THE RISKS OF AUTOMATION - The Peninsula Qatar

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THE RISKS OF AUTOMATION

Recent advances in artificial intelligence and robotics are heightening concerns about automation replacing a growing number of occupations, including highly skilled or "knowledge-based" jobs.

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COVER STORY

Tech world debate on robots and jobs heats up

MONDAY 27 MARCH 2017

AFP

Are robots coming for your job? Although technology has long affected the labour force, recent advances in artificial intelligence and robotics are heightening concerns about automation replacing a growing number of occupations, including highly skilled or "knowledge-based" jobs.

Just a few examples: self-driving technology may eliminate the need for taxi, Uber and truck drivers, algorithms are playing a growing role in journalism, robots are informing consumers as mall greeters, and medicine is adapting robotic surgery and artificial intelligence to detect cancer and heart conditions.

Of 700 occupations in the United States, 47 percent are at "high risk" from automation, an Oxford University study concluded in 2013.

A McKinsey study released this year offered a similar view, saying "about half" of activities in the world's workforce "could potentially be automated by adapting currently demonstrated technologies."

Still, McKinsey researchers offered a caveat, saying that only around five percent of jobs can be

"fully automated." Another report, by PwC this

month, concluded that around a third of jobs in the United States, Germany and Britain could be eliminated by automation by the early 2030s, with the losses concentrated in transportation and storage, manufacturing, and wholesale and retail trade.

But experts warn that such studies may fail to grasp the full extent of the risks to the working population. "The studies are underestimating the impact of technology -- some 80 to 90 percent of jobs will be eliminated in the next 10 to 15 years," said Vivek Wadhwa, a tech entrepreneur and faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University in Silicon Valley.

Dire consequences

"Artificial intelligence is moving a lot faster than anyone had expected," said Wadhwa, who is coauthor of a forthcoming book on the topic. "Alexa (Amazon's home hub) and Google Home are getting amazingly intelligent very fast. Microsoft and Google have demonstrated that AI can understand human speech better than humans can."

Wadhwa calls the driverless car a "metaphor" for the future of labour and a sign of a major shift.

MONDAY 27 MARCH 2017

COVER STORY

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Warnings of dire social consequences from automation have also come from the likes of the physicist Stephen Hawking and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, among others.

Hebrew University of Jerusalem historian Yuval Harari writes in his 2017 book, "Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow" that technology will lead to "superfluous people" as "intelligent non-conscious algorithms" improve.

"As algorithms push humans out of the job market," he writes, "wealth and power might become concentrated in the hands of the tiny elite that owns the all-powerful algorithms, creating unprecedented social and political inequality."

Harari points to the Oxford study, estimating a high probability of job loss to automation -- cashiers (97 percent), paralegals (94 percent), bakers (89 percent) and bartenders (77 percent), for example.

Others disagree.

Boston University economist and researcher James Bessen dismisses alarmist predictions, contending that advances in technology generally lead to more jobs, even if the nature of work changes.

His research found that the proliferation of ATM machines did not decrease bank tellers' employment in recent decades, and that automation of textile mills in the 19th century led to an increase in weaving jobs because it created more demand.

"Robots can replace humans in certain tasks but don't entirely replace humans," he said.

But he acknowledged that automation "is destroying a lot of low-skill, low wage jobs, and the new jobs being created need higher skills."

Former president Barack Obama's council of economic advisors also warned last year that most jobs paying less than $20 an hour "would come under pressure from

automation."

`Tax the robot'

Although the net impact of robots remains unclear, tech leaders and others are already debating how to deal with the potential job displacement.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates said last month that he supports a "robot tax," an idea floated in Europe, including by a socialist presidential candidate in France.

But Bessen, a former fellow at Harvard's Berkman Center, said taxing robots could be counterproductive.

"You don't want to be taxing the

machines because they enable people to earn higher wages," he said. "If you tax machines, you will slow the beneficial side of the process."

Peter Diamandis, chairman of the X Prize Foundation for technical innovation and founder of the Silicon Valley think-tank Singularity University, is among those calling for a "universal basic income" to compensate people for job losses.

Offering income guarantees "will be one of many tools empowering self-actualization at scale," he said in a blog post, arguing that automation will allow people "to follow their passions, be more creative."

But Wadhwa says the problems run deeper and will require more creative solutions.

"A basic income won't solve the social problems of joblessness because people's identity revolves around our jobs," he said.

