- MIT study suggests AI is unlikely to replace human vision in certain jobs due to cost-effectiveness.
- Study examines feasibility of replacing human vision with computer vision technology in tasks like ingredient inspection in bakeries.
- While AI costs may decrease over time, study concludes that significant impact on jobs relying on visual processing will take time and should not be dismissed entirely.
Additional Coverage:
- This MIT study says AI won’t take my job. But it doesn’t make me feel too sure that AI won’t take my job. (businessinsider.com)
A recent study by MIT suggests that AI is unlikely to take over certain jobs, at least for now. The focus of the study was on visual processing, and it concluded that it is more cost-effective to use humans than AI in these instances. However, despite the findings, there is still reason to be cautious. AI may not pose an immediate threat, but it should not be dismissed entirely.
The study specifically examined jobs where AI could be used to replace human vision through computer vision technology. For example, in a small bakery, a portion of the baker’s job involves visually inspecting the ingredients to ensure they are not spoiled. The study considered whether it would be feasible for the bakery to invest in expensive computer vision software for this task. The conclusion was that it would not make financial sense for most businesses.
The researchers surveyed workers to determine the tasks that could potentially be automated through computer vision. They then evaluated the cost-effectiveness of such automation. The study found that, for the majority of companies, replacing workers with AI for visual detection would not be a smart investment. It stated that even for larger companies like Walmart, automating vision tasks would not be cost-effective, at least in the current cost structure.
While the paper acknowledges that the costs of AI may decrease over time, the authors believe that the decline will not be as rapid as some anticipate. Therefore, it would take a considerable amount of time for AI to significantly impact jobs that rely on visual processing.
It’s important to note that this study only focuses on jobs that can be replaced by computer vision, which is a specific aspect of AI. So, while it may not be a concern for jobs like article writing, there are other areas where caution is warranted. Ultimately, the impact of AI on different industries and job sectors cannot be fully determined based on this study alone.