TED Talk Tuesday #70 – The jobs we’ll lose to machines — and the ones we won’t

Watching TED Talks is a popular pastime at CN&CO. We visit TED.com regularly to clear our heads, have a laugh or get inspired. TED Talks open our minds, spark new ways of thinking and can lead to some very interesting conversations. Each week we pick a favourite and publish it on a Tuesday, because we like how “TED Talk Tuesday” sounds. This week’s talk was posted by Allan. Here’s why he chose it:

AI is pretty cool. Even for someone who is technologically unsound. But I still like the human element and will appreciate it for as long as possible.

Although AI is smart, it is, and this will sound silly as from what I understand that all AI is based on it, it is sometimes illogical. Look at the navigation app, Waze. When I first started at CN&CO, I decided to use it to see which would be the quickest way to get from home to the office. Over all, it was superb and I still use the suggested route, for the most part, every day when I’m heading to the office.

My only problem, and you will all understand my frustration, is that Waze wanted me to cross over Jan Smuts Ave, one of the busiest roads in Joburg, not only during peak-hour traffic but generally any time of the day.

Now this is where I feel the human logic will supersede the AI logic, for a little while longer. Instead of trying to cross over Jan Smuts ave, or any other similar road, simply use one road to the right, so you can “easily” turn left onto the main road, and then turn right (when you get an opening from a kind Joburger) at the original road that Waze wanted you on.

To me this is so much easier then trying to cross over two busy lanes and annoying two sets of drivers as you hold the one up as you creep slowly into the traffic while waiting for an opening.

This weeks TTT talks about the human element remaining to perform novel tasks. Take a look and let me know your thoughts on the topic.