What can’t artificial intelligence do? CTOs respond

Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant technology and is now being used in sectors as diverse as power plants and retail. This technology is becoming more advanced day by day, but where is the final limit of its capabilities? A group of senior technology executives, including an executive from Microsoft, have answered this fundamental question.

According to a Euronews report, various artificial intelligence experts shared their views on the present and future of artificial intelligence and, more importantly, its inherent limitations at an event in Madrid. The most important part of this conversation was the answer to an important question: what will artificial intelligence “never” be able to do?

The executives were unanimous on one thing: AI could never have feelings or lead a group with empathy. Rafael San Juan, Innovation Director of the Spanish company Iberdrola, summed it up like this:

“Artificial intelligence will be able to build the Taj Mahal, but it will never understand what it means to love its creator.”

Things that AI can’t do

On the common fear that artificial intelligence will replace skilled labor, experts were clear: AI is here to enhance people’s work, not replace them. Experts agreed that the true intelligence that distinguishes humans resides in creativity, intuition, and emotion.

Elena González-Blanco García, Microsoft’s head of artificial intelligence in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, recalled: “We’ve been hearing for half a century that machines are going to replace humans, and it hasn’t happened.” In this regard, he mentioned an interview by Marvin Minsky, the founder of the MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, in the 1970s, who said that artificial intelligence will replace humans in 10 years. According to him, technology changes the way we work, but it does not eliminate human value.

Javier Mallo, CEO of Carrefour Spain, pointed out that the future is in human-machine collaboration: “Companies that combine artificial intelligence and emotional intelligence will be the leaders.”

They also emphasized that human judgment is always necessary to control the illusion of artificial intelligence that makes errors in its reasoning.

The executives also all agreed that Spain and the EU lag behind the US and China in investing in AI. “Europe can play in the top league if it’s serious about talent and innovation,” González-Blanco said, referring to French unicorn startup Mistral.