In the 1990s, when a number of software consultants were enticed to move from Jamaica to Canada, our company’s CTO did what he could to halt the brain drain. He warned us to remain in Jamaica. His argument? When you migrate to these First World countries, you will be asked to specialize or focus on one skill, and that’s all you’ll know. So said, so done!
We specialized in building a system that would later replace us. I’m not suggesting there was malicious intent back then…it’s only through hindsight that we now fully see these things.
I used to watch Person of Interest, a fictional series, years ago. I was intrigued by the possibilities of the technology it presented, and although its capabilities were plausible, I didn’t think it could progress to this extent in my lifetime. But it has.
Today, Artificial Intelligence has triggered another massive brain drain. This time, not to take us from one country to another, but from our jobs and careers. The shift is not so much from humans to humans, but the protected class is shifting from humans to artificial humans.
BRAIN DUMP TO BRAIN DISCARD
Every digital work that has ever been captured, every data stored, whether on the cloud or not, is accessible to AI. The drain is no longer meant to migrate the human brain but to dump (i.e. copy its useful content), and then discard it.
This is happening not only in the IT industry but also in any job that can be automated. Any job that can be defined by an algorithm, logic, or steps is at risk. If you can teach it, AI can learn it. Online courses are accessible to all, not just for the humans who sign up.
Biotechnology promises a resurgence in our brains to compete with Artificial Intelligence, by planting AI chips in our brains. Elon Musk’s Neuralink is a company that is well underway to realize this promise. Is this the optimal solution for humans? No, not according to the Scriptures.
WHAT TO DO?
Be deliberate. Don’t just follow the crowd. Messages on loudspeakers—in social media and mainstream media—are meant for the crowds. Instead, look around in your homes and local communities—what do you see for yourself, hear, and feel? Trust those more than those far away from what you experience.
Explore different things. Help others and not just with money; you’ll be surprised at how creative you can be.
Most importantly, draw close to God. Be serious about your relationship with Him. If He is just a religious figure or “energy”, but not a Person to you, you have further to go.
Humans are more than brains and brawn. We live wholly and alive when we lean into our humanity—connected to the Creator. When we lean into the parts of us that cannot be replicated, we’ll realize that we really can’t be replaced by AI.
If you haven’t had a serious conversation about who you are and what you believe, today is a good time to start. If you don’t have a solid understanding of who you are, others might try to provide you a Godless image to model. Not sure who to approach for advice? Pray and ask the LORD to connect you with a Bible-believing church.
Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Isaish 55:6
Jennifer Layton Starns, a Jamaican, is a software consultants coach overseas and is author of the book, “The Two Kingdoms.”