AI must support humans, not replace them

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Over the past four decades I’ve seen technology reshape businesses in profound ways. Yet too often new tech fails to deliver on its bold promises, especially when projects don’t align with core business objectives or the needs of real people.

Artificial intelligence, in particular, is subject to enormous hype, with claims about its potential ranging from the innovative to the frankly fantastical.

In today’s landscape, it’s crucial to distinguish between the different types of AI. Artificial Narrow Intelligence – ANI – is a broad term for focused tools that are transforming industries by mastering specific tasks. Then there’s Artificial General Intelligence – AGI – and Artificial Super Intelligence – ASI – which some pundits say will eventually surpass human intelligence. 

As someone who’s worked with machine code and assembly language for decades, I find this notion far-fetched.

Intelligence, as I see it, isn’t about accessing vast information or mimicking human responses. True intelligence lies in the capacity for imagination, questioning assumptions and pushing the boundaries of current understanding.

Machines, by design, lack these qualities; they are logical, not biological.

We risk misleading ourselves when we use human-centric terms like “intelligence” to describe computational functions. A machine that processes information rapidly demonstrates intellect, perhaps, but not intelligence in the human sense.

Those distinctions must be made clear, especially as AI becomes more embedded in society.

It is in the arena of efficiency that AI holds the most promise for businesses

In the UAE the momentum around AI has intensified, particularly with the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031. Yet the risk is that AI could lead to “digital tyranny” in the workplace if it is deployed without the necessary oversight and a human-led framework.

AI can’t reason in the way humans do; it can’t explain why it arrives at a conclusion. Imagine a judicial scenario where a machine issues a verdict with no rationale – an opaque, impenetrable decision. This is a cautionary tale that we must consider as AI becomes integrated into critical sectors.

Even in applied settings, such as energy and manufacturing, AI’s role is limited to analysing specific data sets, not generating innovative solutions.

As AI starts to be used for tasks like diagnosing technical issues or providing real-time data in the oil and gas industry, its real value lies in optimising processes, not sentient autonomy. 

It is in the arena of efficiency that AI holds the most promise for businesses, where fast access to data can support frontline engineers and technical teams. The difference with today’s AI is its ability to adapt to us. In the past, humans had to learn machine language; now machines can interpret ours.

This adaptability can make AI an excellent assistant, saving time for both professionals and consumers and providing accessibility for those traditionally left out of the tech landscape, such as senior citizens. 

Natural language processing, for example, allows AI to understand commands and context, transforming interactions. In the Gulf, an engineer at an energy plant can ask the AI assistant directly, “What’s the optimal level for this pipeline flow?” and receive an instant data-informed response.

Still, we need business-driven AI deployments – not AI for AI’s sake. Every executive I speak to in the UAE understands this distinction. They are grounded in the need for cost-benefit analysis. This cautious approach ensures that we invest in AI to enhance productivity and competitive advantage, not simply to follow trends.

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A business-led approach to technology yields positive outcomes, while tech-led projects often bring little return on investment. From Y2K to the dot-com boom, history is littered with cases where vast sums were squandered on technologies that ultimately failed.

In the UAE, where AI is pitched as pivotal to the nation’s future, we have a unique opportunity to set a global example. AI can and should be a powerful tool to complement human intelligence, but it should never replace it.

It’s essential to maintain a human-centric vision. Businesses need to uphold the creativity, empathy and insight that only people can bring to the table.

As we look ahead, AI’s future lies in thoughtful integration: utilising AI’s efficiencies without letting it compromise the distinctly human aspects that make us innovative and adaptable. 

We should create a future where technology handles the heavy lifting and people make the ultimate calls. This is the path to genuine progress.

Dr Jamil El-Imad is an honorary senior research fellow at Imperial College, London and special situations adviser at Abu Dhabi-based Astraea