Latest news with #MIT
NDTV
an hour ago
- Business
- NDTV
AI To Create Mad Max-Like Future? Top Economist's Chilling Prediction
MIT economist David Autor has warned that rapid automation caused by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) could lead to a Mad Max scenario where jobs may still exist, but the skills that once generated wages would become less valuable, making the paychecks smaller and existence difficult. "The more likely scenario to me looks much more like Mad Max: Fury Road, where everybody is competing over a few remaining resources that aren't controlled by some warlord somewhere," Mr Autor said on the Possible podcast, hosted by LinkedIn cofounder Reed Hoffman. The reference by Mr Autor is from the 2015 movie by George Miller, set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland where scarcity and inequality prevail while a tyrant rules over the hapless population. Mr Autor believes that AI could concentrate the wealth in the hands of people at the top while the workers fight for morsels. "The threat that rapid automation poses - to the degree it poses as a threat - is not running out of work, but making the valuable skills that people have highly abundant so they're no longer valuable," he said, adding that roles like typists, factory technicians, and even taxi driver might be replaced. AI to take away jobs Mr Autor is not the only one warning about a dystopian AI future. In May, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei warned that AI could soon wipe out 50 per cent of entry-level white-collar jobs within the next five years. He added that governments across the world were downplaying the threat when AI's rising use could lead to a significant spike in unemployment numbers. "We, as the producers of this technology, have a duty and an obligation to be honest about what is coming. I don't think this is on people's radar," said Mr Amodei. According to the Anthropic boss, unemployment could increase by 10 per cent to 20 per cent over the next five years, with most of the people 'unaware' about what was coming. "Most of them are unaware that this is about to happen. It sounds crazy, and people just don't believe it," he said. "It's a very strange set of dynamics where we're saying: 'You should be worried about where the technology we're building is going.'"
Fast Company
4 hours ago
- Business
- Fast Company
How to avoid creating 'AI zombies' in your workplace
Zombies have always fascinated me: one favorite is Brad Pitt's World War Z, a fun movie of the genre with its brain-dead bodies wandering aimlessly through the world looking to feed off the living. But recent highly publicized research from MIT has left me wondering whether we are entering the land of the living dead as we head into the AI-powered workplace. The study, carried out by MIT Media Lab, focused on how the use of chatbots impacts our thinking. Using EEG brain scans, researchers found that when people relied on AI to write essays, their brain activity plummeted—with as much as 55% less activity in areas related to memory, creativity, and attention. But that's not all: after pivoting away from the AI, users still underperformed in critical thinking and recall tasks. The research suggests, too, that this underperformance may heighten our risk for clinical depression and anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia. The costs of AI to our critical thinking The adoption of AI chatbots has been a rapid revolution; ChatGPT, for example, set a record for the fastest-growing user base of any modern consumer application when it reached over 100 million users two months after launching in 2022. Since then, many doomsdayers have been predicting the demise of millions of jobs and the downgrading of humanity to no longer being the smartest in our universe. I believe in humanity's ability to change and adapt—but this research does raise some serious questions about the long-term impact for AI in organizations. Subscribe to the Daily newsletter. Fast Company's trending stories delivered to you every day Privacy Policy | Fast Company Newsletters If we encourage our people to adopt AI-first strategies into our business activities, we may be setting ourselves up for failure. In the short term, things may be getting done more efficiently and revenue may be up. But what about the cost to your corporate resilience and problem-solving? The collective cognitive cost is that we risk creating a workforce that appears busy, but is functionally brain-dead, unable to think for themselves, problem-solve, or be creative. In other words? Zombies. But there is still time to push back against the impending threat of corporate zombie-ism. Here are four things you can do to arm yourself against the invasion. Hone a reinvention mindset. Reinvention isn't easy, but it's critical to be able to adapt to a fast-changing environment. This starts by reviewing your strengths and weaknesses. From there, you can make a conscious decision about what will serve you in the new world and what won't. Just like moving houses, you don't want to take all the junk with you. A reinvention mindset sees disruption as an opportunity, failure as a learning curve, and adaptability as a superpower. Empower your team. As AI becomes the new normal, your team will need to evolve their skills to identify and adapt to new opportunities. Training them to be AI-competent, while still encouraging the need for individuality and human-centric creativity and logic, will help maintain a healthy balance. Tough it out. It's through failing, learning, growing, and continuing on that we build deep knowledge, resilience, and pride in our efforts. Create guidelines for your workplace's use of AI, and reinforce that AI is merely a tool, rather than a complete solution. Have fun. During challenging times, increased stress and cortisol often restrict our ability to think logically and strategically. We are in survival mode. One of the best ways to address this is to release the pressure valve by having fun. Encourage the team to laugh, play, enjoy, and live in the moment. A shot of dopamine will reinforce the culture of reinvention that will always win over zombies. If a culture where zombies are accepted creates teams with a high AI-dependency and lowered critical thinking skills, then creating a reinvention mindset is the best path to long-term success. By focusing on our human qualities that make a culture unique and high performing, such as curiosity, resilience, and creative problem-solving, you will build a culture of reinvention that won't just survive in this changing world order—it will lead it.
