In the recent weeks, news of AI’s potential effects on the workforce has put many experts, industry players and government regulatory bodies on alert. AI technologies, such as ChatGPT, are changing the way humans are employed, processed and categorized by machines. While some push for regulatory oversight, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy is unphased by the rise of AI.
In a recent interview with CNBC, he argues that nothing can beat the human mind, even AI technologies like ChatGPT. He argues that the chatbot is an excellent tool in knowledge generation but ultimately, it can never surpass the human mind. This sentiment echoes statements made by BYJU’S cofounder at a summit earlier this month which said that AI should be used as an instrument to produce a better quality of work but not as a replacement for humans.
The industry’s debate between human-driven and AI-driven work force has intensified, especially in the wake of the recent advancements in AI such as Auto-GPT. Auto-GPT’s ability to autonomously perform tasks for its objective without human interference has stirred the debate further.
Zoho cofounder, Sridhar Vembu, recently wrote an open letter to the Indian government that warned of the potentially catastrophic consequences of AI. He noted that AI is fast becoming a disruption in workforce and with no proper regulations in place, it can result in unprecedented disruption of the existing social order.
In Parliament, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw clarified that the government was not looking to regulate the AI space but she also noted the ethical and risk concerns related to the technology. In line with this, the government has undertaken initiatives to leverage AI for public delivery services such as the Digital India BHASHINI Project, Facilitating AI-as-a-Service on the Meghraj cloud and the establishment of several Centres of Excellence to provide skill-based training on emerging technology, such as AI and blockchain. On the other hand, Digital India GENESIS, spearheaded by DPIIT, has committed to support 10,000 startups in the AI domain over the next five to six years. This has led to the emergence of homegrown AI players such as Sonic Chat, Lei, Rephrase.AI, among others.
Given its potential, the India AI software market is estimated to be at $2.76 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $7.8 billion by 2025.
Narayana Murthy is the co-founder of Infosys, a global leader in the technology space. He is a highly acclaimed entrepreneur and thought leader in India, having made major contributions to the society by investing in education, healthcare, and rural development. His view on AI and its potential effects on the workforce makes huge waves in the current industry debate and his options for regulation should be taken seriously by the government.
