Technologically, the world is moving fast. Artificial intelligence is penetrating fast in application to many human endeavors. There is no gainsaying that in a few years, robots may take over many activities hitherto carried out by humans. However, robots have their limitations. They can't read the emotions of humans and this is very vital when dealing with humans.
To the best of my understanding, artificial intelligence is a product of humans and they can't be sophisticated in thoughts like humans. It is programmed by humans and they are under the control of humans. Control in the sense that they are totally independent in initiating an action.
A human initiates an action and subsequently involves robots to help out in meeting up the task.
I am a teacher. I work in Nigerian Defence Academy, the foremost military University in West Africa. Artificial intelligence has its limits in handling my work, especially the aspect of research.
Two years ago I realized that there was a problem of water pollution in an industrial area and I, with three other colleagues, decided to conduct a research to know the types of pollutants in the water and the level of pollution. We conducted the research and found out that there was a presence of heavy metals like nickel and chromium ions in excess of what humans can consume safely.
We went ahead to use locally sourced adsorbent, bentonite clay, to remove the heavy metal ions. The results were superb and we recommended scaling up the results to ameliorate the suffering of the people in getting potable water. The paper was published in a journal of water technology.
Artificial intelligence can't independently discover the existence of human problems like the one stated above. Though they can be helpful in the area of data gathering and analysis, I am confident of still having my vital role to play in formulating research problems, stating my hypothesis and before going into the research proper.
My second area of interest is farming. Nigerian civil service rule permits civil servants to engage in farming in addition to their roles with government if they so wish. I took a good advantage of this.
Though it's not unconnected to the fact that my father was a farmer and I learned the process under him. I don't see my job as a farmer being threatened by robots.
I have read a lot about the application of artificial intelligence in farming, especially in the areas of weeding, irrigation and application of pesticides and herbicides etc. The place of humans in deciding the available land to farm can't be replaced. Lands are available everywhere but not all are for farming. It is my job to decide the land that I have an authority upon. I can then apply any available technology to do the farming.
This is to show that my place of initiating the farming process can't be replaced. The population of my country, Nigeria is growing so is the need for food.
Presently, Nigeria spends a lot on importation of food of different varieties to feed her about 200 million population. There is a big vacuum in becoming self-sufficient in food production. I believe my role in Agriculture can't be overtaken by any artificial intelligence. The best is to make good use of it to achieve optimum food production.
The picture above is that of my vigna subterranea (Bambara nut) farm.
