Video Editor : Purnendu Pritam and Mohammad Irshad Alam
Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) or automation putting the job market at risk? If this is true, why are the governments of America, China, and India encouraging this? In reality, the Artificial Intelligence offers job opportunities.
It's important to understand that:
- What exactly is artificial intelligence?
- How does it work?
- How can the youth secure their future in this sector?
What is the difference between a machine and humans? The difference is that of the 'brain' and 'intelligence'. For example, if you expect a machine to manoeuvre and complete a task by itself, it won’t be able to do that. But a human brain works depending on its needs and how its conditioned.
Scientists and engineers around the world are trying to build a system that works just like the human brain. And that has been successful, at least to some extent.
For example, Apple’s Siri, the Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa respond to a given task based on technology. To some extent, it does work almost like a human brain.
You will be surprised to know that in 1997, the Artificial Intelligence had defeated one of the great chess champions, Garry Kasparov. And recently, you must have read about Robot Rashmi on The Quint as well. Using Artificial Intelligence, she can communicate, and also recognise your face.
It means that the objective of Artificial Intelligence is to create an intelligent machine.
Why Do We Need Artificial Intelligence?
Whether AI make this world a better place or not is a rhetorical question. Every year, machines take over the place of human beings in many offices. According to HFS Research's report last year, 7-10 percent of about 40 million people working in India’s IT industry could lose their jobs because of AI and automation.
Sectors which are likely to be impacted by the robotic system and machine learning are Manufacturing, Agriculture, IT, and Forestry.
However, it is important to understand that people who understand and can work with AI will be needed in these sectors. Companies like Facebook, Google and Microsoft are also investing in this sector and are ready to do even more. In this case, Artificial Intelligence can pave the way for better career options for youth.
How can one enter this field?
If you have studied Math and Science in Class 12, you can hope to study AI as a possible subject and enrol in a course. Those who have graduated in Computer Science can do their master's in AI.
This year, IIT Hyderabad will launch AI in its B-Tech programme. Subjects like data science, machine learning and Artificial Intelligence are already part of the M-Tech syllabus. Similarly, other IITs are preparing to start a certificate course in Artificial Intelligence.
IIT Madras, IIT Roorkee, and IIT Ropar are some colleges where courses in AI are either being taught or will be taught and included in the curriculum in the future.
So now it's clear. In order to have a high-flying future, one can study and specialise in Artificial Intelligence.
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