New Delhi: The future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not a distant dream but a rapidly approaching reality. “By when” is the multi-trillion dollar question. As billions of dollars of investments chase AI development, and nations seeing it as a strategic need and a potential aid for supremacy in the 21st century, its usage continues to evolve from niche applications to becoming an integral part of our daily lives, its potential to reshape industries, societies, and even human behaviour becomes clearer.
From the way we communicate to the devices we interact with, AI is already impacting experiential transformation. But this shift isn’t just about making life easier; it’s about expanding human potential, rethinking social structures, and embracing a future where machines and humans collaborate more seamlessly than ever before. The challenge, however, lies in ensuring that this evolution is beneficial, ethical, and sustainable for all. A tough act at that.
Of newer horizons
For all its fears, AI is no longer about replacing human tasks; it needs to be envisioned about unlocking human potential by expanding the boundaries of what we can achieve together. AI is rapidly advancing, and there is no option for the world but to embrace its polymathic potential. A polymath is someone who excels in multiple areas of knowledge or expertise, often using their diverse skills and insights to solve problems in creative ways. AI will not be limited to specific tasks or industries but will become integrated across diverse fields. This is not just a matter of convenience or efficiency; the near future will see the continuous flow of data from various sources—smartphones, watches, kitchen appliances, cars, hospital devices, factories, satellites, etc. Sporadic data, which has been the norm thus far, will no longer suffice. The current race to win is about who can harness the power of AI to transform decision-making processes. Devices will learn not only from their users but from one another, moving beyond what was once thought possible.
In this future, AI is not just about giving voice commands. The AI agents embedded in every device we use will act autonomously and learn from each other, creating a collective intelligence network. This will revolutionize how humans interact with technology. These agents will also unlearn obsolete patterns, allowing for constant improvement. The positive impact, for ignoring the perils for now, might be profound, enabling humans to accomplish far more than ever before. The boundaries of human potential, previously constrained by our own cognitive and physical limitations, will expand as we engage with these evolving tools.
As we integrate AI into the physical world, the advancements will be staggering. Consider humanoid robots with full internet connectivity, capable of processing and executing tasks in real time. These machines could eventually outnumber humans, becoming a significant presence in our daily lives within the next decade. Enhanced by AI, these robots will have human-like abilities—such as cooking meals from any cuisine with the precision of a professional chef. The ramifications extend beyond just convenience; entire sectors will be transformed, and industries like auditing will have to adapt to stress-test the implications of blockchain-enhanced AI for transactions.
Social connections, too, will transform in unexpected ways. What makes humans feel fulfilled and content? AI could become adept at recognising these patterns and delivering exactly what its user needs, whether that’s emotional connection, material satisfaction, or intellectual fulfillment. The relationship between humans and machines could evolve from one of utility to one of deep, personal enrichment, fundamentally altering how we perceive companionship and fulfillment.
With these shifts, social structures and economic frameworks will need to change. Concepts like universal basic income, considered far-fetched now in most parts of political and economic systems globally, could become practical and even necessary as automation takes over numerous jobs. With machines taking over mundane and repetitive tasks, human labour will need to pivot towards more creative, empathetic, and cognitively demanding work. This will require a fundamental re-evaluation of the work-life balance, shifting from the conventional model of productivity to one where fulfillment and well-being take precedence. Governments will need to step in with robust policies that ensure equity in wealth distribution, while also reimagining the value of human work in an AI-driven world. Beyond economics, the very purpose of human life may need to be redefined, from one focused on survival to one centered on personal growth, innovation, and meaningful social contributions. This societal shift will demand a rethinking of governance, equity, and human purpose.
In the near future, the power efficiency of computing devices will improve dramatically, contributing to the sustainability of AI-driven systems. Devices will consume less energy while performing more complex tasks, further embedding AI into our daily lives. This is precisely why investors push towards sustainable AI will become a commercial decision, and not just altruistic view.
Yet, with this immense power comes the need for caution. We must carefully consider the regulation of AI, setting guardrails to ensure that these technologies develop ethically and responsibly. The challenge is not just about how much to regulate but what to regulate, and with what kind of framework, and various nuances considered and consequent risks mitigated by design. The future of AI will be as much about governance as it is about innovation.
(Dr. Srinath Sridharan is a policy researcher and corporate Advisor and Shailesh Haribhakti is Independent Director on corporate boards.)