Time Business News
10 hours ago
- Business
- Time Business News
Amit Kakkar: A Freelance Consultant and Social Impact Leader Transforming Lives Across India
New Delhi, India – In a world where meaningful impact matters more than ever, Amit Kakkar, a highly accomplished freelance consultant and social impact leader, stands out for his unwavering commitment to social change and community development. With over 25 years of experience, Amit has made a significant mark across multiple sectors, including education, healthcare, real estate, travel, and social welfare. Born into a humble family in Punjab, Amit Kakkar's journey exemplifies dedication, perseverance, and purpose. His educational background is both diverse and impressive. Amit holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA), a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications (PGDCA), Master of Science (MSc), and a Master in Information Technology (MIT). He is also an Oracle Certified Professional (OCP 8i)—a testament to his technical expertise. Beyond his formal education, Amit has completed various certifications, including programs related to Study in the USA and Canada, further enhancing his ability to guide others toward international opportunities. Amit Kakkar's professional journey reflects a dynamic blend of technology, consultancy, and social work: 1995–2001 : Served as Networking Incharge at Tata Infotech , laying a strong foundation in IT infrastructure. : Served as , laying a strong foundation in IT infrastructure. 2001–2004 : Worked as an Oracle Database Administrator at GMCH Sector 32, Chandigarh. : Worked as an at GMCH Sector 32, Chandigarh. 2004–2014 : Excelled as an Education Consultant , helping thousands of students secure admissions to prestigious colleges and universities worldwide. His consultancy won the Best Consultants Award eight times in ten years. : Excelled as an , helping thousands of students secure admissions to prestigious colleges and universities worldwide. His consultancy won the 2014–Present: Transitioned into a Professional Freelancer, specializing in: Over the last decade, Amit's freelance consultancy has been recognized repeatedly, securing the Best Consultant Award six times in the last eight years, a clear reflection of his client-centric approach and excellent service delivery. Amit Kakkar isn't just a successful consultant; he is also a committed social worker and humanitarian. As the founder of a highly impactful NGO in India, Amit has changed the lives of over 25,000 individuals, offering services that focus on: Free education for underprivileged children Medical camps for preventive healthcare and disease awareness Fighting cybercrime and human trafficking Promoting safety, security, and empowerment for vulnerable groups His NGO runs several impactful programs aimed at breaking cycles of poverty, improving health outcomes, and enhancing community well-being. Amit's unique blend of technical skills and humanitarian focus allows him to operate effectively across various industries and causes: In technology and real estate , he offers expert consultancy to clients navigating complex markets. , he offers expert consultancy to clients navigating complex markets. In education , he has helped thousands of students achieve their dreams of studying abroad. , he has helped thousands of students achieve their dreams of studying abroad. In healthcare , his efforts include preventive health initiatives, awareness drives, and consulting. , his efforts include preventive health initiatives, awareness drives, and consulting. In social welfare, his NGO tirelessly fights against issues like cybercrime, exploitation, and human trafficking, offering protective services and support for at-risk communities. Despite his professional commitments, Amit maintains a balanced personal life. He enjoys spending time with his wife, two children, and his extended family. His values of empathy, integrity, and service are deeply rooted in both his personal and professional endeavors. If you are seeking a versatile freelance consultant in India who delivers results with compassion and professionalism, Amit Kakkar is the ideal choice. His extensive experience, diverse expertise, and commitment to ethical practices set him apart in sectors like travel, real estate, healthcare, education, and social development. To collaborate, seek consultancy, or support his social initiatives, connect with Amit Kakkar via LinkedIn: �� Amit Kakkar LinkedIn Profile TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bank of Canada Identifies Technical Path for Retail CBDC in New Research Paper
The Bank of Canada took a significant step in exploring the technical feasibility of a digital Canadian dollar, proposing a specific system designed for a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) focused on simple, everyday payments, according to a new research paper. The central bank's research team examined OpenCBDC 2PC, a model developed in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Digital Currency Initiative. This design prioritizes privacy, speed and decentralization by allowing users to hold digital funds directly, much like digital cash. The new research comes after the Bank of Canada said it is shifting its focus away from a retail CBDC last year, saying that it was prepared if the people of the nation decide such a product is needed in the future. A major focus of the report is privacy, which isn't a