The first industrial revolution was characterized by mechanical production in the form of water and steam. The second industrial revolution witnessed the age of electricity, which brought about mass production, followed up in the third industrial revolution by automated production. The digital and information technology age. Now, a Fourth Industrial Revolution is building on the Third, the digital revolution to create smart automation. It is characterized by a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres.
“Artificial Intelligence” has it is famously called, was coined by Paul McCarthy. The field of research was born at a workshop at Dartmouth College in1956. The programs produced where described by the press as “astonishing”.
Today, almost every aspect of our daily lives has been digitized. Internet and mobile technologies have transformed the way we live and work. A new wave of technology is coming through and it centres on data. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will utilise data to assist us with the many tasks that we currently do ourselves and we will be able to do things that we’ve never even conceived of before. AI therefore refers to computer systems that can sense their environment, think like humans, learn and then take action as a result. This ability to respond to the environment sets artificial intelligence apart from the automation of routine tasks.
Impressive progress has been made in AI in recent years. Assisted and automated intelligence for instance can be said to be the oldest forms and development of AI so far. From the forecasting of weather to the automated process of assembling lines and equipments like cars which ultimately replaces humans with the task at hand. A new wave of AI however is on the go with Autonomous and Augmented intelligence. This types of AI involves, automating decision making process without human intervention and working WITH people to find new solutions. This process basically moves the relationship of man-machine up a notch. This mode of AI development suggests we view machines as not just ‘mere tools’ or means to an end but PARTNERS. There have been several debates, some from critics that begs the question “Can Machines Be Trusted With Our Lives And Properties? “. Regardless, a man-machine partnership is on the horizon characterized by both deep and biological learning and intelligence. Examples includes; Self-driving cars (autonomous intelligence) and Robot-assisted surgery/Microbotics (augmented intelligence).
The possibilities of billions of people connected by mobile devices, with unprecedented processing power, storage capacity, and access to knowledge, are unlimited. By 2020, their would have been 4 billion connected people, $4 trillion revenue opportunities, more than 25 million apps, more than 25 billion embedded and intelligent systems, 50 trillion GBs of data. And these possibilities will be multiplied by emerging technology breakthroughs in fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, Internet of Things(IoT), autonomous vehicles, 3-D printing, nanotechnology, biotechnology, materials science, energy storage, and quantum computing.
While some of the listed might not sound familiar to the novist. It’s important you take initiative by allowing your curiousity and guts ignite the possibility of exploring. Maybe, just maybe a particular field will jump right at you. And YES! It might be difficult changing the narrative since most people are stuck with a conventional/traditional mindset of acquiring jobs or career part set up by the society we find ourselves. A mindset built on living a comfortable life by getting a comfortable job with a comfortable paycheck with no real sense of purpose and desire. In light of this. Education, whether formal or informal is breaking societal-boundaries and setting new heights.
According to new IDC Spending guide. “We see a $100B market by 2025”. What better time to join the bandwagon than NOW!
Africa might be far behind civilization but has been Poised For Unprecedented, Long-Term Economic Growth. And the 7 drivers identified to transform Africa Into The World’s Economic Powerhouse includes, Cities; Farmlands; Smart Technology; Education; People; Trade and Government Stability. While the 7th can be argued upon considering the current problem with governance in Africa. We also need to realize that the era that brought about coup, civil war and constant change of power that dominated most of the 20th century was not any better. Maybe corruption and embezzlement of public fund is the new order in the governance of countries in Africa, we face an even bigger threat that could determine the survival of the African race. ILLITERACY!
