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As we stand on the brink of the Fifth Industrial Revolution, artificial intelligence (AI,) robotics, the internet of things, biotechnology, and renewable energy will fuse, amidst a palpable fear that machines will replace us, rendering many current jobs obsolete. However, history has shown that while technology makes certain positions redundant, it also creates new opportunities that are hard to imagine while entering a new age. In the 5thIR there is a focus on human-centrictricity, as well as increased resilience and a much-needed emphasis on sustainability.

The advent of AI need not be a scene from The Terminator (1984.) Instead, its a transformative force thats poised to revolutionise how we work and interact with technology. The World Economic Forum predicts that while 75 million jobs may be displaced by AI technologies over the next few years, these same technologies are expected to create 133 million new roles, resulting in a net gain of 58 million jobs.

One area where AI is making significant strides is in the realm of cybersecurity. Cybercrime is a growing concern, with nearly 1 billion emails exposed in a single year, affecting 1 in 5 internet users. In the first half of 2022 alone, there were around 236.1 million ransomware attacks globally. AI can help secure our identities, businesses, and families from such threats. It can analyse vast amounts of data quickly and accurately, identifying potential threats and mitigating them before they cause harm.

The dark side of AI gets a lot more press than the good side. During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a deepfake video of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was circulated, falsely announcing that the war was over. This deepfake, along with hacked media services, spread counterfactual messages from a trustworthy source. Similar deepfake videos of Russian President Vladimir Putin surrendering also emerged during the war. Two public case studies involving deepfakes that targeted CEOs resulted in estimated losses amounting to US$243,000 and US$35 million respectively. A video by two artists used deepfake technology to make Mark Zuckerberg confess that his company really owns the future.

On the bright side is those who use AI for good. AI in cybersecurity is like a super-smart guard dog that not only barks when it sees an intruder but also learns and adapts to new threats. AI can be trained to recognise patterns of normal behavior in a computer system. When something unusual happens, like a sudden download of large amounts of data or access from a strange location, the AI raises an alarm. Its like the guard dog barking when it sees someone it doesnt recognise. AI can scan millions of lines of code in seconds to find weak spots that hackers could exploit, much faster than any human could. Its as if the guard dog could sniff out every possible entrance a burglar might use. Once a threat is detected, AI can respond instantly to stop the attack, such as by disconnecting a compromised device from the network. Its like the guard dog not just barking, but also chasing away the intruder. And finally, AI learns from every attack and becomes better at predicting and preventing future attacks. Its as if all the the guard dogs in the world had a shared memory and could remember every burglar it ever saw and recognise them if they come back.

However, as with any powerful tool, like guns and even cars, AI needs to be used responsibly. It is important to note that no country has yet passed legislation governing ethical and responsible AI. It will take time to see if firms will self-regulate or if governments will step in to regulate legally. Furthermore, there is no legal or regulatory activity relating to the malicious use of AI. Therefore, its crucial to use AI within ethical frameworks to prevent misuse. Just as a gardener cant predict whether a seed will grow into a beautiful flower or a weed, we cant foresee how every individual will use AI. But with careful nurturing and guidance, we can encourage the growth of beneficial AI applications.

The fear of job loss due to AI is similar to the fear store owners might have had when cloud computing was introduced. Those who embraced the change are now reaping the benefits and the unprecedented opportunities, while those who resisted it are lagging behind their competitors. The key is not to resist AI but to adapt to it, and to use it responsibly. Jobs will change; some may even disappear, but it will also create many new ones. This trend is nothing new. Before the invention of modern refrigeration, Ice Cutters would saw up the ice on frozen lakes into large blocks and then store them in ice houses. This ice was then used in the warmer months to preserve food and keep it cool. It was a crucial job for survival, especially in warmer climates. One space we can expect a lot of movement with job creation is in the green space. Renewable energy creates more jobs compared to investing the same amount of money in fossil fuels. For instance, investing in solar photovoltaic energy creates an average of 1.5 times as many jobs as investing the same amount of money in fossil fuels. Similarly, ecosystem restoration creates 3.7 times as many jobs as oil and gas production per dollar, and building efficiency retrofits create 2.8 times as many jobs as fossil fuels per dollar. These new jobs will free us from mundane tasks and allow us to focus on purpose-driven work. The key is relevance, as humans what we do either makes us relevant, or not. We are not relevant still cutting ice, but we are very relevant when it comes to ensuring sustainability of our planet.

Jobs Becoming Redundant:

Data Entry Clerks: With the rise of automation and AI, data entry jobs are becoming less relevant.

Administrative and Executive Secretaries: As technology advances, many administrative tasks can be automated.

Accounting, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Clerks: Automated software can now handle many accounting tasks.

Bank Tellers: Online banking and ATMs have reduced the need for bank tellers.

Cashiers: Self-checkout systems and online shopping have decreased the demand for cashiers.

Emerging Jobs:

Autonomous and Electric Vehicle Specialists: This is one of the fastest-growing jobs in 2023, with more than 40% growth expected in the coming five years.

AI and Machine Learning Specialists: These roles are in high demand due to the increasing reliance on AI technologies.

Environmental Protection Professionals: With the growing emphasis on sustainability, these roles are expected to see a 35% increase over the next five years.

Sustainability Specialists: These professionals help organisations reduce their environmental impact and are in high demand.

Fintech Engineers: As technology continues to disrupt the financial sector, there is a growing need for engineers who specialize in financial technology.

AI is here to stay. Its not something to be feared but embraced. Do not fear the machine; lets learn how to work with it for a better future.

In July 2022, Salt and the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT), signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaboratively undertake a joint National Cybersecurity Strategy and Awareness Campaign to attain the goals and objectives of the National Cybersecurity Strategy and Awareness Creation Plan. This is done with the view to influence the adoption of safer online behaviour and instill a culture of cyber-hygiene in citizens with the aim to avert the incidence of cybercrime in the Republic of Namibia. Supporting this initiative Salt and MICT, hosts weekly Cybersecurity Awareness Sessions that are free for everyone in Namibia to attend. You can register from the Contact section of the Salt website, at salt.na. If you are interested in obtaining a session for your organisation, you can scan the QR code and sign up for a free session.

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Artificial Intelligence: The New Frontier - Truth, for its own sake. - New Era