Artificial general intelligence (AGI) is a hot topic these days. Some people are fascinated by the idea of machines that can think like humans, while others find it a bit scary. Meanwhile, tech giants like Google, NVIDIA, Microsoft, OpenAI and more are rushing towards this technology, eager to secure a higher place in the race.
But here’s the real question: how close are we to actually implementing the AGI? Is this future near, or will it take another decade or more to get there? And, just as importantly, what effect will AGI have on our lives when it finally arrives?
Well, let’s take a look.
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Is the AGI promise realistic?
Yes it is. To put it in simple terms, the human brain is essentially a biological computer, and creating AGI comes down to replicating this type of thinking in a machine. It’s just a matter of time and sufficient computing power. The developmental advances we’ve seen in AI models and hardware, especially over the past few years, make me believe that AGI could be feasible within the next 5-7 years. And if this happens, our society will experience massive changes.
Let’s take a familiar example: since the beginning of their development, smartphones and the Internet have come a long way, and today it is almost impossible to imagine our daily life without them. AGI will eventually take up a place in the same training as them, becoming an essential part of the daily routine.
In fact, it’s likely that AGI will become even more indispensable than the Internet. Even now we can clearly see that ChatGPT is easier to ask a question and watch because it gives you the exact information you need. No longer do you have to manually scroll through dozens of search results in Google to find the right link. AGI will significantly streamline this process, providing rapid responses tailored to your specific requests.
The effect of AGI on the labor market
Not long ago, the widely held assumption was that AI would primarily take over repetitive manual tasks, leaving humans to focus on creativity and personal development. But, ironically, creative fields have become the first to be influenced by AI adoption. Illustration, design, music, writing: human content creators at all levels feel threatened.
Programming is certainly a field that will undergo significant transformation over the next few years. Just as the invention of the camera forced painters to rethink their craft, AGI will push programmers, writers and other professionals to abandon routine tasks and turn to more creative and holistic thinking.
The repetitive parts of a creative process could easily be automated, but true innovation will remain in human hands. Those who can push the boundaries, creating new genres or approaches, will survive (and probably even thrive), while those who only produce repetitive work will struggle to maintain their value.
The same goes for other professions. Product thinking will, in all likelihood, become more important than possessing highly specialized skills, as AGI will eventually become able to replicate the latter quite easily.
Does this mean that AI skills are more important than technical skills?
Let’s take a look at this from a kitchen perspective. You can find just about any recipe online, but that doesn’t mean everyone can make a delicious meal just by following it. The value of a chef’s skill comes from nuanced expertise, knowing how to mix ingredients in the right way to achieve a delicious result.
Likewise, I think professionals who can see the big picture and effectively guide AI systems to achieve specific goals will be in demand. Just as a chef doesn’t need to understand every detail of cheese production to make a great cheese dish, a programmer doesn’t need to write every line of code by hand to create a great application.
An experienced developer could use AGI to create applications in almost any programming language. They may not need to do routine coding themselves, but they will still need to have a keen eye on the overall architecture design so they can oversee the process. On the other hand, someone without much programming experience would have difficulty giving AGI the right instructions or determining whether the final product is good. They wouldn’t see the hidden nuances that could make or break the project.
This type of model will spread to many other professions, and strategic thinkers who can focus on the big picture and leverage AGI effectively will ultimately be the ones who come out on top.
Prepare your business for the future of AGI
When AGI is finally deployed, it will dramatically accelerate business innovation. Machines don’t need breaks, vacations or sick leave. They can work around the clock, and for a business owner, that’s as promising as it is dangerous. Remember: your competitors will likely be thinking along the same lines as you, looking to use this technology to their advantage.
To stay ahead of the curve, it’s important to start preparing now. Companies need to invest in employee training and start restructuring workflows so that AI becomes a regular tool that their team uses every day, just like any other office equipment. This way, they will be in a much better position to adopt AGI as soon as it is released and make it a central part of their strategy.
The takeaway is simple: AGI happens faster than you think. This will reshape the way we work and live, so the best thing you can do is start preparing now. Those who adapt will thrive, while those who resist risk finding themselves left behind.
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