How Will AI Ultimately Redefine Human Intelligence?

In this article, Shelly Kramer once again touches upon the subject of AI. This time, she asks how AI will ultimately affect Human intelligence. How’s that for a nice light read to start your week! It is another in our “Great Articles You may have missed” series.

How Will AI Redefine Human Intelligence?

Do you remember when we all used gigantic mobile phones, and they were the norm? When we look back on that now, it seems slightly absurd, right? The same is true of what we know and understand about machine learning today. Twenty years ago, for example, most of us weren’t thinking a lot about how machine learning and AI could deliver internet service to faraway places using balloons.

That’s what Alphabet’s Project Loon is all about. And it’s really fascinating. However, we’re not just talking about the future of mobile phones and Internet balloons here. We’re talking about the future of how AI impacts human intelligence as we know it. Machines and AI are redefining human perceptions in a myriad of ways. These include what we think we’re capable of—and what we think we’re not.

The Future of Humans and AI

Machine learning is utilized everywhere, from impacting search algorithms to providing (albeit sometimes imperfect) customer service to changing entire industries. Just because its reach is so vast, doesn’t mean the concept of computers “thinking” like humans is everyone’s favorite topic to discuss. Like that early mobile phone analogy, many approach the concept of machine learning today with a bit of trepidation, perhaps some hesitation, and certainly without full adoption. Still, in no time at all, we will become completely comfortable with machines doing many of the things we do ourselves today. Why? History tells us so.

Think about it: Years ago, we were lugging around those now-ancient mobile phones. Or better yet, we used that car phone that was hard-wired in the car. We certainly weren’t spending a lot of time thinking about carrying around devices that are more computers than phones and using them as our lifeline to pretty much everything. Even the idea of being constantly connected would likely have been a little off-putting. Now, we’re living the total opposite, But now? Those devices are always at arm’s reach, get us anywhere we need to go, jump at our voice comments, allow us to work (or play) from virtually anywhere and a million other things. Life without them would be untenable for most of us.

Just How Far Will AI Go?

We already know technology makes our personal and professional lives easier. And that it’s getting smarter and more capable all the time. It’s fair to believe that soon, nothing may be off limits—even, say, a hug from your favorite character at a Disney park? It’s a possibility. In February of this year, Disney Enterprises filed for a patent that “hints at a possible future for its theme parks: humanoid robots designed for maximum hugging efficiency.” It’s described as a “soft body robot for physical interactions with humans.”

Talk about robots replacing humans! This technology could displace a legion of Disney princesses. Do you think kids would notice—or care? This leads to a larger point best summed up by Adrienne LaFrance in her piece for The Atlantic, How AI Will Redefine Human Intelligence. LaFrance wrote:

“As machines advance and as programs learn to do things that were once only accomplished by people, what will it mean to be human?”

Good question, and something we think about a lot around here.

LaFrance further explains:

“Technological history proves that what seems novel today can quickly become the norm, until one day you look back surprised at the memory of a job done by a human rather than a machine. By teaching machines what we know, we are training them to be like us.”

Summary

Training machines to be like us doesn’t just affect how we act and how we consume in today’s digital marketplace. It has a much larger implication, too: how we perceive our own abilities. In other words, in ten years, will it be crazy to think a human could do a better job of hugging young theme park-goers? Will we look back and think, “How inefficient?” There is no right or wrong answer, but the fact is the technology is there. Even Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg famously said he thinks AI will outperform humans within the next decade.

Bottom line: It could happen. Even if it doesn’t, other things will. And as the shift continues, we should be mindful of how the rise of AI affects our perception of the real world and our ability to both contribute to and exist within it.

Editor’s note:

Great piece, right? As a sci-fi buff, I’ve long been expecting many of the advances we’re seeing. And I’ve looked forward to them! I will dare to contradict Mark Zuckerberg in saying that AI will only outperform Humans in some areas within the next 10 years. I think his statement was too sweeping. But take it a number of years forward, and AI will certainly surpass us in many areas. And it will render jobs such as that of surgeon, obsolete. How many years until driving is illegal in cities? And what of online shopping? Hint: Nothing you do now will be considered anything other than amusing in a matter of a couple of decades at most.

And how, ultimately, will it redefine Human intelligence? Will the receptors that will be implanted n our brains that will tap into all knowledge, make us more or less smart? More or less dangerous?

What Do You Think?

So, are you excited? Do you feel trepidation? Perhaps you feel a healthy mix of each? Please share your thoughts in the comments section, below.

You may also want to read: 4 Ways Artificial Intelligence Will Impact The B2B Industry

How AI Will Change Customer Experience And Marketing

Emotionally Intelligent AI Is Coming. Are You Ready?

This piece was originally titled “How AI Is Redefining Human Intelligence” and posted on V3B. It is republished here with permission.

Shelly Kramer is the Co-CEO of V3 Broadsuite, a marketing agency specializing in the digital space. Also a Partner @XVALabs Digital. A 20+ year marketing veteran, she’s a brand strategist focused on delivering integrated marketing solutions and helping businesses leverage the web for growth and profitability. She’s an expert at content strategy and execution and tying social media to business initiatives.

Recognized by Forbes on a number of occasions, including as one of the Top 40 Social Selling Marketing Experts and Top 50 Social Media Influencers. She’s half marketer, half geek, with a propensity for numbers, producing results and a dash of quick repartee. Her blog has been recognized by Forbes as one of the Top 20 Best Marketing and Social Media Blogs and by PostRank as one of the Top 100 Most Engaging Social Media Blogs. Find her on LinkedIn, Google+ or Twitter

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