As the world watches videos of the first humanoid robot put into mass production, some concerns also emerge among individuals. In a world where artificial intelligence and robot technology are rapidly advancing, experts emphasize the importance of striking a balance between concerns and positive effects, stating that managing these technologies correctly and ethically can yield results beneficial to society. Software Engineer Dr. Lecturer Murat Oğuz, who points out that artificial intelligence robots can make human life easier in many areas, from healthcare to education, agriculture and production to the service sector, emphasized that the concern about job loss increases with the widespread adoption of these technologies. Oğuz stated that the development of artificial intelligence and automation will also bring with it the need for people to constantly learn new skills, adding, “The threat of technological unemployment can create question marks regarding long-term employment perspectives.”
Dr. Lecturer Murat Oğuz from the Software Engineering Department of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, explained the effects of artificial intelligence robots on people's anxieties and concerns about the future.
Addressing the main reasons for these concerns in the context of job loss, skill change, and data privacy and security, Dr. Oğuz stated the following:
Digital skills replacing traditional ones…
“With the advancement of artificial intelligence and automation, the automation of routine and low-skilled jobs can lead to concerns about job loss. For example, robots on the production line can replace factory workers, which may cause unemployment rates to rise. In the age of artificial intelligence, uncertainties may arise regarding what skills individuals should possess. Digital skills may need to replace traditional ones. This can lead to people having to exert extra effort to update their training. As artificial intelligence systems and robots process large amounts of data, the privacy and security of this data can be a source of concern. Data security is especially important when considering situations that require the protection of personal health information in the healthcare sector.”
Also enables the creation of new employment areas
Stating that the advancement of artificial intelligence and robots taking on more complex tasks can lead to changes such as industrial transformation, improvement of business processes, and new employment areas, Dr. Oğuz said, “Artificial intelligence and robots taking on more complex tasks can lead to industrial transformation in the production and service sectors. Automation can increase productivity, thereby improving product and service quality. Artificial intelligence can make business processes more efficient through its data analysis and prediction capabilities. For example, it can reduce transportation costs by optimizing routes in the logistics sector. The development of artificial intelligence and robot technologies also allows for the creation of new employment areas. Positions such as artificial intelligence specialists, robot engineers, and data analysts can shape future employment opportunities.”
Surgical robots in the healthcare sector
Referring to the positive aspects of artificial intelligence and robots, Dr. Oğuz said, “Artificial intelligence robots can make human life easier in many areas, from healthcare to education, agriculture and production to the service sector. For example, surgical robots in the healthcare sector can accelerate patient recovery processes by performing precise and challenging operations in a less invasive manner.”
However, Dr. Oğuz also stated that the uncontrolled development of artificial intelligence and robots could lead to ethical and security issues, saying, “For example, in a world where automation is rapidly becoming widespread, if sufficient measures are not taken to ensure the security of automation systems, cyberattacks or system errors could lead to serious consequences.”
Artificial intelligence also brings the need to learn new skills...
Dr. Oğuz also noted that artificial intelligence robots could help people focus on more strategic tasks by automating repetitive and time-consuming jobs, but he explained that the development of artificial intelligence and automation would also bring with it the need for people to constantly learn new skills.
Threat of technological unemployment
Dr. Murat Oğuz pointed out that the concern about job loss increases with the widespread adoption of these technologies, stating, “The replacement of low-skilled and repetitive jobs by automation can increase the risk of unemployment. The threat of technological unemployment can create question marks regarding long-term employment perspectives.”
Dr. Oğuz noted that the advancement of artificial intelligence and robot technology also brings positive effects, and said:
“Thanks to developments in the healthcare sector, it is becoming possible to diagnose and treat patients more quickly and accurately. AI-powered robots can enable surgical interventions to be performed more precisely and effectively. Furthermore, robots used in the agricultural sector can support food production by increasing efficiency, while also helping to spread sustainable agricultural practices. Agricultural automation can be an important step towards providing healthy food to more people by increasing productivity.”
This era is shaping the future
Dr. Murat Oğuz concluded his words by emphasizing the importance of striking a balance between concerns and positive effects in a world where artificial intelligence and robot technology are rapidly advancing:
“Managing these technologies correctly and ethically can yield results beneficial to society. People may need to adapt to these technologies and reshape their skill sets.”