Drones, Robots, AI - Oh My!

Technology That May Impact Our Future

Larry Magid Tech Analyst, CBS News & Columnist, San Jose Mercury & Forbes.com

An overview of current technology and future implications.

CORTANA, ALEXA, OK, GOOGLE: NOW

Magid discussed different technologies including voice recognition - which has become more conversational than responsive.

“Who is my wife”

“You told me your wife’s name is Patti”

*cue laughter*

“When was I born or when is my birthday”

“I just assume that every day is your birthday”

*cue laughter*

“How do say “Welcome to Internet Librarian” in Spanish

*says the statement in Spanish

This reflects real-time translation - will this make reference easier?

Voice Recognition can get to the point where it knows so much about the user and their life that they be a “friend” in which it can advise you on “recommendations.”

FACIAL RECOGNITION

A common tool in personalize technology and even now used law enforcement (Half of the adult population is in facial databases).

AI

A long way to go - but it’s moving quickly. After we reach a certain threshold AI will converge onto Self-Teaching Machines. Robotic news anchor and AI journalist have already been implemented - SO knowledge workers (like librarians) may be jeopardized.  Does this scare anyone?

Magid stated that AI would not replace librarians but AUGMENT the experience for convenience (both for the patrons and staff).

Machines as good as they are - They are not Humans.

ROBOTICS

Cheap Energy.

Already happening in China.

Far fewer jobs and far less paying jobs

DRONES

Other that the military implications and disregarding privacy issues - Drones has been used for positive impactful situations such as Medical Supplies Delivery or Amazon Air Or even impractical ways...

TROLLING: DEPRESSION & SUICIDE AMONG TEENS

Harassment Online is becoming ever present and building - even with political implications of this trend. It is important to keep this in mind as we program and have children and families visiting in the library.

WHAT IS OUR ROLE? Should the library offer a class or program or even a safe space? How can we as a library deal with this issue? Can we or even able to? Allowed for anonymity?

As human beings, we are capable of empathy and other emotions that AI and robotics are incapable of doing.

CONCLUSION

Be a leader with the emerging and current technology as it may be used with our community. Outreach - to get community and patrons opinions not only in person but through social media and websites. I am very excited about today’s session because most of them are on the topic of future trends and emerging technology! So this was a great beginning session that touched upon  the surface of emerging tech trends and services.