THE resurgence of artificial intelligence (AI) at present time is now in its ongoing debate - some argue that AI and automation will lead to widespread unemployment and economic instability, while others believe AI will create new job opportunities and enhance the workforce.
Despite existing debates whether AI can replace jobs, a business leader from the information and communications technology (ICT) sector said they “have not heard of reports of the long-predicted drop” in hiring people, such as in business process outsourcing (BPO) companies in Davao City.
“The ICT industry in Davao is keenly monitoring the potential impact of AI on the BPO sector and on the digital transformation and innovation initiatives in both the public and private sectors,” Samuel Matunog, president of Davao City Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Council, said.
“So far, we have not heard of reports of the long-predicted drop in BPO hiring traceable to investments, in and adoption of AI technologies by (BPO) companies or their clients,” he added.
Matunog said in Davao, the application of AI technology is still in its research and development (R&D) phase among universities and local companies.
“We are unaware of major investments in AI among local companies and even in the academe,” Matunog said.
However, Matunog said there are a lot of potential local businesses seeking partnerships with AI companies.
“Some local companies are exploring partnerships with established AI companies in lead generation processes, natural language processing, image processing, content development, issue tracking, and even software development,” Samuel Matunog, president of Davao City Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Council said.
Meanwhile, a UPMin professor and an AI-powered machines proponent here in Davao City said the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is already being studied in the academe and workforce.
“Let’s face it, there is no turning back. AI is here to stay,” Dr. Jose Ildefonso Rubrico, a UPMin professor and Autonomous Societally Inspired Mission Oriented Vehicles (Asimov) program leader said in an interview. He is also a proponent of AI-powered machines developed at the University of the Philippines - Mindanao (UPMin).
Rubrico and his team in UPMin are currently developing AI-powered vehicles under Asimov, one aerial drone called unmanned automated vehicles (UAVs) and a land vehicle called Robot for Optimized and Autonomous Mission Enhancement Response (ROAMER) for the Asimov program.
These vehicles are developed to be used for a lot of purposes, such as in maintaining agricultural plantations, weather forecasts, and search and rescue, among others.
UPMin is also developing an AI knowledge database called Philippine Sky Artificial Intelligence Program or (SkAI Pinas). It stores data that can train AI models to help build more scientific projects and models in the future.
“All of these [AI advancements] affect not only one part of the world, but it will really also affect all parts of the world where technology usually is, and it includes Davao City,” Rubrico added.
AI: A threat or a tool?
Just weeks ago, the ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot made to accommodate user prompts, had been updated to version 4.0.
“GPT-4 is more creative and collaborative than ever before. It can generate, edit, and iterate with users on creative and technical writing tasks, such as composing songs, writing screenplays, or learning a user’s writing style,” ChatGPT stated on their website.
The tool can also show empathy to its users and can speak many languages, even Cebuano, Davao Conyo (colloquial), and even “jejemon” text typings.
Brenda, surname withheld, admitted she uses ChatGPT and other AI tools for her work automation. A home-based virtual assistant, she said it is very “difficult” for her to catch up with her workload, which is why she needs to use AI.
“Mura siyag daotan, pero dili man. Gusto lang pod ko madali akong trabaho ug ma-comfort na (It may seem wrong, but it’s not. I just want to make my work easier),” Brenda said.
However, despite the rise of AI tools, these cannot mimic human empathy, Rubrico said.
“But we have a counter-argument there... Yes, AI can provide a lot of information, but there is a different kind of warmth when you are talking to a real person,” Rubrico said.
Rubrico said people would prefer AI to answer technical questions, but not practical, emotional questions which will need a personal connection, such as suicide hotlines and sharing problems.
However, Rubrico said people now are appreciating how AI works.
“I believe here in Davao, we are already at the threshold where we appreciate what artificial intelligence can do,” Rubrico added.
AI is here to stay and evolve - as experts put it. Like any other technology, its pros and cons matter, the whys and the hows continue to grow. Depending on how we use this new tech, it can help or break us, only time will tell. ICE