Knowledge-based intelligence

It’s hard to believe ChatGPT is barely three years old because it feels like artificial intelligence (AI) has dominated the world for a lot longer than that. To drive the point home, hilariously, some job postings require candidates to have at least five years of experience using AI tools.

In all seriousness, AI already has changed the world and replaced humans in many roles. However, a short-sighted quest for efficiency could cost companies in the long run because I do not believe AI will ever replace human creativity.

Companies can capture more data than they’ll ever know what to do with. Dave Young, vice president of digital at Environmental Solutions Group, which is part of Norwalk, Connecticut-based Terex Corp., says the company’s 3rd Eye truck cameras capture more than 3.5 million pictures every single day.

How many humans would it take to process that many pictures? I’m not a calculus professor, but I venture quite a lot. If Walmart Inc. told all its roughly 2.3 million employees to stop what they’re doing and process this data, it would cost the company at least 18.4 million hours. And that’s just one day’s worth. Compound that daily, and it would be impossible for the company to make up those sunk costs.

Again, I’m not a calculus professor, but I venture the average company doesn’t have 2.3 million people lying around. Fortunately, those 3rd Eye cameras come equipped with integrated smart technology systems that can sift through those images faster than we mere mortals can blink. And that has accelerated data analysis exponentially. Factor in that AI doesn’t just process—it learns and gets more efficient—and the possibilities for companies to quantify and react multiply endlessly.

That’s just one example of how AI opens a world of possibilities. You can read more in our fleet management feature from the March issue.

But before rushing to embrace AI everywhere, consider some of its flaws. While AI is adept at processing information, it is still a tool, and tools need to be fed the right information to be effective. An AI system that learns from a faulty base will cause more problems than it’s worth.

Ultimately, people are the ones who bring the knowledge AI needs to be successful. AI might have changed the world, but it still needs humans to keep pushing the boundaries.

I could be wrong; machines might end up taking over the world. If that happens, I hope they have the good sense to vaporize this issue of Waste Today. But knowing my luck, our future AI overlords will spare this copy just to rub it in my face.