"Even if we have enough food and energy, we have to deal with the social disruption that's coming. We need a much broader discussion."

Bessen says reversing the trends of the past decades, where highskilled jobs gain at the expense of others, pose a "big challenge." "It's entirely possible we can meet the challenge," he said. "But the evidence in the past 20 years is that things are moving in the wrong direction."

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CAMPUS

MONDAY 27 MARCH 2017

ASD students win Haas/Hansen Student Award 2017

Inspiring students to become positive, active global citizens is central to the mission of the American School of Doha (ASD).

Quincy Loria and Tisya Raina, two eighth grade students, recently won the Haas/Hansen Student Award 2017 for their ongoing commitment to service and strength of character. These students were honoured during a school assembly by the Director of Teaching and Learning, Gail Seay, and Middle School Principal, Robert Gohr. Loria and Raina both received checks for US$ 1,000 from the Near East South Asia (NESA) Council of Schools. In the spirit of Stanley Haas, late executive director of NESA, and of Luke Hansen, a remarkable

student who died in an accident, the annual Stanley Haas/Luke Hansen Student Award is meant to recognize students who are a credit to themselves and to their schools. The award is given annually to students of middle school age (i.e: Grades 6 - 8 inclusive) currently enrolled in schools that are members of NESA.

The Haas/Hansen Student Award is not meant to recognize a specific academic, athletic or artistic talent or achievement, though nominees may well excel in one or more of these areas. It is to highlight those young people who model the character traits that NESA values most in its' students: persistence, a willingness to take risks, acceptance of other cultures and

points of view and a genuine interest in and demonstrated, sustained commitment to the welfare of others. Congratulations to Quincy Loria and Tisya Raina for exemplifying all that

the Haas/Hansen Student Award represents and for being a shining example to students at the American School of Doha (ASD) and across the Middle East.

Noble Indian Kindergarten holds graduation ceremony

Noble Indian Kindergarten organised its 10th Graduation ceremony on March 24 at Noble Kindergarten, Al Hilal.

The programme commenced with the prayer followed by the graduation of the young fledglings in the most alluring way. The charming and astonishing toddlers

presented their myriad skills which won the hearts of the overall audience.

The welcome speech was delivered by Principal, Shibu Abdul Rasheed, presidential address by Vice-Chairman, Mohamed Eesa and felicitation by Secretary, Mashood VC. The Management members

took over the charge to do the presentation of the certificates to the dazzling little graduates through which the parents and the teachers were also appreciated for the fantastic role that they played to facilitate learning in the students' lives.

The students' of KG-2 were presented with their graduation certificates within the premise which was packed with proud

Moms, Dads, grandparents, family and friends which in turn made them feel elated and glad.

Zeenathunisha, HOS, KG, delivered the vote of thanks thus expressing the gratitude to all the management members for giving an extravagant opportunity, parents for their continuous backing, teachers for their hard work and to the non-teaching staff for their endless support.

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MARKETPLACE

05

Banana Island Resort Doha offers special package

What if you could take one whole day to yourself, spending it in the closest thing to paradise on earth? Banana Island Resort Doha is offering guests the chance to do just that with their `One Day in Paradise' package, where guests can enjoy a whole day of relaxation and recreation in the beauty of the mesmerising island.

The resort is renowned for their luxurious retreats and personalised treatments, with a spa and wellness centre that is designed to help release mental stress, relieve physical fatigue and inspire an overall sense of tranquility.

In One Day in Paradise, guests will be treated to a 60-minute fully body relaxing massage with full access to the spa's wet facilities, including the steam room, sauna, jacuzzi and ice fountain.

During their special day, guests will have full pool and beach access to take advantage of the resort's picturesque shores, pristine blue waters and bask in the rays of the sun. Additionally, each guest will be gifted QAR200 to enjoy a meal at any of the resort's celebrated restaurants. One Day in Paradise is priced at QAR650 per person, including luxury boat transportation to and from the island.

Indian Sports Centre holds `Zumba' session for ladies

Indian Sports Centre, an apex body of the Indian Embassy, has conducted `Zumba' session for Indian ladies on Friday at Birla Public School Auditorium on the occasion of International Women's Day.

It was a unique initiative taken by Yoga and Fitness division of Indian Sports Centre to keep the physical fitness of the ladies. More than 125 ladies attended the `Zumba' session instructed by experts from Aspire zone. The session was inaugurated by Ritu Kumaran, wife of the Indian Ambassador.

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