big surprise because CBDCs have sparked debate around the world, in part on concerns they could enable state surveillance of financial activity. Unlike cash, which is anonymous, a CBDC could theoretically allow a central authority to track every transaction. The report suggested that the system separates personal identity from transaction data, allowing non-registered users to hold funds in self-custodied wallets. The users could then transact without sharing their identity with a bank or payment processor. Even for registered users, the central bank would not have access to identifying information or transaction histories. The report goes further, proposing enhanced protection by potentially using cryptographic techniques such as zero-knowledge proofs to obscure transaction amounts from the core infrastructure. These features collectively offer a level of privacy that the authors say could exceed that of current electronic payment systems. In contrast to traditional banking systems, where money is stored in user accounts, the report suggests a design that uses "unspent transaction outputs" (UTXOs) — a structure more commonly associated with Bitcoin. The system processes transactions in two steps: updating a core ledger and transferring funds from one user's wallet to another. This approach supports real-time settlement and offers a higher degree of privacy from both banks and government institutions. While the report lays out a detailed technical solution to a potential digital Canadian dollar, it also identifies potential hurdles. One of the main hurdles is that integrating the proposed architecture with existing retail payment infrastructure could require substantial technical upgrades, including in the way point-of-sale terminals handle digital cash-like transfers. Additionally, while the system is scalable in theory, performance dips during audits and system recovery operations need further engineering work to meet production-grade standards. The paper clearly states that this is not a commitment to launch a CBDC. However, the findings lay out a concrete technical foundation for what such a system could look like— one that balances user privacy, institutional control, and operational resilience. Whether the central bank will implement it remains a question, given the controversy surrounding CBDC. However, the timing of the report could be right as Canada's new prime minister, Mark Carney, was quoted in his 2021 book as a supporter of CBDCs. "The most likely future of money is a central bank stablecoin, known as a central bank digital currency or CBDC,' he wrote in his book. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ironheart Head Writer Shares the Sweet, Real-Life Inspiration for Landon, the Kid With the Wagon
Marvel Television's Ironheart opened with a sequence that resulted in 'bad girl genius' Riri Williams' (Dominique Thorne) expulsion from MIT. As she flew home to Chicago — in her self-made supersuit — the school-assigned AI assistant glitched out, leading to a very bumpy landing. Helping Riri complete the final blocks of her trip home, by lugging the pieces of her busted suit in his wagon — in trade for an Andrew Jackson, mind you — was a local youth named Landon, played by Harper Anthony. Landon would resurface later in the six-episode season, as part of the team of friends and family that helps Riri re-re-rebuild her suit, in time for a pivotal face-off with The Hood. More from TVLine Is Leanne Morgan Sitcom Reba Redux? Did Bear 'Cave' Grow? Does Last of Us News Bode Well for Part III Game? Did Lucifer Botch Beach Pick? And More TV Qs! Save the Dates: Delayed Digman! Season 2, Eyes of Wakanda and More Marvel's Big TV Teases: Will Mephisto Go the Way of the Power Broker, Hulk's Son, Super Skrull G'iah...? When I hopped on my recent Zoom with Ironheart head writer Chinaka Hodge and fellow EP Ryan Coogler, I couldn't help but first acknowledge the series' young cast. Led by Thorne but also featuring great work by Lyric Ross (as N.A.T.A.L.I.E.) and scene stealer Regan Aliyha (as Zelma), the cast, I noted, was 'dynamite — down to the kid with the wagon!' Both Hodge and Coogler replied to my kudos with appreciative clapping, after which the former elaborated on the series' youngest character. 'Thank you for bringing up 'the kid with the wagon,'' she said. 'That's the one character that doesn't exist in publishing, and is the one character that came from my mind. And I love Landon the character and Harper the actor infinitely.' Hodge went on to explain Landon's origin. 'I stared writing this during the COVID/shelter in place era, and there was a kid who lived on my block named Landon,' she shared. 'He would come over and poke his nose in — 'What are you doing, Miss 'Naka, what are you writing? What's this show, what's this show? Can you put me in this show? Put me in this show!'' And when all was said and done, there a young boy named Landon is, helping out one of Marvel's newest heroes. 'So I'm very glad that Landon lives' as a character, 'and Harper makes him sing,' Hodge smiled. Want scoop on any Marvel TV show? Shoot an email to InsideLine@ and your question may be answered via Matt's Inside Line! Best of TVLine Yellowjackets' Tawny Cypress Talks Episode 4's Tai/Van Reunion: 'We're All Worried About Taissa' Vampire Diaries Turns 10: How Real-Life Plot Twists Shaped Everything From the Love Triangle to the Final Death Vampire Diaries' Biggest Twists Revisited (and Explained)
