled coders, but at the same time, create a market for highly skilled experts able to provide the architectural vision and set the direction to be taken. It is not really replacing programmers, as it is empowering them by complimenting and enhancing their capabilities by enabling them to code much faster.

Even if the writing of code were to be taken over by AI completely, there would always be a demand for people who know what the code is all about to be able to not only review it but ensure that it is maintained and complied with. Just because AI can vastly enhance the quantity of code, written, it does not follow that quality will keep pace as well.

Human oversight will always be required to ensure that one is not swamped with unstructured and ill-defined code that is far from optimal for the purpose for which it was designed.

Besides, you cannot allow AI a free run by granting it total autonomy from human oversight-something that can prove very dangerous to humans as the likes of Elon Musk have repeatedly pointed out.

Conclusion

Developers don’t need to fear AI but adapt to it by upgrading their skills and capabilities. AI can be an effective tool in augmenting and enhancing the scope of what AI can do for humanity, but it would be foolhardy to trust a machine to make critical decisions on our behalf.

Human oversight is not only important but also imperative to ensure that we utilize AI for our good and benefit and not end up in a scenario straight out of a dysfunctional sci-fi scenario.

Could Modi 3.0 lead India to better times?

 Now that the din, noise and recriminations surrounding the 2024 Indian General Elections are over and Modi 3.0 is ready to roll out, may we get on with our lives and hope for better times ahead? Even the worst detractors of PM Modi cannot deny the fact that he has won what is a very creditable and almost unprecedented third term, falling short of a clear majority by 30 odd seats- a reasonably large shortfall, but not an alarming one (we have seen far worse in the past that proved to be remarkably stable).

While he may not have performed in accordance with the exceedingly high standards he set for himself, Modi has fared better than most political leaders around the world would have, when placed in a similar situation. It is, in fact, better that we have a much chastised (hopefully) Modi 3.0 shorn of hubris and arrogance which can get on with the unfinished business of making India the thirds largest economy in the world in the process ensuring that there is more broad based economic growth that benefits the masses, especially the young people.

A continuity of the governments policies would ensure that country maintains and indeed steps up the growth trajectory it is on. An economically stronger India would not only provide for its people, but would also help strengthen its geo-strategic position especially against arch-rival China, by shoring up and securing the nation's defenses against any external threats.

India is the fastest growing large economy in the world and is all poised to have its moment in the sun and become a breakout nation at last. The relatively strong and stable coalition government that will be sworn in on the 9th of June is well positioned to oversee that quantum leap in the nation's fortune. A strengthened opposition on its part can be the watchdog of the nation's democracy by ensuring that the government delivers what is expected of it by the people of India.

Will you lose your job to AI?

 AI seems to be putting the jobs of everybody at stake. After all, it can substitute humans quite easily at almost everything it does and come up with better results in a whole range of jobs traditionally thought to be the sole preserve of regular people. AI is known to write, code, program, analyse, interpret and do anything that a thinking person can do.

Where does that leave teachers, lawyers, clerks, technology workers, surgeons and indeed pilots and soldiers?  Will AI make them all redundant one not very far away day?

There will doubtless be job losses linked to AI adoption in the years ahead alongside new jobs that would have been created by it, but will all this be on a scale that ordinary folks going about the business of their life need to worry about? According to a Goldman Sachs forecast AI software may possibly automate the equivalent of as many as 300 million full-time roles worldwide by 2030.[1]

That notwithstanding the situation right now has more to do with companies figuring out if the high cost of AI deployment is worth the investment than actually replacing people on account of it. However, the situation is likely to evolve over the coming years, leading to an incremental increase in the adoption of AI around the world.

IMF estimates that AI will impact 40% of jobs worldwide by way of completely replacing some and complementing others.[2]It also holds that the impact of AI on jobs will be as much as 60% in advanced countries. It estimates that the impact of AI on jobs will be 40% in emerging markets and 26% in low-income countries. While emerging markets and low-income countries may have less to fear from AI-caused job disruptions, these economies will, however, lose out on the economic benefits that accrue from the adoption of that technology. That will largely be on account of a paucity of infrastructure and skills required to usher in AI on scale. That in turn could result in lost economic opportunity sparking unemployment in the long run.

AI needs to benefit all-Inclusive AI

We already know about the deleterious impact of the digital divide on the equitable distribution of wealth and resources and have found ways and means to try and fix that. An AI divide on top of a digital divide would deliver a devastating double blow to vulnerable nations and peoples around the world.

The more AI becomes a part of every aspect of our lives, the more care needs to be exercised to ensure that it does not incorporate any kind of biases (algorithmic bias, confirmation bias, dataset bias, association bias and so on) that could disadvantage certain sections of people. This necessitates creating inclusive AI by way of putting diverse teams in place, using balanced datasets and developing a sophisticated understanding of the possible impact of bias on how AI functions.[3]

If deployed the right way AI can actually help the recruitment and hiring process by helping remove bias and making it more objective. It can also make the talent pool more broad-based. Besides, it helps provide fair access to employment opportunities and helps create an inclusive work culture.

