Understanding the Ideal Human-Machine Relationship

On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Podcast - Interview Series, host Daniel Newman is joined by Logan Wilt, AI data scientist and Applied AI Center of Excellence Garage Leader at DXC Technology to talk about using AI to approach problem solving and the human-machine relationship we are now encountering. We also discussed how organizations can get started with AI and data collection — a must for the time we are living in.

In our conversation, Logan and I discussed the coexistence of AI and humans. Despite the sci-fi movies, AI won’t ever fully replace humans. AI is learning from every interaction, but it still has shortcomings that humans need to compensate for. Just like humans have shortcomings that AI can compensate for. Organizations need to embrace that employees and AI have to work together in order to get the most out of the technology.

Ideal AI-Human relationships exist already. Logan shared her thoughts on the benefits of ideal human-AI relationships that we are already seeing even just from simple software applications in the home like a self-learning thermostat and an Alexa device. AI is learning patterns from our behavior that is eliminating the need for us to spend time programming or fiddling with the thermostat. It’s a simple idea, but we are now free to spend more time on other tasks that might require more mental energy.

Even something small like the predictive text in Google apps now can help us write an email faster. The ideal AI-human relationship allows us to spend time on things that really matter.

Getting started with AI. Logan and I discussed how companies can get started on their AI journey which included understanding that AI and data are cyclical in nature, not linear. Logan recommended that companies start with the problem they want to solve and work backwards from there to determine the type of data that would need to be collected. Then examine it from the other direction and look at the type of data that needs to be collected and how it will be stored to determine the kind of AI that can be done. Data and AI influence each other.

AI is creating jobs, not taking them. Lastly, I shared that AI, machine learning and data have created entire new departments in organizations with thousands of new jobs. Logan added that to fill these jobs, companies don’t need a data god. You need someone who is logical and curious and willing to put in the time to examine the issues. Companies can benefit from upskilling existing employees who fit this description instead of hiring someone entirely new. Data and AI are here to stay and if we want to make the most of it, we need the right talent to drive the processes.

If your company is looking at adopting AI or expanding your existing AI program, this is one podcast you don’t want to miss. Also be sure to check out what DXC Technology is doing with AI — lots of exciting things are sure to come.