Joseph Tsai, Executive Vice Chairman of Alibaba Group, said recently at a conference that excessive worries about AI outsmarting or even replacing humans are “misplaced.”
In recent years, the exponential growth of AI has taken the world by storm, prompting fears that the emergence of AI robots will cause mass unemployment and even replace mankind one day.
But Tsai dismissed the concerns as “overblown” at BEYOND EXPO Macao 2023.
He explained that human brains have billions of cells that remain untapped, with a huge potential to be discovered and unleashed.
“Although AI can already undertake some simple creative work, robots can hardly replicate human-to-human interactions, EQ, emotions and desire,” said Tsai. “And this is where human strengths lie.”
Tsai, however, admitted that AI’s advances did pose a challenge to some sectors. But for most people, AI robots will not entirely substitute man, he emphasized.
In his view, to better adapt to changes in the future, humans need to constantly learn and improve their skills, so as to maintain their competitive edge over robots.
In the meantime, it pays to assume an open mindset, to better harness new technologies, Tsai noted.
Tsai said he is more optimistic than many about the future that lies ahead, despite the shockwaves of innovations such as ChatGPT that have rippled through the world.
“We should realize that the gap between man and machine is not just technological, but one that exists in emotion, creativity and judgment,” said Tsai.
He added this means man still has irreplaceable advantages that need to be cherished and celebrated.
