It’s tempting especially if you work in HR or manage employees to think the job would be a lot easier if it wasn’t for people ! After all most of your time, energy and stress is due to their behaviour towards colleagues, managers and customers. But then a future where humans are replaced by intelligent machines is not attractive.
“ Only human “ the expression is a recognition that we are far from perfect and make mistakes. But we are not so keen on intelligent machines making us redundant or even becoming self aware and resentful of their human overlords with disastrous consequences for us. So is the answer to enhance humans so they are stronger and less prone to break down, faster and able to work longer without frequent maintenance breaks, with increased memory, improved information exchange and generally smarter. In other words smooth running with greater accuracy and no mistakes.
‘Human augmentation is not a matter of if, but when. And we must ensure that we use this technology to improve lives, not diminish them.’ – Bath University institute for the augmentation of humans
Whilst some people think the future is intelligent machines others think it is augmented humans. Implants that enable a paraplegic to walk again, give sight to the blind , enable the deaf to hear or replace damaged limbs with fully functioning prosthetics are already in the prototype. Surly the next stage of development is implants that enhance employees enabling them to work longer, faster and smarter.
Is an augmented human better than an intelligent machine ,” absolutely “says Google!
Perhaps your initial reaction to augmentation is “ no thanks ” imagining a socket in the back of your neck from which you can directly plug your brain into a computer. Maybe the picture that comes to mind is of the Borg from Star Trek half human half machine. Neither are attractive. But would you happily take a pill that made you smarter? Would you strap something to your arm or leg to make you stronger or faster? Would you be open to the idea of an implant developed to counter memory loss in those diagnosed with dementia to dramatically enhance your own recall abilities? Every one could have a photo graphic memory.
People have implants to regulate their heart beat what about one that monitors and regulates other organs making you healthier and more robust. Augmented humans would still have human character flaws, irrational, unpredictable, jealous, lazy, greedy , judgemental and prejudicial, so still plenty of work for HR. However unlike machines they would be empathetic, kind, generous, creative and have a sense of humour.
