Johannah Gamble

News Analysis #2
Eportfolio Assignment
12.13.2016
BIO 1090

1. Cite the name of the news source, the article title, the date, and the byline (the reporters
name). Paste a link to the article here (in Canvas).
Citation: Cixin, Liu. "The Robot Revolution Will Be The Quietest One." The New York Times.
Turning.Points, 07 Dec. 2016. Web. 13 Dec. 2016.

URL Link: http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/12/07/opinion/the-robot-revolution-will-be-thequietest-one.html

2. What are the main conclusions of the scientist(s)?

The author, Liu Cixin, is trying to prove Artificial Intelligence (AI) is going to change the
way we live, work and play gradually. Lui generates an idea that the shift from human manual
labor to AI Robot labor will occur progressively over time and will eventually be the status quo.
Addressing the idea seems frightening to some as this would ultimately alter the way we manage
human resources. The conservative heirs of the industrial revolution may be concerned with
revamping the entire socio-economic structure. Alternatively, there is no way to prevent the
advancement of technology. In this article, Lui briefly discusses reorganizing the classes of
society. By heightening scientific research surrounding AI, AI could replace 90% of jobs. This
may seem terrifying to the already techno-phobic.

3. What are some possible impacts this information could have on society or on
individuals?
Some may believe that this type of AI will lead to an extremely poor world run by a
select few that belong to the AI aristocracy. Lui Cixin says "The world could be engulfed by
endless conflicts between those who control the A.I. and the rest of us. The technocratic 10
percent could end up living in a gated community with armed robot guards." I prefer to believe
in the utopian alternative society where the automated intelligence helps free up time to do
whatever we want. Humans could use their brain power for more meaningful tasks. If we could
all capitalize on AI. We could all have welfare. No one would have to work.
What will the humans do with this all this free time? I believe working less and having
more free time will allow us to educate a super society. As society, we could benefit from having
more nurses and teachers, the world doesnt need more baristas. Artificial intelligence can cause
a paradigm shift in the way we interact with our planet. The world could focus on sustaining our
resources and educating our people. Can you imagine a world where people had the time to help
their kids with their homework? Unfortunately, I think most people would just spend more time
in front of the television.

4. Are other scientists, or policy-makers, mentioned as being in disagreement with the

research scientists? If so, what might make you tend to take their doubts seriously (or not
take them seriously)?
Lui himself concedes that AI is not a foolproof method to eradicate the way we believe
we need to make a living. We are living in a world that consists of many people who hold to a
luddite theory that evolving technology, or anything evolving for that matter, is evil. I think a lot
of people would disagree with the advancement of AI to replace job simply for the sheer fact that
they are afraid to make sub monumental change.

5. Are scientists mentioned in the article affiliated with a nonpartisan group, like a
University or Government, or affiliated with a for-profit corporation? If the latter, do you
suspect that altered their conclusions?
N/A

6. In what ways did the article change and expand your views of the topic? If it did not
change or expand your views, describe what you knew about the subject before reading the
article.

Cixin illustrates a concept of a world altered by technology to the point that it is

unrecognizable compared to the present day. Lu that it will be necessary to reinvent the way we
make a living, spend leisure time and the way we learn. The author vacillates between the theory
of a dystopian society filled with dreadful Nazi Robocops and a utopian theory of the world
without work. Artificial intelligence will replace jobs which humans once possessed. Automating
jobs will put people out of work. In my current career of business operations, I manage software
development to streamline processes to automate jobs.
These automated companies with can be self-sustainable with minimal upper
management. This management could be run from a laptop from anywhere in the world.
Essentially this concept of AI would facilitate conglomerates that would be extremely
inexpensive to operate.

7. Do you think the reporter did a good job or a bad job of giving background for the
story? Please give an example to support your opinion.
As A.I. takes over, the remaining jobs may only be about 10% of what they were. These career
paths remaining may be highly creative or complex jobs that robots cant do, such as senior
management, directing scientific research or nursing and child care. I think that it is important to
recognize where the combination of human brain power and irreplaceable compassion lie. These
visceral human attributes may indicate a greater purpose for our thinking capabilities. I believe
the more intelligent we become, every generation becomes greater.

EPortfolio Reflection
Choose one of your two news analysis assignments from this semester, to be your signature
assignment. Post it to your e-portfolio, and answer the following reflection questions.

Reflection prompt 1. Did your article, or things you saw in your search for articles, change
the way you think about science? Did you see evidence of scientists actively engaged in
public policy debates, and were you surprised by their level of advocacy?
At the same time, I write that I feel hopeful for the utopian society, I am doubtful and cynical. I
mention above that the reduction of monotonous jobs could improve healthcare and child rearing
capabilities. I also think that people would not use their extra time wisely. We would figure out
another way to waste time worshipping the Netflix gods.

Reflection prompt 2. Discuss how your article made connections to another discipline, like
business, government, politics, economics, or humanities. If it didnt make any connections
to other disciplines, discuss a connection it could have made.
The article makes a direct connection to business, government, politics, economics and
humanities. Artificial Intelligence would change the way we do business by making it more
affordable to operate and own a business. Government and politics would need to be revamped
to accommodate an AI fueled welfare for all system to help all citizens to have their needs met.
Humanity could use their thinking power for learning, experiencing and exploring instead of
working 9-5 jobs for an industrialist of society.

Reflection prompt 3. Describe how the class has impacted your views on science, the human
body, and human impacts on the planet.
This class helped me gain a better understanding of physiology a whole. I am extremely
interested in biology after taking this class.