Limitations of Artificial Intelligence in Replacing Humans in Jobs

The development of technology has allowed machines and devices to possess artificial intelligence which would allow them to have cognitive functions that are similar to those of the human brain. Such developments bring the likelihood of machines and devices replacing humans in performing specific tasks and working in different trades.

It is said that machines and robots can easily substitute humans in performing tasks that are highly repetitive and those that require simple or basic calculations. Some even believe that machines and robots can surpass human abilities in terms of speed, accuracy and efficiency. This is especially true since robots are able to process and store information in bulks which is a distinct limitation of human intellect.

However, the possibility of having machines with artificial intelligence replace humans has certain shortcomings. For example, IBM’s supercomputer, Watson, already substantiated that machines can take over the jobs of human doctors but it did not exhibit high levels of professionalism. Watson may have been able to make accurate diagnoses and treatment plans for patients yet it cannot perform well in all processes involved in all clinical processes, specifically in disease prevention.

A more general drawback is that machines equipped with artificial intelligence do not have metacognition, the ability of humans to acknowledge one’s scope of knowledge. Metacognition is a person’s ability to distinguish things that are already known and those that still need to be learned. A person has the innate desire to learn more about things that are not yet fully understood. Machines do not possess this trait as they only rely on the availability of information stored in their databases. Machines rely on humans to input information. They are not capable of thinking and learning independently.

Moreover, metacognition is a skill that human beings develop overtime. Experiences and added learning make a person more capable of practicing cognition and have better decision-making skills. Metacognition may be likened to a car driver who is capable of applying certain principles to make a car work and to make sure that the car works properly. Machines do not have that special ability of being able to decipher which principle will work best in a certain situation. This would be a big hindrance in performing humanly jobs, especially in the field of medicine.

Machines or supercomputers that possess artificial intelligence can overpower human abilities that can eventually lead to the replacement of humans in performing jobs. However, there are still limitations that will not allow robots and devices to totally take over all humanly functions. They may be expected to bring new hope to the human race but it is still too early to conclude that they will render humans jobless.