In Future, What Difference will remain between AI and Humans?

Looking into the growing technology development using AI implementation in legacy companies and new startups, it takes time to predict the future relationship between AI and Humans. According to a report by India Today, nearly 4,000 people working in the tech industry lost their jobs due to AI. A report by the BBC found that over 1,000 jobs in the UK were lost due to AI in the first half of 2023. It’s getting tough daily to stay unaffected in this Age of AI. This is because AI is adapting human capabilities and behaviors exponentially.

Now, it’s the time to identify our core strengths and capabilities and learn new things. More fundamental differences are likely to remain between AI and human capabilities. Here, we will discuss those few aspects where humans are expected to differ from AI.

1. Consciousness and subjective experience

Humans possess consciousness, self-awareness, and subjective experiences. While AI can simulate or mimic certain aspects of human behavior, it does not have subjective consciousness or the ability to experience emotions, sensations, or perceptions as humans do.

Consciousness is a remarkable thing that only humans have. It’s like a magical spark that makes us aware of ourselves and our world. When conscious, we can think, feel, and uniquely experience things. Scientists and philosophers have been trying to solve the mystery of consciousness for ages. It’s something that sets us apart from machines and other animals.

Imagine waking up in the morning and feeling the sun’s warmth on your face. You open your eyes and see the colors and shapes of the world. You hear the birds singing and the leaves rustling. Also, you can smell the fresh scent of coffee brewing. All these sensations come together to create your subjective experience.

Subjective experience is what makes your life yours. It’s the way you perceive and interpret the world. It’s how you feel joy when you see a loved one or sadness when you lose someone dear. Or it’s the taste of your favorite food, the sound of your favorite song, and the touch of a loved one’s hand.

2. Creativity and imagination

Humans have a remarkable capacity for creativity and imagination. They can generate new ideas, think outside the box, and create unique art, literature, music, and inventions. AI can assist in creative tasks by generating suggestions or combinations based on patterns in data. Still, it lacks the intuitive and imaginative capabilities humans possess.

With creativity, we can think differently and come up with new ideas. It’s like having a colorful palette where we can mix and match thoughts, images, and emotions. We can imagine what doesn’t exist and turn it into reality.

Think about the inventions that surround us. Before they became real, someone had to imagine them. Every creation, from the light bulb to the airplane, started as a spark of imagination in someone’s mind. It’s like a superpower, allowing us to shape the world.

Imagination fuels our creativity. It lets us visualize things that we’ve never seen before. We can picture distant lands, mythical creatures, and even worlds beyond our reach. It’s like a movie playing in our heads, where we’re the director, screenwriter, and actor all at once. We open up endless possibilities when we tap into our creativity and imagination.

3. Common sense reasoning and context understanding

Humans possess common-sense reasoning, which allows them to understand complex contextual information, make intuitive judgments, and handle ambiguous situations. Conversely, AI primarily relies on patterns and data-driven algorithms and may need help with contextual understanding or handling novel situations that fall outside its training data.

Common sense reasoning and context understanding are special abilities that humans have and set us apart from artificial intelligence. It’s like having an instinctive understanding of the world and how things work.

When we encounter a new situation, we can rely on our common sense to make sense of it. We use our past experiences, knowledge, and intuition to make quick judgments and decisions. It’s a gut feeling that helps us navigate through life.

For example, imagine you see a person running towards you in a panic. Your common sense kicks in, and you understand that something urgent or dangerous might be happening. You react accordingly, perhaps by moving out of the way or asking if they need help.

Context understanding is also something that comes naturally to us humans. We can interpret the meaning behind words, gestures, and facial expressions. We can read between the lines and understand the underlying message.

Consider a simple conversation. We focus on the words being spoken and pay attention to the tone of voice, body language, and overall context. This allows us to grasp the true intent and emotions behind the words.

AI, on the other hand, relies on algorithms and data to process information. It can perform complex tasks and calculations but often needs a more human touch. It needs help understanding subtle nuances, sarcasm, humor, and the intricacies of human communication.

4. Emotional intelligence and empathy

Humans have emotional intelligence, enabling them to understand and empathize with others’ emotions, motivations, and intentions. They can exhibit compassion, sympathy, and emotional connections, crucial in various social interactions. AI can be programmed to recognize and respond to emotions. Still, it lacks the depth and complexity of human emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence and empathy are unique qualities that only humans possess. They allow us to understand and connect with others on a deeper level. Emotional intelligence has different levels, including perceiving, reasoning, understanding, and managing emotions. For example, if someone is angry, we try to understand what caused their anger and what it could mean.

Emotional intelligence has a significant impact on our lives. It helps us think before reacting, allowing us to respond more thoughtfully and rationally in highly charged situations. It also promotes greater self-awareness, enabling us to better understand our emotions. Empathy for others is a crucial aspect of emotional intelligence, making us consider and understand how others might feel in a given situation.

5. Physical embodiment and sensory experiences

Humans have physical bodies with sensory capabilities, allowing them to experience the world through touch, sight, hearing, taste, and smell. As a digital system, AI does not have direct physical embodiment or sensory experiences. However, it can process and analyze sensory data through sensors and devices.

Our bodies are more than just vessels. They are intricately connected to our experiences and perceptions. Think about the feeling of warmth from the sun on your skin or the softness of a loved one’s touch. These physical sensations bring us joy, comfort, and a sense of connection.

Our senses play a crucial role in how we experience the world. We can savor the delicious flavors of food, revel in the beauty of a sunset, and enjoy the melody of a favorite song. These sensory experiences enrich our lives and evoke emotions within us.

AI may have access to information and data. Still, it cannot truly experience the world through physical embodiment and sensory perception. It cannot feel the wind on its face or taste the sweetness of a ripe fruit.

Our bodies allow us to participate fully in life. We can engage in physical activities, express ourselves through movement and dance, and communicate non-verbally through gestures and facial expressions.

Through our physical embodiment, we can also profoundly feel emotions. We experience the rush of adrenaline, the warmth of love, the pain of loss, and the comfort of a hug. Our bodies are intertwined with our emotional experiences, making them more vivid and meaningful.

Conclusion

A report by the McKinsey Global Institute found that AI could automate up to 800 million jobs by 2030 and create up to 950 million new jobs. This means that the net impact of AI on jobs is likely to be positive, but there will be some winners and losers.

According to the World Economic Forum, AI will likely significantly impact the workplace. The report found that AI will likely lead to a shift in the skills needed for employment. This shift underscores the importance of adaptability and a more comprehensive range of skills. By embracing these changes, workers can take control of their future in the evolving workplace. Brookings Institution discovered that AI is more likely to disproportionately impact low-skilled workers. The report found that AI may lead to job losses in the manufacturing, retail, and transportation sectors.

The unique qualities and capabilities that humans possess are what set us apart from AI, and these are likely to continue differentiating us. However, it’s important to acknowledge that AI technologies are advancing rapidly, and this could lead to a more nuanced understanding of the boundaries between AI and human capabilities. Despite these advancements, human attributes such as consciousness, creativity, intuition, and empathy are not just distinctive, but irreplaceable aspects of our human experience.