Does it make sense to take insights from what Mr. Soumitra Dutta has to say about AI? Absolutely yes! For someone who spends a lot of time discussing such contemporary topics with future leaders, Soumitra’s views on AI are not just textbook thoughts; they are detailed discussions that anyone and everyone can learn so much more from.
No one can do better analogies than Soumitra Dutta and he know how to keep them relevant so the audience easily interprets his views instead of getting lost in jargon. So when he got a chance to give his views on AI, a topic in which Mr. Dutta has years of experience, he usually gets candid and starts talking like a kid in a candy shop. Mr. Soumitra Dutta who is also the former dean of Oxford’s Said Business School, always has something to discuss when it comes to artificial intelligence, be it about the transition in modern jobs, or the ethical use of the tool across governments as well as societies.
The AI Growth Has Just Started; There Is So Much More To Come
“We all know that we are living in exponential times, and often that is substantiated by saying that technology is increasing exponentially, both in terms of computing power, and in terms of data and other similar aspects… But what exactly does it mean in terms of trends over time?” Mr Dutta continues, “We are roughly 63 years into the modern microprocessor age… which means what we have seen in the last 5-10 years is nothing compared to what we will see in the next 5-10 years… it’s going to explode.
And one reason why we are seeing all these great applications of AI right now is because of the additional computational power, additional data that’s available right now. So what will happen in the next 5-10 years, it really remains for us to discover and, at the same time, be amazed by.”
The most important question – Future of jobs in the world of AI
One thing that no one is talking about is that the transition in jobs due to AI is acute and not the way it is portrayed by the media. And Soumitra Dutta, Oxford Dean (Former) is smart enough to clear the air filled with misleading information about jobs facing disruption due to artificial intelligence. Dutta is trying to explain to everyone that yes, we must prepare to witness the unknown but not be so overwhelmed that we miss out on learning everything positive this innovative tool has to offer. Mr. Dutta is smart to point out that although artificial intelligence as a tool is much more compatible with sectors such as banking because of its sheer ability to crunch numbers way faster than any human, in actuality, AI seems to cause more disruption in the trucking industry, where now people are more interested in automation.
Innovation without governance can be risky
Soumitra Dutta, Oxford Dean (Former) is one of those who believe that everything that may go out of hand and be used for wrong purposes must be governed so that it is used ethically in human interest and not against it. But that doesn’t seem to be the case as the latest Iran-USA/Israel’s war seems to use AI to launch non-human missiles at targets and it is reported that these have also claimed human lives. Mr. Dutta was one of the very first academicians to point out that as soon as AI comes out of research labs and becomes accessible to the masses, there is a great need for it to be governed so that it is used ethically by everyone, from corporate organizations to global powers. Also, the most important aspect of technologies is that they cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, and if AI fails to deliver, causing casualties during vulnerable moments such as war, who is going to be held liable for that?
“The regulation part is very important, because we have to somehow help society use technology in a responsible manner. It is the same reason why, for example, any technology can have positive things and negative things. And we have to (as) society be more oriented towards the positive side and be more careful about preventing the negative side… that’s an area that is evolving, and the regulations and societal norms are very important.” Soumitra Dutta, former Dean of Oxford suggests.
