NOTE: This post is a faithful translation from the Portuguese original article written by me and published on this date by The Next Big Idea ❤ Check out the original !

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way we perform personal and professional tasks, acting as an amplifier of the human element. Very pragmatically, AI is, first and foremost, a tool for individual empowerment and performance multiplication.

And the best part? This evolution is supported by the technologies that preceded it. We can apply it through the same devices we have always used to interact with our surroundings, such as our mobile phones, computers, and in some cases, other everyday devices. This performance multiplication can take different forms, some of which are familiar, as the underlying technology used in them has only changed in form:

• Our management of time, calendar, and tasks;

• Support in the creation and management of content, emails, and messages, saving hours of work and scheduling tasks autonomously;

• Transforming the way we search for information through online search engines to make customized queries in different Generative AI interfaces;

• How we aggregate this information into consolidated knowledge, or for study/archive and later use of it.

In the future, all professions will have a semi-technical component, connecting to these systems. In this sense, much has been said about concepts like "up-skilling" and "re-skilling," which are essentially the acquisition and development of skills more adapted to the current digital transformation landscape. New professions will also emerge as a result of new ways of dealing with information: if various processes that previously took days can now be completed in hours, the resulting free time can be dedicated to transforming these contents to another level, whether they are productive, creative, or merely transactional. The strategic, imaginative, and administrative capacity of the Human Being thus becomes one of the main "soft skills" that will dictate future success.

But the rapid evolution of these tools has been so vertiginous that even experts have difficulty keeping up. This pace has caused instability not just technically, but also humanly and legally. Companies and leaders face challenges in keeping up with the implications and responsibilities that accompany such progress. At the macro level, global regulatory institutions, notably in Europe, America, and China, seek rules that indeed mitigate risks without harming innovation compared to their peers. At the corporate level, recent events show that even market giants do not have their positions consolidated. Faced with internal instabilities, an entire emerging market can be shaken, with significant financial impact in a very short time. The entire area is still in a maturation phase.

In this scenario, it is crucial not to get lost in the noise and speculation. We should, therefore, reflect on the practical value these tools can represent for each of us, individual or company. Not just in technological terms, but in their effective and ethical application, shifting the focus from fascination with technology to understanding how it can enhance our value creation.

It is important to underline that the human element is not removed from the equation by the addition of AI tools. On the contrary, AI provides valuable contributions. However, it is up to us to interpret them, integrate them into personal, professional, ethical, and cultural contexts. Its effectiveness and specific uses depend on our ability to direct it, as everything it can produce depends on the content we previously used to train it, which means it will always give us results based on what has been seen in the past.

AI is democratizing access to advanced outcomes. The creation of custom software, data acquisition and processing, the Internet of Things (IoT), are elements that are increasingly accessible, unlocking capabilities previously limited to a few. Industrial IoT is increasingly democratized, with platforms available and ready to fulfill the promises of Industry 4.0. This is a crucial moment to define how we use these technologies: not just to evolve businesses, but to promote a broad social advancement. The real revolution is not in the technology itself, but in the creativity of how we use it to create better systems around us. With different solutions emerging as intermediaries of this potential, their exploration becomes a competitive skill.

As AI continues to evolve, it challenges us to rethink our approach to work, learning, and creativity. Not only are we adopting new tools, we are developing new ways of thinking and collaborating. Digital transformation is now within anyone's reach, dependent on the vision and creativity that can be instilled in its base. On a personal and organizational level, how will you multiply your performance, to create a positive impact in your environment? The answer to this question becomes central in our daily lives, because change, that is happening as you read this article.

NOTE: This post is a faithful translation from the Portuguese original article written by me and published on this date by Forbes PT ❤ Check out the original !

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a driving force in global technological advancement and has brought undeniable benefits. However, as with all disruptive technology, the rapid evolution of AI presents a series of ethical, legal, and socioeconomic challenges. The European Union (EU), recognizing the growing relevance and importance of adequately regulating AI, has been continuously working on the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) – a proposal that aims to classify AI systems based on risk and establish differentiated requirements for their development and use. This legislation, the first of its kind on a global scale, is under review, with completion expected by the end of 2023. A notable development occurred in June 2023. The European Parliament adopted amendments and proposed harmonized rules on AI, among which the prohibition of its use in biometric surveillance and the requirement for generative AI systems to mark content they generate stand out. Additionally, the proposal prohibits emotion recognition and predictive policing systems, establishing specific regimes for general-purpose AI and fundamental models. These updates signal the EU's commitment to formulating robust regulation for AI.

