Do you think AI will finally take over all human jobs? Write a letter to the editor to express your view.

5A Zhang Xiao Bing Phoebe

Dear Editor,

Whether we like it or not, technology is taking over, and pretty soon we will be surrounded by machines. However, from my point of my view, it is more reasonable to say that AI machines cannot take over all human jobs. There are three reasons that could justify my position.

To start with, it is common to believe that AI machines can substitute some human jobs but we should not ignore that there are lots of human tasks which cannot be handled by AI machines and robotics. For example, Oxford university points out that although AI machines will handle more than half of all workplace tasks by 2025, there are 133 million emerging jobs that will be created. What calls for special attention is that human invents AI machines in order to resolve existing work. Therefore, AI machines are incapable of solving new kinds of work. It goes without saying that AI machines cannot take over all human jobs.

What is more, AI machines is a cold-hearted and rigid machinery that can never serve as an artist. Owing to the fact that AI machines and robotics are driven by a series of formula, they do not have emotions. In spite of the ability of AI machines to replicate or imitate, they still cannot create unprecedented artworks and literary works like any human artists and authors. Arts are no doubt a combination of sentiments and creativity. These attributes/qualities are precisely what the machines lack. That is why AI machines cannot take over all human jobs.

Apart from that, there is no doubt that AI machines are heartless and have no emotional intelligence. Thus, they cannot replace medical staff like nurses and caregivers. No one can deny that plenty of the elderly who live in nursing home need the attention and love of the caregivers. If AI machines become the caregivers in nursing home, the elderly will not have any genuine communication in their daily lives, not to mention receiving attention and love from human beings. Moreover, AI machines do not have the intelligence to understand the emotional needs of a person. They cannot tell whether the elderly are happy, depressed or anxious. Not only can’t they console the elders, but very likely, they might stir up the emotional instability of the vulnerable elders. Hence, it is evident to say that AI machines could not take over all human works because of a lack of emotional quotient.

Some people may suggest that robots can undertake the duties of teachers. However, it is not true. Because as a teacher, one should shoulder the responsibility to teach students not only knowledge, but also the morals of being a person. Although AI machines can inculcate knowledge, they are machines from beginning to end. They do not have experience of life. They are without soul and are no different from walking dead. Therefore, they are not even qualified to play the teaching role and to be the role models of the young generations. Hence, I disagree with the view that AI machines can take over all human jobs.

Ultimately, the challenges arisen from emergence of AI is a highly controversial issue. It will definitely change/transform the world of work. Nevertheless, it can be justified from the above examples that AI machines cannot replace all human jobs. Instead of adopting a pessimistic outlook towards the advent of new technologies, we should adapt to the new landscape of work/the shifting future of work and embrace the imminent challenges.

Yours faithfully
Zhang Xiao Bing Phoebe