Category Archives: Artificial Super Intelligence

Video may have killed the radio star, but it is artificial intelligence that some predict will soon do away with the postie, the web designer, and even the brain surgeon.

With the rise of robots automating roles in manufacturing, and generative AI (algorithms, such as ChatGPT, that can create new content) threatening to replace everyone from customer service assistants to journalists, is any job safe?

A report published by Goldman Sachs last month warned that roughly two-thirds of posts are exposed to some degree of AI automation and the tech could ultimately substitute up to a quarter of current work.

More than half a million industrial robots were installed around the world in 2021, according to the International Federation of Robotics a 75 per cent increase in the annual rate over five years. In total, there are now almost 3.5 million of them.

60 per cent of 10,000 people surveyed for PwCs Workforce of the Future report think few people will have stable, long-term employment in the future. And in the book Facing Our Futures, published in February, the futurist Nikolas Badminton forecasts that every job will be automated within the next 120 years translators by 2024, retail workers by 2031, bestselling authors by 2049 and surgeons by 2053.

But not everyone expects the human employee to become extinct. I really dont think all our jobs are going to be replaced, says Abigail Marks, professor of the future of work at Newcastle University. Some jobs will change, there will be some new jobs. I think its going to be more about refinement.

Richard Watson, futurist-in-residence at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School, puts the probability at close to zero. Its borderline hysteria at the moment, he says. If you look back at the past 50 or 100 years, very, very few jobs have been fully eliminated.

Anything involving data entry or repetitive, pattern-based tasks is likely to be most at risk. People who drive forklift trucks in warehouses really ought to retrain for another career, says Watson.

But unlike previous revolutions that only affected jobs at the lower end of the salary scale such as lamplighters and switchboard operators the professional classes will be in the crosshairs of the machines this time around.

Bookkeepers and database managers may be the first to fall, while what was once seen as a well-remunerated job of the future, the software designer, could be edged out by self-writing computer programs.

This may all fill you with dread, but the majority of us are optimistic about the future, according to the PwC research. 73 per cent described themselves as either excited or confident about the new world of work, as it is likely to affect them, with 18 per cent worried, and 8 per simply uninterested.

Research by the McKinsey Global Institute suggests that all workers will need skills that help them fulfil three criteria: the ability to add value beyond what can be done by automated systems; to operate in a digital environment; and to continually adapt to new ways of working and new occupations.

Watson thinks workers such as plumbers who do very manual work thats slightly different every single time will be protected, while probably the safest job on the planet, pretty much, is a hairdresser. I know theres a hairdressing robot, but its about the chat as much as the haircut. The other thing that I think is very safe indeed is management. Managing people is something that machines arent terribly good at and I dont think they ever will be. You need to be human to deal with humans.

Marks can also offer reassurance to carers, nurses, teachers, tax collectors and police officers because these are the foundations of a civilised society. And she predicts climate change will see us prize more environmentally based jobs, so theres going to be much more of a focus on countryside management, flood management and ecosystem development. She adds: Epidemiology is going to be a bigger thing. The pandemic is not going to be a one-off event.

Watson says it is important not to overlook the fundamental human needs that global warming is likely to put into sharper focus. Water and air are the two most precious resources weve got. We might have water speculators or water traders in the future. If theres a global price for a barrel of water, they could be extremely well-paid.

He also suggests there could be vacancies for longevity coaches (who can help an ageing population focus on improving their healthspan, not just their lifespan), reality counsellors (to support younger people so used to living in a computer-generated universe that they struggle with non-virtual beings), human/machine relationship coaches (teaching older generations how to relate to their robots), data detectives (finding errors and biases in code and analysing black boxes when things go terribly wrong) and pet geneticists (aiding you to clone your cat or order a new puppy with blue fur).

And there may be a human version of this as well. What if in the future I want Spock ears can we do that without doing surgery for my unborn children? Its not impossible. And if we did ever get to some kind of super-intelligence, where robots started to be conscious which I think is so unlikely you can imagine a robot rights lawyer, arguing for the rights of machines.

