Life without the iPhone, I don’t think so. Platforms like Google, Apple Twitter and Facebook have revolutionised how we live and most of us love our technological devices and their benefits.
Massive profits from our investments help Tech giants increase their capability at lightning speed. One tech giant makes a billion dollars a month in profit alone! This success enables them to invest in more technological advances like artificial intelligence (AI).
It’s been exciting times. Yet our preoccupation with “what is”, has limited our ability to anticipate and manage the unintended technological consequences of “what may be”.
Could we have ever imagined our employment fate could be decided by a push of a button, by a potential employer looking at our social media pages, with not one word uttered?
Our world is becoming increasingly complex; businesses and governments can barely react to the technological changes – let alone consider consequences and be proactive.
As a society, however, we cannot use this as an excuse. It is more important than ever Tech companies, individuals, businesses and governments run this race together, pushing each to do their best to deliver benefits for everyone.
Let me explain why by using an analogy of “a race”
Let’s use the ride-sharing giant, Uber as an example.
It is a packed stadium with many onlookers, a race is underway with four runners.
Lane one is in the lead. Representing technology companies who are setting a fast pace. In front is, Uber, thumbing their nose and so far, winning the race.
The next lane is the individual – a representative of you and me. We race to catch up, and quickly adapt to the ride sharing service. In fact, the number of Uber drivers has already reached 72,000 in Australia.
The third lane is business, slower again. The taxi business hit hard by Uber technology; taken by surprise by the first and second runners and are scrambling to adjust.
In last place is the government who must reconsider how the whole legislative system works with taxi plates, safety and taxation. A difficult challenge particularly when they are already at the back of the pack.
The good news is some governments around the world, are taking different approaches to the race. Some are more strategic than others exploring different options, investing resources, determined to maintain the powerful role of government.
How does the analogy of “the race” apply to discrimination?
The 1991 Antidiscrimination Act says we are unable to discriminate across 14 categories, including gender, race age or parental responsibilities.
Look at the potential impact of photo and facial recognition technology.
In first place. Tech companies revolutionise facial recognition programs. This is now a 3-billion-dollar market in the US alone with an error rate of only .8{01332a80e2e652688e18927fa9a6162580960d47bc08263a3993439d666dcd52}
Second place – individuals, at least for now. We take photos and put them on all over social media platforms. Freely agreeing access from biotechnologies, pacing ourselves with lane one.
Running third is business. They may see the benefits of accessing employee photos on social media or participating in facial recognition technology. Starting to sprint, they may not see the hurdles discrimination puts in front of them.
In fourth place, again is the legislative process. What type of anti-discrimination legislation is now required to manage the impact of photos and facial recognition?
There are now so many grey areas to contemplate. What happens if a rejected employee claims discrimination based on their belief the employer accessed their social media pages and made judgements about them, particularly when they asked to do so?
Combine this with more technological obstacles and legislation may fall further behind. Consider the impact of an app called FIND FACE which takes a photo of someone and uses it to find their social media account and algorithms which filter job applications for specific aspects, for example, ethnicity and signs of intelligence and sexuality.
What can each runner do to provide the best outcome for themselves and society which the crowd represents?
The best race is one where the field is tight with each runner at their peak. It helps to bring out the best performances and provides the most engagement from the crowds.
Lane 1
Technology is moving fast; it will not slow down. However, technology companies need to invest more of their resources in understanding the unintended consequences of the failures in the other lanes. There may be no race to run if there are no competitors nor any crowds to buy the tickets.
Lane 2
As responsible citizens, it is up to us to put pressure on the other lanes to perform and challenge themselves. We must keep informed, engage in the public debates and reduce obstacles within our control. This may involve managing social media posts which could negatively impact on future job opportunities.
Lane 3
Businesses must invest in keeping fit, invest in resources to educate themselves, generate relevant policies, and anticipate obstacles. They must up their game to tighten the race.
Lane 4
Lane one is driving immense social and economic change and it’s time for governments to proactively help shape that future as fast as they can. To do this they must be well informed, engage in relevant strategies and provide superior resources enabling them to be fit for their role in the race.
As Elon Musk a leader of Lane one said:
“Governments must be proactive, not reactive on the regulation of AI. By the time we are reactive in AI. It will be too late.”
If this happens the metaphorical race will be over. The runner’s choice.
