Filipino scientist tells public: Do not fear robots, AI

A Filipino scientist on Monday assured the public that robots and artificial intelligence (AI) are nothing to fear, as they are intended to make work easier.

"Wag tayong kabahan sa robots and AI. Una, yung mga teknolohiya na ‘yan ay ginawa para suportahan yung pangangailangan ng tao," said Albert Causo in Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

(Let’s not get anxious about robots and AI. First of all, these technologies were created to support human needs.)

While such advances may render some jobs obsolete, Causo emphasized that the human workforce will remain essential.

"Secondly, kailangan natin tanggapin yung katotohanan na may mga mawawalang trabaho, pero hindi mawawala yung tao…Kapag nagkaroon na ng automation ng robot, may mawawalang trabaho kasi ‘yun yung gagawin ng robot," he said.

(Secondly, we need to accept the reality that some jobs will be lost, but humans will not disappear… When robot automation occurs, some jobs will disappear because those tasks will be done by robots.)

"Pero nililipat ng mga kumpanya yung tao sa ibang trabaho. Dito papasok ngayon, halimbawa, yung pagre-retrain or upskilling," he added.

(But companies transfer people to other jobs. This is where retraining or upskilling comes in.)

Causo is the developer of the Connected Unified Autonomous Technologies and Robotics (CUATRO) Program, funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which seeks to help micro, small, and medium enterprises adopt robotics and automation in their operations.

"Ito ay isang programa na pinopondohan ng DOST para isulong pa ang pagdadagdag pa ng robotics, AI, mga industry 4.0 technologies para mas ma-improve yung productivity ng mga businesses," said Causo.

(This is a DOST-funded program aimed at promoting robotics, AI, and Industry 4.0 technologies to improve business productivity.)

"Ang idea natin ay ang mga makabagong teknolohiya na ito, kapag ito ay inadopt ng ating mga businesses, makakatulong ito para mas mapalago ang negosyo nila, mag-improve yung capacity nila, mas marami silang ma-produce kahit with the same amount of input lang," he added.

(Our goal is that when these modern technologies are adopted by businesses, they will help grow operations, improve capacity, and allow higher output using the same amount of input.)—MCG, GMA Integrated News