What will be the highest-paid roles? I think people who are dealing with very large sums of money will always be paid large sums of money, says Watson. The same is true of high-end coders and lawyers, even if paralegals are going to be replaced by algorithms.

Funnily enough, he adds, I think philosophy is an emerging job. I think were going to see more philosophers employed in very large companies and paid lots of money because a lot of the new tech has ethical questions attached to it, particularly AI and genomics.

And among the maths, science and engineering, there could be space for artists to thrive, he predicts. It is probably a ludicrous thought and will never happen, but Id love to think that there will be money for the people who can articulate the human condition in the face of all this changing technology so, incredibly good writers, painters and animators. And then there will be the metaverse architects.

In this brave new world, more power and money will be eaten up by the tech giants who own the algorithms that control almost every aspect of our lives. For Professor David Spencer, expert on labour economics at Leeds University Business School and author of Making Light Work: An End to Toil in the Twenty-First Century, this will make how we structure society and business even more crucial.

Trading

Water speculators or water traders could emerge as resources become scarce.

Health

Longevity coaches will help an ageing population to focus on improving their healthspan, not just their lifespan.

Mental health

Reality counsellors, who might support younger people so used to living in a computer-generated universe that they struggle with non-virtual beings.

Human/machine

Relationship coaches will teach older generations how to relate to their robots.

Technology

Data detectives will find errors and biases in code and analyse black boxes when things go wrong.

Pet geneticists

They will aid you to clone your cat or order a new puppy with blue fur.

AI philosophers

They will teach companies how to navigate the moral conundrums thrown up by technology developing at warp speed.

Metaverse architects

Theyll build our new virtual environments.

The goal should be to ensure that technology lightens work, in terms of hours and direct toil, he says, but this will require that technology is operated under conditions where workers have more of a say over its design and use.

Those who can own technology or have a direct stake in its development are likely to benefit most. Those without any ownership stakes are likely to lose out. This is why we need to talk more about ensuring that its rewards are equally spread. Wage growth for all will depend on workers collectively gaining more bargaining power and this will depend on creating an economy that is more equal and democratic in nature.

Watson thinks politicians need to catch up fast. Big tech should be regulated like any other business. If youve created an algorithm or a line of robots that is making loads of money, tax the algorithm, tax the robots, without a shadow of a doubt.

For employees stressed about the imminent disintegration of their careers, Marks argues that the responsibility lies elsewhere. I dont think the onus should necessarily be on individuals it should be on organisations and on educational establishments to ensure that people are prepared and future-proofed, and on government to make wise predictions and allocate resources where needed.

Watson points out that we need to upgrade an education system that is still teaching children precisely the things that computers are inherently terribly good at things that are based on perfect memory and recall and logic.

But he believes it would also be healthy if everybody did actively ponder on their future, and refine their skills accordingly. I think employers are really into people that have a level of creativity and particularly curiosity these days but I think also empathy, being a good person, having a personality. We dont teach that at school.

The advent of AI has led many including those in Green Party to advocate for a universal basic income, a stipend given by the state to every citizen, regardless of their output. But Watson is not convinced that will be necessary or helpful.

All of this technology is supposed to be creating this leisure society, he says. Rather weirdly, it seems to make us busier, and its really unclear as to why thats happened. I think, fundamentally, we like to be busy, we feel useful, it stops us thinking about the human condition. So Im not sure were going to accept doing next to nothing.

The other thing is, I think it would be very bad for society. Work is really quite critical to peoples wellbeing. Theres a lot of rich people without jobs, and theyre not happy. Work is really important to people in terms of socialisation and meaning and purpose and self-image.

So in a lot of instances, governments should not be allowing technology to take over certain professions or at least they shouldnt be completely eliminated, because that wouldnt be good for a healthy society.

