Artificial intelligence represents extraordinary possibilities. In 2022, a report published by the Standford Intitute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) highlighted the exponential progress of this innovative technology, a development at a great "V" speed.
The report underlined that the capacity of artificial intelligence to establish a logical reasoning similar to the natural language of a human being reached a similar performance of 93%, that the implementation of correction systems made it possible to avoid various biases in particular as regards facial recognition or the filtering of curriculum vitae at the time of a hiring process, not to mention the huge investments of the private and public sector which do not cease multiplying.
However, in the last few weeks, we have witnessed an unhealthy use of this technology that made our dead people talk. However, what caught my attention the most was the position taken by several leaders and experts calling for a pause in the development of AI.
Yoshua Bengio, a Canadian pioneer in AI research and development, expressed his concerns at a virtual press conference in Montreal: "I don't think that society is ready to face this power, the potential to manipulate populations, for example, which could endanger democracies.
"We must therefore take the time to slow down this commercial race that is underway, he added, calling for a discussion of these issues at the global level, "as we have done for energy and nuclear weapons.” [1]
Is a pause warranted?
It would be tempting to elaborate on the various oppositions to the development of this technology following this cry of alarm expressed by those who have been working on it for many years. However, this approach would not allow us to take the necessary step back to better circumscribe the issue.
Is this request for a pause justified? Like many others, I do not have the expertise to debate on a technical or scientific level, but this request is useful so that we can be prudent and take a moment to reflect.
SME: A paradigm shift?
The surprising advances are such that they shake things up. Also, last March, the Quebec Minister of Education rightly mentioned that "(...) The arrival of applications such as ChatGPT is disruptive and raises many questions. We will see more and more of this type of technology emerge in the academic landscape and we must be vigilant." [2]
What will this mean for our SMEs? First, AI is not going to disappear, on the contrary. The question that remains is how it will reshape the face of our businesses. Will it have an impact that will amplify telecommuting when many want employees, professionals, etc. to return to our establishments to avoid negative consequences in our downtown areas?
Will AI change the internal and relational dynamics between employees within our companies or any other type of organization when AI will, for example, make a professional more autonomous from his or her home, whereas not so long ago, we were praising coworking or, more recently, the "operated office."[3]
The issue: will the human, at the heart of our businesses, be the object or the subject in relation to AI?
This is the question where we, as entrepreneurs, are the key people who will determine both the positive and negative impacts that AI will generate.
If the question seems philosophical, even abstract, it is nonetheless embodied in what is and will be the daily life of our SMEs. I dare to bet that we will make the choice that the human person (worker, entrepreneur, businesswoman) remains the one who exercises control in the realization of a project and not the one who becomes accessory to the AI in the consecration of this same project. If this is our option, we will reap the best of the current and future benefits of AI.
However, in many respects, what we are hearing is that we will see a widespread deployment of AI in the enterprise for reasons that are performance and operational efficiency. Of course, we cannot hide the fact that in a context of globalized competition, companies that are not part of this strong trend generated by AI will find it difficult to maintain their competitiveness in an economic context that will require excessively large investments for its implementation. These investments are and will be necessary to resist this transition wave that has already started.
What strategic choice will we make? Adapt AI to the nature of our companies or the opposite?
Conclusion
The release of the co-signatories, including Yoshua Bengio, is significant. While many believe that there is still a long way to go before an AI that would be comparable to human intelligence, the rapid advances of the last few years show us that what was unthinkable can become reality. While it is extraordinary for our SMEs, even start-ups, it is important to position ourselves on how our companies will integrate this technology that surprises us with its potential.
In short, the real decision lies in our hands. Will AI be for the good of our organization for the benefit of the people in it, or will we see our companies adapt to the demands that the implementation of AI may entail?
Whatever we choose, AI is here to stay. It is up to us to determine the benefits we want, both for the good of the people who make up our companies and for their economic dynamism.
"(...) But is this a revolt? - No, Sire, it is a revolution.”[4]
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Michel Paradis Adm.A., Méd.Acc., (IMAQ, B.Sc., LL.B.)
Michel Paradis is a strategic consultant and mediator in civil and commercial matters at OECONOMIA. He has previously held various positions in economic development as well as policy director in the offices of the Minister of Economic Development of Canada, Transport and Infrastructure of Canada and Canadian Intergovernmental Affairs. Until recently, he was an advisor to the office of the Office of Minister responsible for the Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat (Quebec) and, more recently, a special advisor to the Office of the Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks (Quebec).
[1]https://www.lesaffaires.com/techno/internet/elon-musk-et-des-centaines-dexperts-reclament-une-pause-dans-lia/640113 [2]https://www.newswire.ca/fr/news-releases/intelligence-artificielle-le-gouvernement-du-quebec-va-reunir-les-acteurs-de-l-enseignement-superieur-pour-discuter-de-l-utilisation-des-outils-issus-de-l-intelligence-artificielle-816029782.html [3] The “operated office” is a turnkey workspace. An office with private, independent spaces, inspired by coworking. But the "operated office" also offers many advantages and practical services for the company. By renting an operated office, she will be able to benefit from furniture, internet, cleaning and maintenance services, coffee, etc. [4] Response of the Duke of LA ROCHEFOUCAULD-LIANCOURT (1747-1827), to LOUIS XVI (1754-1793)
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