AI: a tool for the world's hunger

Artificial intelligence (AI) is both fascinating and frightening for the man in the street and professionals alike. But we may be seeing one of those great revolutions that transform society. Artificial intelligence is a massive, global innovation that is developing in leaps and bounds and can now free itself from human control. With the rise of generative AI, both its potential and impact can be seen each day as it infiltrates every sector of the economy in every country, with regulatory frameworks that are still fragmented in various major regions of the world.

Artificial intelligence seems to presage the worst and the best. To put it another way, is AI a machine that heralds the advent of pure technology, or is it an extension of the human hand that enhances its potential? In this issue of Glimpse, we see how, in the field, AI is demonstrating its potential for optimising processes within companies and already helping employees in their day-to-day tasks and decisions, giving credence to the advocates of transhumanism. Beyond our fears, this is now AI’s age of learning, and sometimes involves the need to face up to the famous “unknown unknowns”.

In economic terms, artificial intelligence is disrupting business models by substituting more and more capital for labour. Studies are now looking at the impact on productivity and the growth of sectors and GDP, which is generating stronger global competition. As well as transforming skills, professions and value chains, AI is becoming an additive to boost economic growth: by 2035, AI could increase this growth by a weighted average of 1.7% in 16 major industries.

As well as all this, we are questioning our relationship with technology and what we recognise as intelligence in terms of guiding the future of our contemporary societies. At this stage, should we maintain a critical stance, like Lewis Mumford, or explore the transhumanism popularised by Nick Bostrom? In any case, artificial intelligence is a “total social fact” that cannot be understood without taking an anthropological attitude to the position and place of those who express themselves. A considerable amount of energy and sensibility is needed to shape a better world, “given tools” by artificial intelligence.

Pascale Viala
Vice-Dean and Corporate Office Director
SKEMA Business School

Fabien Seraidarian
Director of Development and the Global Executive MBA
SKEMA Business School