Last week, at the SingularityU Summit in Bangkok -- a two-day event that comprised a series of talks by visionary technologists inspired an audience who were mostly business leaders and key policymakers, I was honoured to join Dr Vivienne Ming of Socos Labs and Dr John Jiang of CP on stage to discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on Southeast Asia.
The recurring theme throughout the event was the concept of "exponential" technology. This term emphasises the rapid growth of impact from breakthrough technologies. By nature, humans are linear thinkers. We often (mistakenly) over-estimate the impact of technology in the short run, but underestimate its effects in the long run. As a result, we can dismiss new technology prematurely, and thus forgo what could become the next big thing.
With such an exponential trajectory, especially in AI development, the future of work is changing rapidly. Many fear that AI is a very real threat to our job security. As a parent of two preschoolers, I have always pondered what skills our children will need in the next decade.
