Technology Can't Replace Manpower
· Free Press Journal
By Shrey Kumar
When COVID-19 brought the world to its knees, ventilators, tracking apps, essential delivery of medical equipment, genome sequencing and heap of technological advancements were flooded on the world. When the world started to witness the health sector crumble, then doctors, nurses, health workers, sanitation staffs, administrators led their self-concern abbey and dedicated days and nights without even an ounce of hope for improvement. This reflects that irrespective of how advanced technological sphere can turn out, it can replace work but not manpower. In those dire situation of pandemic, where most advanced technology proved helpless, it was human judgement, compassion and mere presence which bridged the gap. This historic moment reminded Humanity as timeless truth and reiterated the fact that machines may extent human capabilities but cannot replace human being. Technology has become inseparable from modern civilisation – transforming communication, production, governance and science. Various technological advancements has emerged like cloud computing, industrial mechanisation, reforms in Agri-sector, drone based surveillance, Artificial intelligence etc. The very definition of Artificial intelligence states “machines stimulating human behaviour”. It reflects that they are also trying to confront a bigger force i.e., “Human itself”. Hence, machine may perform precision and accuracy but it will always remain a tool, not a moral agent as it cannot generate empathy, discretion or bear any ethical responsibilities which is the core of human behaviour. In this discussion, we will delve into various dimensions where a rise in perceived notion of “machines replacing manpower” is witnessed and also the reality check along with future of machines & humans.
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TECHNOLOGY CAN CONNECT PEOPLE, BUT CANNOT REPLACE HUMAN BONDS
Technology has altered the very fabric of human society. Social media creates virtual communication, influences identity and shapes public opinion. Also during pandemic, video calls connected family across continents, tele-doctor communication offered consultancy, digital classroom continued the learning process. However, this technology can't substitute human relationships. Deepfake videos of Indian election altered the speech of politicians, mis-leading a large number of people shaping their public opinion. Although video calls facilitate interaction but can't offer companionship which led to rise fictive kinship like friends, neighbours became real families in search of companionship. As per live classes were concerned, according to ASER 2021 report, only 67% of rural households has access to smart phone, creating digital divide. Hence, “we have never been more connected, yet never more isolated”. Technology amplifies social engagement but it can't replace human touch and human collectiveness. The collective behaviour, desire where coherent ideas transform into ideologies set the grounds for political group.
TECHNOLOGY CAN INFLUENCE POLITICS, BUT CANNOT REPLACE LEADERSHIP
Technology is now central to governance. India’s Aadhaar-linked Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) has reduced leakages and targeted subsidies to vulnerable households with unmatched efficiency. From defence to health care related policies, technology is at the tips of everyone. But, can technology replace political judgement and leadership attributes? Can technology satisfy the core objective of any political party which is formal recruitment of members & their socialisation through one's political formula? Can it overtake the human discretion over democratic accountability? Russian bot farms manipulating political discourse highlighted how unregulated & de-humanised use of technology can distort rather than deepening democracy. Similarly, surveillance tools misused can lead to authoritarianism. Even the most advanced technology can't negotiate peace, understand cultural sensitivities or build public trust that is the core values of human beings. As George Orwell said “Those who control information, control the world” with respect to modern world of information highway. The power to control information is and must rest with responsible human and not self-governing machines as they can't replace sensitivity, compassion like humans.
Technology may improve governance but essence of political leadership - negotiation, empathy - remains unique to human beings. Technology can process but can't progress without human intervention.
TECHNOLOGY CAN AUTOMATE TASKS, BUT CANNOT REPLACE HUMAN CREATIVITY
History is full of evidences where technological advancements lead to transformation, be it industrial revolution due to which subsistence led economy transformed to market based economy, uplifting the life of innumerable third state citizens. Similarly automation, robotics have transformed the global economy. Technology accelerated productivity across sectors, India’s ONDC is disrupting e-commerce monopolies by empowering small farmer; linking them directly to market by eliminating intermediaries has also brought them out of various atrocities. But does technology replace manpower? It changes the nature of work. Even automated industries requires design, engineers, supervisors, cyber experts & maintenance staffs. Every digital transformation opens new job sectors - data science, AI ethics, robotics, behavioural economics but it requires human capital development. The danger isn't that machines will replace us, but we will become like them. “Machine can perform repetitive task but can't perform/design next economic model”. The intuition and risk taking ability for better growth, development and welfare for all lies only with human. Even if technology increases economic footprint, but can they ensure that all their means are just or are they end in themselves? NO.
TECHNOLOGY CAN PROCESS DATA, BUT CANNOT REPLACE MORAL JUDGEMENT
Perhaps the strongest reality check against the perceived notion of machines replacing manpower lies in the ethical dimension. AI may detect pattern but can't differentiate right/wrong with prism of ethics. Excessive surveillance hampers privacy. CRISPR-based gene editing technology opens possibility of designing babies & irreversible biological changes. “Geoffrey Hinton” - Nobel laureate and one of the pioneers of AI, warned the world during his speech in 2024 about “AI may be used to create new viruses and horrendous lethal weapons”. The accountability in case of technological failure lies with whom?
· who is responsible when a self-driving car ramps over pedestrian?
· who is accountable for algorithmic bias and discrimination?
· who decides biotechnology should edit human embryos or not?
“The real problem isn't machines thinking, its human not thinking” is unsatiable urge for advancements. Even EU’s AI classification has referred it as unacceptable risk and underscored that ethical boundaries must be set by human deliberation. Mahatma Gandhi choose 'charkha' over machines which don't value human dignity. The domain of compassion, integrity, accountability, conscience is unique to human & machines can't replace it despite various scientific breakthrough.
TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES, BUT IMAGINATION OF HUMAN DRIVES DISCOVERY
Science & technology reinforces each other but human value-based curiosity remains the spark of discovery. ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed because of autonomous algorithm working alongside human engineers, mission planners & scientists. Hence science & technology can be imparted by modern machines but value-based innovations are the core for constructive development. As per Warren Buffet- aptitude and energy without integrity is detrimental. Hence, technological powers too requires human wisdom to guide a constructive and inclusive growth.
While each dimension highlighted how manpower is irreplaceable, it is pertinent to acknowledge that technology advances human capabilities. During the pandemic digital tools helped trace the infections, deliver telemedicine & coordinate relief; UPI payments,
online platform kept education active. Technology strengthened communities, sealed the leaked faucets in the face of corruption & increased transparency. Yet all these success depended on human leadership, healthcare workers, community volunteers, decision-makers etc. Thus technology doesn't replace manpower, it amplifies it and allows manpower to focus on creativity, innovation & ethical decision making where machines can't compete. The future demands not a world where technology replaces manpower but only where it empowers it. Technology is undoubtedly the greatest force of our generation. It enhances governance, accelerates science, raises economic productivity & connects societies but it also amplifies inequality, undermines privacy and create unseen vulnerabilities in society.
Ultimately, technology remains a creation and humans its creator. The future belong to those who empower their manpower through responsible, humane and inclusive technological advancements where holistic growth is envisioned.
The question shouldn’t be
“whether human being will adapt to technology or not” rather “whether technology will adapt to human values”.