Despite these significant advances, primary challenges still remain. Firstly, a clear definition of the concept of AI, regulating different formats and differentiating it from automation. Additionally, the refinement of risk categories in response to security, privacy, and fundamental rights challenges, and specialized analysis of use cases by application area. But above all, proper regulation should not be seen as static but as an opportunity to create a safe and trustworthy environment by establishing ethical standards for the development and use of technology. The balance between protecting citizens and stimulating innovation must be maintained, and for this, international cooperation and sharing of best practices are essential.

And when it comes to accountability? A crucial point in AI regulation involves establishing appropriate responsibility in the event of damages or negative consequences. This involves clearly defining who is responsible – the manufacturer, the supplier, the operator, or all involved – and developing an effective accountability system. Moreover, the traceability of AI systems must be ensured, allowing for the identification of errors and the attribution of due responsibility.

Above all, it is vital to remember that protecting individual rights and ensuring equity are fundamental pillars in AI regulation, and legislation should address algorithmic bias, discrimination, and data privacy. For all this to occur in a balanced and fair environment, establishing a robust supervisory body with an appropriate structure is essential.

AI can reach its true potential and contribute significantly to progress, but its regulation must be a dynamic and adaptable process. It is crucial that there is dialogue among stakeholders, including companies, governments, civil society, and AI experts, to ensure that regulations are effective, proportional, and suitable for technological advancements and social needs.

NOTE: This post is a faithful translation from the Portuguese original interview I gave and was published on this date by Notícias ao Minuto, part of a wider piece published in LUSA ❤ Check out the original !

“In an interview with LUSA, Paulo Mota emphasizes that "the regulation of technologies based on artificial intelligence is an extremely important topic. This importance is not only because the pace of their development far exceeds the timely capacity for legislation, but also because it is a complex issue with extensive socioeconomic ramifications."

Furthermore, he stresses that "regulation is necessary to prevent misuse and should be carefully considered, as it encompasses both opportunities and risks." Mota, co-founder of Coreflux, which has two "major projects" in artificial intelligence, Anselmo and Graham Bell, digital workers, makes this point clear.

Regarding the proposed European legislation for AI - the 'Artificial Intelligence Act' - he says it "bears the immense responsibility of defining concepts, classifying risks, monitoring applications, and regulating uses of AI that could unintentionally or intentionally pose unacceptable risks."

Now, it is important to "highlight 'uses of AI,' because that should always be the perspective to adopt," meaning "to consider and evaluate specific cases, as opposed to trying to regulate the technology itself in a generalized and indiscriminate manner," he argues.

"Such an approach could risk slowing down European innovation capacity and creating external dependencies, motivating the potential exodus of technology companies to more permissive markets. As seen in cases like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the European example is often adopted as a 'standard' in various countries, leading by example," the Coreflux co-founder points out.

Moreover, "it is important at this level to involve the entire ecosystem: companies and experts from various fields and sectors, dialoguing in harmony with legislators, politicians, and academic experts," because only in this way can it be ensured that "on one hand, the technology is understood before being judged, and on the other, competitiveness against other markets is maintained without actual harm to the citizens of the Union (and beyond its borders)."

On concerns related to solutions like ChatGPT, generative AI (capable of creating without human input, in a simplified description), Paulo Mota believes that "society's reaction to these technologies is understandable, as people are beginning to realize the potential opportunities and risks."

Therefore, "given the pace of development in industrial automation and recent advancements in AI, which has been unprecedented, a clarifying response from regulatory bodies, the media, and companies in this sector is important."

The co-founder of the Portuguese tech company recalls that in the past, "we have witnessed multiple historical turning points, such as the invention of the automobile or the development of industrial machines," learning that "progress cannot be reversed and inevitably requires adaptation."

The ways of working will change, "delegating repetitive and time-consuming tasks to autonomous tools, but in return, it aims to free people for creative, decision-making, and coordination components, or for pursuits of personal fulfillment," he adds.

Therefore, "we can and should invest in equipping people with digital skills to use these new tools and, thus, accelerate new directions and high-productivity outcomes," he continues, adding that new professions associated with AI will emerge, giving the example of the recent 'prompt engineer,' "responsible for refining human-machine interfaces, conducting research, and optimizing solutions through AI tools."

However, as automated as the process may be, "the human element should continue to guide strategic and directional components" and "it is still early to clearly understand what other novelties may emerge and what new areas may be enhanced from this base," he considers.

It is certain, he says, that AI, "if well-employed, can enhance" performance and "democratize access to personal capabilities previously restricted to highly specialized professionals."

In essence, technology must be seen for what it is, "a tool," he concludes.

He also believes that "mechanisms like the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), in its Digital Transition aspect and potential support for Industry 4.0 and New Technologies, should reinforce the development of digital skills at all stages of education, entry into the job market, and in the reconversion of skills."

This is because adapting the education system to this new reality "is fundamental to keep up with ongoing changes," and companies that develop activity "in these sectors should actively participate in social and regulatory discussions," he concludes.”

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