The Malaysian Insight

IN 15 years, artificial intelligence (AI) will take over 40% of today’s jobs, the International Strategy Institute (ISI) said.

Its chairman, Cheah Chyuan Yong, said jobs that would “disappear” include technical professions like accountancy, those in the legal profession, and even engineering, as these jobs could be taken over by AI.

 “Once this happens, we will have a serious problem socially and economically if we are not ready,” he said at the Penang International Business and Investment Summit organised by ISI today.

ISI is a think tank that specialises on business in Asia.

In his speech at the opening of the summit, Cheah pointed out that the 10.8% youth unemployment rate could be made worse with the advancement of AI.

Cheah said he could not predict what jobs in the future would be like, but they would likely be those involved in improving AI technology.

But he added that jobs in the field of humanities, sociology and anthropology would remain.

“Once AI becomes dominant in our daily lives, it becomes dangerous without a strong moral compass. We will still have an advantage in humanities, which will regulate AI behaviour.

“Right now, our young people are not sufficiently trained. They need to be encouraged and supported to learn new technologies and the humanities. This will take time,” Cheah said.

During a session at the summit this morning, Flextronic Technology senior global information technology leader and operations executive Lee See Nee said some jobs have already been taken over by AI technology.

He said driverless vehicles, which already exist, would lead to bus drivers losing their jobs.

Lee said education institutions must allow people to retool themselves to meet the new demands of the market.

“We cannot just teach using textbooks. And we (adults) will have to go back to school and keep learning,” he said. – February 26, 2019.