The machines may be on the march, but dont put your feet up just yet.

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The jobs that will disappear by 2040, and the ones that will survive - inews

NAVY

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded a $313,434,366 modification (P00046) to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N0001918D0001). This modification increases the ceiling to provide non-recurring engineering, system engineering program management, and additional aircraft inductions in support of extending the service life for up to 25 F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets from 6,000 flight hours to 10,000 flight hours and incorporating Block III avionics capabilities. Work will be performed in San Antonio, Texas (95%); and St. Louis, Missouri (5%), and is expected to be completed in February 2025. No funds are being obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Raytheon Missiles & Defense, Tewksbury, Massachusetts, is awarded a $308,456,187 cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and cost-only modification to previously awarded contract N00024-22-C-5522 for an option exercise of Combat System engineering, miscellaneous material, and travel supporting Combat System installation, integration, development, testing, correction, maintenance, and modernization of Zumwalt-class mission systems and mission system equipment. Work will be performed in Tewksbury, Massachusetts (37%); Portsmouth, Rhode Island (37%); San Diego, California (22%); Nashua, New Hampshire (2%); Pascagoula, Mississippi (1%); and Fort Wayne, Indiana (1%), and is expected to be completed by April 2024. Fiscal 2023 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $17,806,180 (44%); fiscal 2023 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $12,311,437 (30%); fiscal 2022 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $5,613,206 (14%); fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,452,543 (9%); and fiscal 2023 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,040,537 (3%) will be obligated at time of award, and $17,806,180 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. In accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), contract N00024-22-C-5522 for Zumwalt Combat System activation, sustainment, and modernization was not competitively awarded. Raytheon Missiles & Defense is the only responsible source, and no other supplies or services could fulfill the Navys requirement. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Black Micro Corp., Barrigada, Guam, is awarded a $221,690,757 firm-fixed-price contract for construction at Tinian International Airport, Tinian, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The work to be performed provides for the construction of a cargo pad with taxiway extension, fuel tanks with receipt pipeline and hydrant system, airfield development Phase I roads, and a maintenance support facility, under the Asia Pacific Stability Initiative. Work will be performed in CNMI, and is expected to be completed by October 2026. Fiscal 2019 military construction (MILCON) (Air Force) funds in the amount of $86,470,507 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Fiscal 2020 MILCON (Air Force) funds in the amount of $12,663,908 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Fiscal 2023 MILCON (Air Force) funds in the amount of $82,503,810 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Fiscal 2020 MILCON (Air Force) in the amount of $20,163,124, and fiscal 2024 MILCON (Air Force) in the amount $19,889,408, will complete the total contract obligation amount for construction of the fuel tanks with receipt pipeline and hydrant system. The contract also includes one option item, construction of the maintenance support facility, that is being exercised at time of award, and is included in the fiscal 2019 MILCON (Air Force) funds of $86,470,507. The contract also contains three unexercised options, which if exercised, would increase cumulative contract value to $225,667,367. This contract was competitively procured via the Sam.gov website, with one proposal received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Pacific, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62742-23-C-1314).

Bruker Detection Corp., Billerica, Massachusetts, was awarded a $37,572,328 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for a five-year ordering period to procure Improved Point Detection System-Lifecycle Replacement (IPDS-LR), IPDS-LR Heater/condensation kits, on board repair kits, and spare parts as needed for recouped systems to support the Naval Fleet. Work will be performed in Billerica, Massachusetts. This requirement will be funded on as needed basis over the five-year ordering period, and will continue through April 2028. Fiscal 2023 New Ship Construction funds in the amount of $23,660 will obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This action was awarded on a sole source basis under 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1 Only one responsible source or a limited number of responsible sources and no other suppliers will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division, Indian Head, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0017423D0007). (Awarded April 18, 2023)

