Should the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) be slowed down to protect jobs? Why or why not? 

Discuss the likely outcome of AI adoption, and possible initiatives to address its negative effects. Justify your answers.

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Artificial intelligence (Al) is everywhere. Its benefits for retailing and consumers are undeniable. Sophisticated Al functions make it possible for retailers to perform inventory analyses more rapidly and accurately, as well as provide accurate and personalized customer service more efficiently. But the expansion of Al throughout retail settings also threatens another critical group: the employees who currently perform those tasks. The retail industry employs vast numbers of employees. If those jobs can be performed by Al systems, it could result in higher unemployment rates. A recent government report suggests that cashiers and drivers are particularly threatened as innovations such as automatic checkouts and driverless cars come closer to reality. Already. Amazon requires only half as many workers to sell the same amount of merchandise compared with conventional retailers. It has pioneered the use of robots to pick up items in warehouses and move them on to the next part of the logistics chain. These Al-enabled robots know exactly what to bring and when to keep orders flowing smoothly. Reuters reports that there are 110 warehouses, 45 sorting centres, and 50 delivery stations in which Amazon employs more than 125,000 workers. To date, robots make up a tiny part of the overall labour "force." They are not precise enough to replace humans. However, as technology improves, Amazon may be able to reduce the number of employees through the use of Al systems that will enable shoppers to place orders on their own, pay for them without any assistance, and have them delivered by drones. It is impossible to predict the future precisely-some Al applications may never find widespread acceptance, and technologies such as driverless cars still need years of testing before they are safe to use widely. But it also is hard to contest the notion that Al is spreading further and further, so that someday soon, some workers will have to find other ways to earn a living. If they cannot do so, the vast increase in unemployment rates would threaten the entire economy and depress consumer spending overall. The solution likely will require new forms of job training, job creation in other sectors, and possibly expanded social safety nets. Unfortunately, such long-term (and expensive) initiatives are often hard to begin, until it's almost too late. Artificial intelligence (Al) is everywhere. Its benefits for retailing and consumers are undeniable. Sophisticated Al functions make it possible for retailers to perform inventory analyses more rapidly and accurately, as well as provide accurate and personalized customer service more efficiently. But the expansion of Al throughout retail settings also threatens another critical group: the employees who currently perform those tasks. The retail industry employs vast numbers of employees. If those jobs can be performed by Al systems, it could result in higher unemployment rates. A recent government report suggests that cashiers and drivers are particularly threatened as innovations such as automatic checkouts and driverless cars come closer to reality. Already. Amazon requires only half as many workers to sell the same amount of merchandise compared with conventional retailers. It has pioneered the use of robots to pick up items in warehouses and move them on to the next part of the logistics chain. These Al-enabled robots know exactly what to bring and when to keep orders flowing smoothly. Reuters reports that there are 110 warehouses, 45 sorting centres, and 50 delivery stations in which Amazon employs more than 125,000 workers. To date, robots make up a tiny part of the overall labour "force." They are not precise enough to replace humans. However, as technology improves, Amazon may be able to reduce the number of employees through the use of Al systems that will enable shoppers to place orders on their own, pay for them without any assistance, and have them delivered by drones. It is impossible to predict the future precisely-some Al applications may never find widespread acceptance, and technologies such as driverless cars still need years of testing before they are safe to use widely. But it also is hard to contest the notion that Al is spreading further and further, so that someday soon, some workers will have to find other ways to earn a living. If they cannot do so, the vast increase in unemployment rates would threaten the entire economy and depress consumer spending overall. The solution likely will require new forms of job training, job creation in other sectors, and possibly expanded social safety nets. Unfortunately, such long-term (and expensive) initiatives are often hard to begin, until it's almost too late.

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The question of whether the adoption of Artificial Intelligence AI should be slowed down to protect jobs is a complex and multifaceted one Here are some key considerations Should AI Adoption Be Slowed ... View the full answer