Should We Embrace Some Inefficiency in a Tech-Driven World?

But the real question we should ask is whether the world should keep some inefficiencies. This is better than always chasing efficiency, which might lead us to confusion. There will never be a time when humans can just sit back while robots solve all our problems. Artificial Intelligence cannot do every task, even if it tries hard.

The history of governments and businesses is about seeking efficiency. An effective government is one that uses public resources wisely and provides value to its citizens. While perfection is impossible, governments worldwide strive for it, facing pressure from citizens for transparency, efficiency, and value for money. For companies, shareholders expect the best returns. Despite shifts in management theories, firms still try to balance efficiency between shareholder duties and other stakeholder interests.

The history of discoveries and innovations focuses on achieving greater efficiency. Recently, I discussed inverter air conditioning with a knowledgeable friend. He explained how old A/C compressors used pistons like car engines. Someone figured out how to achieve the same cooling with less force. He shared how modern A/C systems slow down when cooling is reached and work harder when the room temperature rises. This is just one small part of our lives. We should appreciate those who research to improve our comfort. Innovations in health, agriculture, and housing have indeed improved our lives compared to a hundred years ago.

The search for comfort is endless, and smart inventors develop systems that offer more comfort. A machine is anything that helps people use less effort for the same outcome. I got this definition from a fictional genius in an Indian movie called Three Idiots. The character Chatur Ramalingam, played by Aamir Khan, stands up to the strict Mr Virus at the Imperial College of Engineering. This movie is among the best from India and has many awards. We could discuss how much Africans have contributed to these innovations. However, that is not the focus here. African professionals face challenges, but there is always room for improvement. Everyone values comfort, ease, and efficiency. Some might say Nigerians go too far in seeking convenience, spending money on the latest gadgets and cars. We need to think about the sustainability of our habits and financial choices.

This is where AI's harsh efficiency comes in.

AI has been created to:

1. Make work and workplaces more efficient.
2. Save the time humans spend thinking, boosting efficiency in workplaces.
3. Reduce creativity time to the bare minimum. This could involve office documents, drawings, music, movies, etc.
4. Maximize relaxation and entertainment for people.
5. Simplify logistics and supply chains.
6. And more.

This is what I have gathered about AI so far. I have learned more about it and earned certifications in Claude, Gemini, and ChatGPT on the Coursiv platform. I am also taking an eight-week online course on AI and Business Analytics at Cambridge University. Soon, billions will learn how to use AI for greater efficiency. Some talk about an AI bubble, suggesting too much hype and investment in its development. That may be true, but for now, learning AI is essential for all professionals. With the affordable Coursiv program, I can prompt AI to create images, short clips, and even music. I can also use AI platforms for generating documents or analyzing them, including comparing different documents. And I am still a beginner.

In recent months, top tech companies have laid off hundreds of thousands of workers. They often cite 'AI Efficiency' in their dismissal letters. This means that companies like Google, Meta, Oracle, and Amazon see no need to keep expensive workers when AI makes operations more efficient and profitable. Coders, graphic artists, analysts, and even managers face job cuts. For business owners who understand AI, the thought becomes, "Why pay someone to do in a month what AI can do in minutes?" In our capitalist world, this trend is likely to continue and spread to smaller companies and governments.

The scary part is the impact on jobs globally. With tech companies starting mass layoffs due to AI efficiency, will others follow soon? Should governments keep large numbers of workers when AI can take over? Some researchers warn that eventually, AI efficiency could leave many without jobs.

The average worker has never been more vulnerable. AI represents the fourth or fifth industrial revolution, likely having effects similar to electricity or the internet. Remember when research meant climbing ladders to find books that only a few could understand? Now, a quick Google search solves many problems. Today, AI can analyze countless digitized works and present results in seconds. This is work that used to need many experts and cost a lot of time and money for just a fraction of the efficiency we have now.

A concern with AI is whether it will reduce our ability to think independently. This is real. Imagine fresh graduates skipping the hard work of reading and research. With AI, will they just type prompts and relax like retirees? Or will we learn more from the vast AI-generated research we access daily? Will our minds expand or shrink? Could we become better creators using AI? These are possibilities. There may be things we need today that AI can help us create for the world. Fingers crossed.

The scary part is the impact on jobs globally. With tech companies starting mass layoffs due to AI efficiency, will others follow soon? Should governments keep large numbers of workers when AI can take over? Some researchers warn that eventually, AI efficiency could leave many without jobs. Global leaders should think about Universal Basic Income, which would provide a monthly amount to everyone, even if they do not work. Personally, I doubt we will reach that point. AI cannot do manual labor. It cannot fix plumbing or do masonry. Someone must get up and do these jobs. AI can handle desk work, analysis, graphics, and music, relying on existing knowledge.

One major criticism of AI is that it uses other people's work without paying. AI references many people's work, including interviews and social media posts. It can reference and sample anyone's work, potentially replacing many without compensation.

Some of the most concerned about AI are the big companies themselves. They are developing their proprietary AIs and blocking access to other platforms. Employees cannot use any AI outside company-sanctioned ones, even if they may be better. This paranoia likely comes from not wanting generic AI to access and misuse their information.

I believe Nigeria still has advantages, even as unemployment rises globally. We have many job opportunities, especially in sectors where AI may not function well. Nigeria has a low number of public workers compared to developed countries. Only about 3 percent of our workforce is in government, while countries like Sweden and Denmark have around 30 percent.

Like Africa, we may take time to catch up on innovations. Even Europe struggles with AI, as countries like France and the UK try to reduce dependence on American systems. Right now, the AI race is mostly between the US and China, while the rest of us buy their products. AI could be seen as stealing data that people leave unprotected. It transforms data into something you have to buy back.

I believe Nigeria still has advantages, even as unemployment rises globally. We have many job opportunities, especially in sectors where AI may not function well. Nigeria has a low number of public workers compared to developed countries. Only about 3 percent of our workforce is in government, while countries like Sweden and Denmark have around 30 percent. The UK has 17 percent, and the US has 13 percent. We have significant potential for jobs in security, education, health, and social services. AI will not replace teachers in rural areas where electricity is scarce, and we still need personal interactions.

AI cannot replace all our nurses yet. We need more doctors and nurses. Also, AI cannot fill social service roles that have yet to be established. Our local governments should focus on this crucial area. We cannot let children wander the streets without schooling. We should not leave disabled people begging or the elderly vulnerable. We must not ignore the mentally challenged in our cities. We also need to address environmental issues. AI cannot fix these problems for us. We have a chance to create millions of jobs while the world faces the challenges of a changing system. We must understand our place and responsibilities as a people.

Nota Bene: This is not an AI-generated article. One skill from studying AI is detecting AI-written work. Even though AI learns to hide its traces, we may eventually compare past skills with the quality of AI-assisted reports. If someone who struggled with writing suddenly submits an impressive analysis, chances are AI helped them.