Augmented Intelligence: Enhancing Human Potential
Augmented Intelligence: Enhancing Human Potential
Discover why Augmented Intelligence, not Artificial Intelligence, is the true essence of today’s AI technologies.
• AI today works alongside humans, enhancing rather than replacing human intelligence.
• Augmented Intelligence optimises decision-making, efficiency, and creativity across various sectors.
• Adopting Augmented Intelligence promotes collaboration, drives innovation, and ensures ethical AI deployment.
Artificial Intelligence is a misnomer. What we have is Augmented Intelligence. This insight, shared over lunch musings today with Stanley Johnson, highlights why this term more accurately describes our current technological capabilities.
Misunderstanding AI
When people think of AI, they often imagine sentient machines capable of independent thought. This notion fuels both fascination and fear—AI replacing humans in every possible domain. However, today’s AI is not autonomous or conscious. It’s not about replacing human intelligence but enhancing it.
And just like the Mac in ‘84, it’s the tool of the future.
But it’s fuckin’ lame—compared to you.
Because it’s missing soo much.
It doesn’t have your past or history or recollections.
It doesn’t have your story.
It ain’t got your love or passion or curiosity.
It will never have your powerful weirdness or goofyness or humor and it can’t PLAY!
It can’t make all those beautiful mistakes you make or see your flaws as powerful.
It can’t use your fears and vulnerability to move people.
It’s got no intuition or instincts.
AI’s cool, but it ain’t got shit compared to your creative heart and grit and soul.
Just keep making. Just keep playing. - James Victoria
Augmented Intelligence: A Symbiotic Relationship
Augmented Intelligence focuses on enhancing human capabilities. It’s a partnership between humans and machines, combining our creativity and decision-making skills with AI’s ability to process vast amounts of data at lightning speed. Augmented Intelligence is designed to enhance, not replace, human intelligence. “Intelligence amplification” dates back to 1956, derived from William Ross Ashby’s book, “Introduction to Cybernetics.” This concept is less threatening than “artificial intelligence,” which implies a replacement of human intelligence. It aims to improve human decision-making and actions in response to improved decisions.
Decision-Making: AI analyses massive datasets to provide insights that inform human decisions. For instance, AI sifts through millions of medical records to help doctors diagnose and treat patients more effectively. It doesn’t replace the doctor’s expertise; it augments it.
Efficiency: AI automates repetitive tasks, allowing humans to tackle more complex and creative work. Chatbots handle routine inquiries in customer service, leaving human agents to resolve more nuanced issues. This is not about job loss but about elevating the human role to one of problem-solving and innovation.
Personalisation: AI can personalise experiences at scale. AI tailors recommendations to individual consumer preferences in marketing, enhancing customer satisfaction. In education, AI platforms adapt learning materials to fit each student’s unique progress and needs, making learning more effective.
Creativity: AI can stimulate human creativity. Designers and artists use AI to explore new patterns and ideas. Engineers leverage AI-driven simulations to innovate and solve problems more efficiently.
Content Creation: Generative AI, such as OpenAI’s GPT-4, can create high-quality written content, assisting writers and marketers in quickly and efficiently generating articles, social media posts, and creative writing pieces. This technology augments human creativity by providing a foundation writers can build upon, refining and personalising the content.
Design: Generative AI tools like DALL-E and MidJourney enable designers to generate unique images and artwork based on textual descriptions. These AI systems assist designers in visualising concepts and experimenting with different styles, saving time and sparking new creative ideas that may not have been considered otherwise.
In his book Co-Intelligence, Ethan Mollick emphasises the transformative power of AI when used to amplify human capabilities rather than replace them.
argues that this synergy is crucial for leveraging AI’s full potential. This perspective aligns with our vision of Augmented Intelligence. AI’s role is to support and elevate human decision-making, creativity, and efficiency, ensuring that technology is a collaborator rather than a competitor in our professional and personal lives.Real-World Impact
Augmented Intelligence is already transforming industries. AI algorithms enhance risk assessment, fraud detection, and trading strategies in finance. In healthcare, AI aids in diagnostics, treatment planning, and drug discovery. Retail benefits from AI-driven inventory management and personalised shopping experiences.
A Human-Centric Approach
Reframing AI as Augmented Intelligence emphasises a human-centric approach. It acknowledges that while machines process information rapidly, human intuition, creativity, and empathy remain irreplaceable. This approach also aligns AI development with ethical considerations, ensuring technology augments human capabilities and addresses societal challenges.
Embracing Augmented Intelligence
Businesses must embrace Augmented Intelligence by investing in training and upskilling their workforce to leverage AI effectively. Prioritising ethical AI deployment ensures technology enhances human capabilities and addresses societal needs. This collaborative approach between humans and machines will drive innovation and create value.
Where to next?
The term “Artificial Intelligence” fails to capture the true nature of our current technologies. By embracing Augmented Intelligence, we can better appreciate the symbiotic relationship between humans and machines. This perspective alleviates fears of obsolescence and highlights the potential of AI to enhance human capabilities and drive progress. Let’s champion Augmented Intelligence as the cornerstone of a future where technology and humanity thrive together.
Josh Rowe is a technology executive with over 25 years of experience in digital transformation and AI/ML. He led REALas from startup to acquisition by ANZ and currently delivers transformative AI solutions as a Principal Consultant at Time Under Tension. Josh specialises in AI-driven solutions that enhance business processes and customer experiences.
