Photo courtesy of Robotics Competition Boot Camp
Robots, some of which look similar to the image above, are being developed to play a bigger role in our society. There are possible pros and cons to advancements in artificial intelligence, including how they may impact the labor force.
Artificial intelligence offers hope, concern for the future
By Eriana Rutledge
Staff Writer
MICHIGAN CITY – Robots and labor-reducing technology may change the way we live, but we don’t know if that’s a positive or a negative thing.
To investigate, we decided to ask Krueger Middle School teachers their opinions on artificial intelligence.
What we found isn’t as simple as one might think.
Jenny Jones, a computer science teacher, said robots may be beneficial to the work environment.
“The potential benefits of robots would be that they could be used in situations where it’s dangerous for humans to be,” she said. “They could be used in a situation where you don’t have enough manpower to fill the position.”
Kevin Jones, an eighth grade science teacher, agreed with her.
“Robots could act as a resource or as a support for humans who need it to do different things,” he said. “For example, maybe like in manufacturing facilities, robots could be taking the jobs of humans and act as a support.”
However, there’s a difference between support and replacement. Kate Triemstra, a seventh grade science teacher, pointed out the potential issues robots may bring about.
“Robots taking over the world, I think we are way far from that, but I mean maybe, possibly,” she said. “But, they also are taking jobs or positions away from people who have jobs that are now automated, and it creates less personalized service at places.”
People already are facing serious problems from labor-reducing technology. According to The New York Times, in June 2020 the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission laid off nearly 500 toll workers while struggling financially during the coronavirus pandemic. They were replaced by electronic tolling.
As computer science teacher Colin Yarnelle pointed out, workers may not be the only ones taking a hit from labor-reducing technology. Customers also may be affected.
Yarnelle believes that fast food restaurants will be nothing more than giant vending machines in 15-20 years, and said that electronic service is no substitute for a personal touch.
“It’s concerning, because there’s an element of human nature that we can’t replace with any form of robotics,” Yarnelle said.
Increased technology may take away from jobs, but like Triemstra, Jenny Jones believes their chances of world domination is limited.
“Some people think that robots will take over the world, like they’ve seen (in) that Will Smith movie, I, Robot, and stuff like that,” she said. “The problem is that robots are only as good as the programming that they have.”
However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t watching you. Just ask seventh/eighth grade science teacher Leslie Samelson.
“Artificial intelligence is gathering data daily,” she said. “Your TikTok likes. You’re saying that you’re looking for something, and those ads come up.
“The psychology behind individuals’ taste choices, sometimes I think Google actually knows you better than you know yourself.”
Camille Orzech contributed to this report.