There is a hint of Audrey Hepburn about her. It's intentional; it's all part of making her likeable. Sophia, the brainchild of Hanson Robotics, has become something of a media darling. She, or if you prefer, it, has been wowing audiences around the world. Her seemingly sentient responses, social intelligence – albeit artificial intelligence – and quickish wit have paved the way for Sophia to become the world's first "celebradroid" (celebrity android). For sure, she is the first robot to be given a national citizenship (Saudi) and she is doing a great job of shining a light on Saudi Arabia's aspirations to diversify its economy and become a leading player in the global technology sector.
More than anything, though, Sophia is the poster girl for AI. Artificial intelligence is probably going to revolutionise the way we live and work (if we work at all) in the coming decades. Change is scary and Sophia (Greek for wisdom) is the compassionate, empathic, friendly face of this uncertain future.
Depending on whom you listen to, the coming AI revolution will create a leisure-filled utopia, where humanity is liberated from labour, with all needs being met by sentient mechanical servants. Alternatively, it will create a dismal dystopia, where the masses of humanity are surplus to societal requirements, unemployed, unemployable and under the heel of robot overlords.
How susceptible are jobs to computerisation? That was the title of a study published by a team of researchers at Oxford University in 2013. The results suggested about 47 per cent of all US employment is presently at risk of being lost to computer-controlled equipment (robots). From the 702 occupations included in the study, it was those jobs requiring the lowest levels of educational attainment that were at greatest risk.
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Another team, also at Oxford University, surveyed machine learning experts, the architects of the AI revolution, asking them about the likely timing of AI advances and more importantly, how long we have before the robots take over. The team published their results in May this year under a paper presumptuously titled “When Will AI Exceed Human Performance? Evidence from AI Experts”. The experts’ answers suggest that we have 120 years before all human jobs are automated and perhaps just 45 years before AI outperforms humans in all occupational tasks.
Will self-driving cars outperform humans in safety and efficiency terms? Will millions of driving jobs be automated? What infrastructure is needed to support this transition? If machines are significantly safer drivers than humans, is it ethical to allow humans to drive? Will laws related to human driving offences need to be reviewed? The social implications of AI are huge, especially when you consider robosoldier, robocop, roboprofessor and even robomedic. The UAE was wise to appoint a Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence to help navigate and optimise the outcomes of this seemingly inevitable transition.
I’m sure it won’t be long before it’s the norm for humans and androids to work alongside each other, at least during the transition to full automation. Perhaps joint working will always need to be the case and AI’s potential might not be as potent as presently envisaged. Either way, consider working as a subordinate to Sophia 2.0 (a super-smart, emotionally intelligent Audrey Hepburn lookalike). Is she preferable to your present boss? Would you trust her honesty and judgement over that of a fellow human? Research from the human-computer interaction lab at the University of Manitoba suggests that for many of us, the answer would be yes. Their study found that humans were more willing to take orders from computers than they were from other humans.
What are the likely psychological consequences of the AI revolution? We know that job loss and relationship breakdown often precedes depression. Even in the context of financial independence via a universal basic income, meaningful employment – that is, a person’s relationship to society – is associated with psychological well-being. Will we find new ways to serve society, ways to fill the employment void that AI threatens to create? Will we become a planet of poets, artists and philosophers, unencumbered with mundane occupations, free to pursue higher aspirations?
Labour-saving devices like Sophia save us time. What will you do with all the time you save?
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Habib El Qalb
Assi Al Hallani
(Rotana)
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
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Fixtures
Sunday, December 8, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – UAE v USA
Monday, December 9, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – USA v Scotland
Wednesday, December 11, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – UAE v Scotland
Thursday, December 12, ICC Academy, Dubai – UAE v USA
Saturday, December 14, ICC Academy, Dubai – USA v Scotland
Sunday, December 15, ICC Academy, Dubai – UAE v Scotland
Note: All matches start at 10am, admission is free
Director: Shady Ali
Cast: Boumi Fouad , Mohamed Tharout and Hisham Ismael
Rating: 3/5
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Uefa Nations League
League A:
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The Specs
Engine 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp (542bhp in GTS model)
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000 (Dh549,000 for GTS)
The bio
Favourite food: Japanese
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Favourite quote: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough
Favourite country: UAE
Duterte Harry: Fire and Fury in the Philippines
Jonathan Miller, Scribe Publications
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
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Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
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PROFILE OF STARZPLAY
Date started: 2014
Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand
Number of employees: 125
Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
Queen
Nicki Minaj
(Young Money/Cash Money)
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
Naga
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Dubai World Cup Carnival card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
The National selections:
6.30pm - Ziyadd; 7.05pm - Barney Roy; 7.40pm - Dee Ex Bee; 8.15pm - Dubai Legacy; 8.50pm - Good Fortune; 9.25pm - Drafted; 10pm - Simsir
Need to know
Unlike other mobile wallets and payment apps, a unique feature of eWallet is that there is no need to have a bank account, credit or debit card to do digital payments.
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MEYDAN RESULTS
6.30pm Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh125,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner ES Ajeeb, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Ibrahim Aseel (trainer).
7.05pm Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Galaxy Road, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
7.40pm Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Al Modayar, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh170,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner Gundogdu, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.50pm Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner George Villiers, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
9.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 (D)1,200m
Winner Lady Parma, Connor Beasley, Satish Seemar
10pm Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Zaajer, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela
Edited by Sahm Venter
Published by Liveright
The Outsider
Stephen King, Penguin
HAJJAN
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Armies of Sand
By Kenneth Pollack (Oxford University Press)
Day 2, stumps
Pakistan 482
Australia 30/0 (13 ov)
Australia trail by 452 runs with 10 wickets remaining in the innings
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Profile of Tamatem
Date started: March 2013
Founder: Hussam Hammo
Based: Amman, Jordan
Employees: 55
Funding: $6m
Funders: Wamda Capital, Modern Electronics (part of Al Falaisah Group) and North Base Media