Which jobs are most at risk?

The fact that AI will make some jobs redundant by taking them over partially or completely is undeniable and one should prepare for such a scenario in the very near future. Let us look at some professions which one can expect to be majorly impacted by automation in the next 5 to 10 years, especially in the developed world.

1. Computer Programmer

With Generative AI tools demonstrating its ability to write code flawlessly, it is a matter of time, before entry-level programming jobs disappear altogether.

2. Research Analyst

AI has the ability to perform the role of a marketing research analyst and financial analyst to some extent thanks to its ability to easily process large data sets and obtain cutting insights which it can then present in the shape of easy to comprehend visuals. Given that it can do this autonomously without human intervention, you do see a lot of these jobs disappearing.

3. Customer Service

One can see the evidence of this all around us what with the proliferation of chatbots and virtual assistants being able to manage a range of customer queries and requests. This is evident across a range of industries like utility services, providers, medical services, banks, car dealerships, et al. Even jobs like those of check-out clerks at grocery stores may be on their way out, on account of AI-powered self-checkout systems.

4. Paralegal

Given that AI can be easily deployed to collect facts pertaining to cases, carry out research and even write legal reports, the role of the paralegal may eventually become redundant.

5. Graphic Designers

The profession of a graphic designer is under direct threat from AI, what with the latter’s ability to create professional images and spectacular visuals. More and more businesses can be expected to rely less on human graphic designers and turn to AI ones instead.

What jobs are safe?

Howsoever capable AI may become, it is not even close to being a substitute for a human being with all their complexity, ingenuity and emotional capabilities. Let us look at the jobs that are not likely to be majorly impacted by the inexorable march of AI in our lives.

1. Artist

Artistic expression is a uniquely human trait that AI can at best only ape and never replace. There will always be a premium on original human creativity. Doubtless, there will always be artistic geniuses in the age of AI to inspire mankind.

2. Writer

AI tools may help the process of writing by helping with ideation here and there, but they can never replace a human writer in terms of their ability to express themselves in a unique human manner with all their idiosyncrasies and peculiar insights. Ernest Hemmingway is not making way for the Hemmingway app-ever!

3. Nurse

AI may help with routine tasks like moving medical supplies and extracting patient data, but it cannot step up to the plate and deliver face-to-face interactions that are so much an essential part of a nurse’s job. No robotic Florence Nightingales on the horizon anytime soon.

4. Psychiatrist

AI cannot possibly assume the role of a psychiatrist as it cannot listen to a patient’s problems and understand them on an emotional level. The world is facing a mental health crisis and psychiatrists play a very important role in helping people deal with such problems on account of their ability to help the latter navigate their feelings and emotional responses. This is something that is beyond the pale of AI’s abilities.

5. Lawyer

While AI has made inroads into the world of law, it cannot possibly step in to take the place of lawyers. AI does not possess any innate sense of ethics, which renders it incapable of stepping in for a lawyer well-versed in morals, ethics and knowledge of the law.

The path ahead?

AI is a revolutionary technology that promises to reshape human destiny in the same way that the harnessing of fire or the discovery of the wheel did. We are in the nascent stage of this seismic change in human destiny and one cannot predict where it takes us. But we will inevitably have to go along-hopefully for a better future for mankind.

Summary

AI's Impact on Jobs

• AI will automate many jobs, replacing some entirely and assisting others.
• Estimates suggest millions of jobs could be lost by 2030, but new ones will be created by AI as well.
• Developing countries may be less affected by job losses but miss out on economic benefits of AI.

Concerns about AI

• AI bias could disadvantage certain groups if not carefully developed and implemented.
• Some jobs are more at risk than others, such as: Computer programmers (due to generative AI); Research analysts (due to AI's data processing abilities); Customer service representatives (replaced by chatbots); Paralegals (AI can handle legal research and reports); Graphic designers (AI can create professional visuals)

Jobs Likely Safe from AI

• Jobs requiring human creativity, ingenuity, and emotional intelligence are less at risk, such as: Artists (AI can't replicate human artistic expression); Writers (AI can't replace human storytelling ability); Nurses (human interaction is crucial in nursing); Psychiatrists (AI can't understand emotions like humans); Lawyers (AI lacks the ethical understanding needed)

The Future of AI and Jobs

• AI is a transformative technology, and its impact on jobs is still unfolding.
• We need to prepare for the changes AI brings and ensure it benefits everyone.

[1] https://fortune.com/2024/05/19/ai-jobs-replacing-workers-learning-to-use-gen-ai-technology-ups-ibm-google/

[2] https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2024/01/14/ai-will-transform-the-global-economy-lets-make-sure-it-benefits-humanity

[3] https://www.techopedia.com/inclusive-ai-why-we-all-need-to-care