Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is a hot topic these days. Some people are fascinated by the idea of machines that can think like humans, while others find it a little scary. Meanwhile, tech giants like Google, NVIDIA, Microsoft, OpenAI and many others are rushing towards this technology, eager to secure the superior place in the race.
But here’s the real question: how close are we to AGI actually being implemented? Is this future just around the corner, or will it take another decade, if not more, to get there? And, just as importantly, how much of an impact will AGI have on our lives when it finally arrives?
Well, let’s take a look.
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Is the promise of AGI realistic?
Yes, it is. To put it in simple terms, the human brain is essentially a biological computer, and the creation of AGI is about replicating that kind of thinking in a machine. It’s just a matter of time and sufficient computing power. The development progress we have seen in AI models and hardware, especially in the last few years, leads me to believe that AGI is achievable within the next 5-7 years. And if that happens, our society will see some massive changes.
Let’s take a look at a well-known example: since the early days of their development, smartphones and the Internet have come a long way, and today it is virtually impossible to imagine our daily lives without them. AGI will eventually take a place in the same lineup as they do, becoming an essential part of the daily routine.
In fact, AGI is likely to become even more indispensable than the Internet. Even now we can clearly see that it is easier to ask ChatGPT a question and see as it gives you the exact information you need. No more need to manually scroll through dozens of search results in Google looking for the right link. AGI will greatly streamline this process and provide quick responses tailored to your specific needs.
AGI’s effect on the labor market
Not so long ago, the widespread assumption was that artificial intelligence would mostly take over repetitive, manual jobs, leaving humans to focus on creativity and self-improvement. But ironically, creative fields have become the first to be affected by AI adoption. Illustration, design, music, writing — human content creators in all fields feel threatened.
Programming is certainly an area that will undergo significant transformation in the next few years. Much like how the invention of the camera forced painters to rethink their craft, AGI will push programmers, writers and other professionals to shift their focus from routine tasks to more creative, big-picture thinking.
The repetitive parts of a creative process could easily be automated, but true innovation will remain in human hands. Those who can push boundaries, create new genres or approaches will survive (and probably even thrive), while those who exhibit only repetitive work will struggle to maintain their value.
The same applies to other professions. Product thinking is likely to become more important than having highly specialized skills because AGI will eventually be able to replicate the latter easily enough.
So does this mean AI skills are more important than hard skills?
Let’s take a look at this through the lens of cooking. You can find just about any recipe online, but that doesn’t mean everyone can make a delicious meal just by following it. The value of a chef’s skills comes from nuanced expertise, from knowing how to mix ingredients together in the right way to get a delicious result.
Similarly, I believe that professionals who can look at the big picture and effectively guide AI systems to achieve specific goals will be in demand. Just as a chef doesn’t need to understand every detail of cheese production to make a great cheese-based dish, a programmer doesn’t need to write every line of code by hand to build a great app.
An experienced developer could use AGI to create applications in almost any programming language. They may not need to do the routine coding themselves, but they still need to have a good eye for the overall architecture design so they can oversee the process. In contrast, someone without much programming experience would struggle to give the AGI the right instructions or determine if the final product is any good. They didn’t want to see the hidden nuances that could make or break the project.
This kind of pattern will spread across many other professions, and strategic thinkers who can focus on the big picture and leverage AGI effectively will ultimately be the ones to come out ahead.
Prepare your business for the future of AGI
When AGI finally rolls out, it’s going to massively accelerate business innovation. Machines do not need breaks, holidays or sick leave. They can work around the clock, and for a business owner, this is as promising as it is dangerous. Don’t forget: your competitors will probably think like you and try to use this technology to their advantage.
To stay ahead of the curve, it’s important to start preparing now. Companies need to invest in employee training and start reengineering workflows so that AI becomes a common tool that their teams use daily, just like any other office equipment. This way, they will be much better positioned to embrace AGI when it comes out and make it a core part of their strategy.
The takeaway is simple: AGI is coming faster than you might think. It will reshape how we work and live, so the best thing you can do is start preparing now. Those who adapt will thrive, while those who resist may be left behind.
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