Merrick-RS&H JV LLP, Greenwood Village, Colorado, is awarded a $12,841,950 firm-fixed-price task order (N6945023F0421) for professional architectural and engineering services at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. The work to be performed provides for finalization of design documentation for bidding and construction, and construction administrative services in support of a new Joint Interagency Task Force-South Command and Control headquarters facility. Work will be performed in Key West, Florida, and is expected to be completed by December 2024. The maximum dollar value, including the base period and option is $12,814,950. Fiscal 2023 military construction, (Navy) design funds in the amount of $12,814,950 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (N69450-21-D-0003).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

SOPAKCO Inc.,* Mullins, South Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $38,427,000 fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the first strike ration. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a three-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is April 18, 2026. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2023 through 2026 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE3S1-23-D-Z156).

UPDATE: Signature Flight Support, Houston, Texas (SPE607-23-D-0054, $62,373,362), has been added as an awardee to the multiple award contract for fuel support at Ellington Airport, Texas, issued against solicitation SPE607-23-R-0202 and awarded March 6, 2023.

WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES

Jaria LLC, Manassas, Virginia, is awarded a task order (P00005) valued at $16,568,920 on a firm-fixed-price contract (HQ0034-22-F-0131) to provide business administrative management and consulting services to the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). The contractor will support DIU technology advancement efforts in the following areas: artificial intelligence, human systems, autonomy, cyber, advanced energy and materials, information technology, and space. The contractor will provide executive administration, program management, network support, security operations, business development, commercial executive support, and engineering services support. The work will be performed at the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, and at satellite DIU offices in Mountain View, California; Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Austin, Texas. The estimated contract completion date is April 18, 2024. Fiscal 2023 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,924,829; and fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $4,773,806 are being obligated at the time of award, for a total of $7,698,635. The cumulative total of the contract is $27,523.217. The total value of the contract if all options are exercised is $62,752,865. Washington Headquarters Services, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity.

ARMY

JMJR Companies LLC,* Glens Falls, New York, was awarded an $11,241,000 firm-fixed-price contract for building demolition, foundation removal and hazardous material removal. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work will be performed in Watervliet, New York, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 10, 2024. Fiscal 2022 military construction, Army funds in the amount of $11,241,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York, New York, is the contracting activity (W912DS-22-C-0018).

Torch Technologies Inc.,* Huntsville, Alabama, was awarded a $7,521,440 modification (P00101) to contract W31P4Q-21-F-0038 for engineering services for virtual simulators. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of April 19, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. (Awarded April 18, 2023)

*Small business

Excerpt from:

> U.S - Department of Defense

Updated: Apr 15 2023 5:30PM

FGN19 UN-KAMBOJ-AI**** Safeguards needed to ensure AI systems are not misused or guided by biases: Amb KambojUnited Nations, Apr 15 (PTI) Artificial Intelligence, if harnessed properly, can generate enormous prosperity and opportunity, India has said, underscoring the need to ensure AI systems are not misused and that advancement of digital super intelligence must be symbiotic with humanity.By Yoshita Singh ****.

FGN3 US-DIGITAL INFRA-SITHARAMAN**** Digital Public Infrastructure inclusive by design, fast paces development process: Sitharaman Washington: Development and leveraging of digital public infrastructure, which is inclusive by design, can help countries fast pace their development processes and deliver huge benefits, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said.By Lalit K Jha **** FGN14 US-CLIMATE CHANGE-LD PMPM Modi calls for mass movement in global fight against climate changeWashington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that an idea becomes a mass movement when it moves from "discussion tables to dinner tables" as he called for people's participation and collective efforts in combating climate change. By Lalit K Jha.

FGN11 SAFRICA-GUPTAS**** Gupta brothers are still South African citizens: Home Affairs Minister MotsoalediJohannesburg: The South African government has said that fugitive Indian-origin businessmen Rajesh and Atul Gupta are still its citizens using the country's passports, amid reports that they have acquired citizenship of Vanuatu, an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean. By Fakir Hassen ****.

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