Automated Software, Not Perilous But Powerful

TAMPA, Fla. - Oct. 7, 2016 - PRLog -- Is the Path of Automation Perilous?

Many people do correctly note that automated software and smart technology drive many of the things in our current reality. Disagree? Re-consider that for a moment. We have beds that automatically adjust to our ideal sleep positions, self-driving, electric cars powered by the push of a button to carry us to work, and machine intelligence driven search algorithm systems (i.e. Google's RankBrain) to help anyone, anywhere to find answers to just about anything they'd like to learn about in a given digital moment.

Smart automated software systems and tools make many of our daily tasks simple. No longer do we rely on the stars to guide our expeditions or even printed pages covered in step-by-step directions to get from point A to B. Today, we can just speak into our phone mics and wait for our preferred GPS app to pop up. You must admit that considering where we began, this is quite incredible.

Technology expedites many daily routines through the help of modern gadgetry. So, people worry about Kindle replacing bookstores with digital shelves, Netflix taking over traditional cable television with streaming services, and Amazon Prime Pantry supplanting supermarkets with digital grocery shopping and doorstep-delivery options.

Another common complaint is that automated software may reduce the need for analytical skills. That it may eliminate the traditional approach to problem-solving. Are you seeing the pattern here. The idea is that automation equals simplicity, simplicity makes people simple by demanding less complex thinking. Therefore automation is problematic for humanity. "Just look at what happened in Wall-E", they say. "Everyone grew complacent because they relied on technology for everything and that was really the beginning of the end".

But is life really as simple as film-makers portray it to be in 90 minute movies? Are we doomed for a digital future that will forever haunt us?! Though, this concept certainly sells tickets and spurs some very interesting segments on our favorite media channels ...there's more to it than that.

Technology is Truly Empowering:

The truth is that there's no simple answer. Automated software and technology has pros and cons to it because humans who are imperfect beings are building and controlling it. I don't know about you but I don't know of any 100 percent perfect, error free thinking humans walking around. But, guess what else is true? According to the research, we as social beings are becoming not less - as screenwriters may occasionally imply - but more intelligent and better equipped to handle the massive responsibility of understanding and caring for one another over time. And automated software is helping us to do it. We're building upon what we've learned with the power of technology as we continue on our journey towards greater progress.

For example, we've learned that we can rely on a technology known as, PTC or Positive Train Control to prevent events, such as the Hoboken Train Crash. That is an information system that helps to slow or stop trains in emergency cases of human or locomotive error. So, sure automated software can make some routines simpler. But it's worth considering why we sought to create that reality in the first place. Having the ability to commit our focus to what's really important in our daily lives and in our routines, could literally save lives.

Dr. Gordon Brown, previous Prime Minister of the United Kingdom once stated, "Take, what modern technology is capable of: The power of our moral sense allied to the power of communications and our ability to organize internationally. That in my view, gives us the first opportunity to fundamentally change the world".

So, yes it is absolutely true that automated software and much of technology has made many life activities simpler. Whether or not this is a concern probably depends on what we as individuals and as a society choose to do, afterwards.

Critical thinking should lead us to fully consider both sides of the issue. So yes, automated software is as much of a big deal as its painted to seem - it can literally aid in saving lives. Yes, it has imperfection built in because we live in an imperfect reality - that's why we continually innovate and improve. And yes, we are adapting to the world around us by simplifying or eliminating certain mundane routines or work tasks, which can seem frightening at first glance - as it always does. We're only human. But that also means that we have the ability to choose what we want to do with the freed up time that we're given: more effectively learn from and manage educational, health, social and other complex issues, perhaps?

Traditionalists have one opinion of automation that's tied up with an idea about dystopia, but really its that we're simply changing our approach to work, as we have since our ancestors first picked up tools and began to apply them to their own daily tasks.

Many pioneers of innovation will agree that automated software not only makes life easier, it allows us to more completely commit to focusing on truly complex and meaningful tasks. Plus, it adds a delightful degree of speed and safety to many production processes. This is invaluable.

So, it's not a problem - It's a solution. Changing perspectives, adapting to new ways of doing things, finding innovative strategies to tackle more complex and significant tasks through the power of technology and much more is what humanity really is all about.

Visit the USF Tech Blog at https://hscweb3.hsc.usf.edu/is/ to learn more and with that knowledge begin to grow, anytime.