This month, we have a contribution to our Cavemen to Chatbots challenge. The idea is to reminisce on where our industry came from, and where it is headed. Our contributor this month, and the winner of this month’s R1000, comes from an old and dear friend and colleague who has contributed, and is still contributing so much to our industry, Michael Brown.
Reading through his article brings back so many memories, and reminds me of the way things have changed and are still changing. You can see the traditional thinking in education and how that caused headaches for those entering industry. You will learn of the struggles with technology that could not do what we wanted it to do, in contrast with today, where we have technology available that can do things we have not even dreamed of. You will see the marvellous things that people like Michael did with the technology available at the time.
Asaf Amir, CEO of Chatsuite, wrote an article in VentureBeat about how chatbots are still in the caveman stage. He argues that although chatbots have been hailed as modern-day marketing Messiahs, they need some work before they can pull off miracles. It takes time for people to realise that chatbots are just a tool, and that although they may solve problems, they come with a slew of other issues that didn’t exist before, and that need to be dealt with now.
If you are interested in learning more about chatbots, Zapier has compiled a list of the best AI chatbots in 2024 (https://zapier.com/blog/best-ai-chatbot/). ChatGPT is one of the best AI chatbots overall. It is free and easy to use, and it works like a search engine with up-to-date information on current events, and links back to sources. Microsoft Bing AI is another chatbot that can generate text, images and search results.
The term “boer maak ‘n plan” can be clearly seen in Michael’s description of his time during the apartheid years. It reminded me so much of the home-built controllers used at various critical plants in South Africa because of the boycotts. Our politicians have no idea what damage they caused by irresponsible behaviour, both to our industry and our financial systems. Award-winning economists are recommending that South Africans seriously look at taking their investments abroad. If business must stay out of politics, politicians should stay out of business.
Professional registration
We are still looking for more professional technicians, technologists and engineers to put up their hands for training as ECSA assessors in Mechatronics and Computer Engineering. Please send you names and contact details to [email protected]
Time is running out for those individuals doing ‘engineering work’. Make sure you register this year. We have recommendations and links for you on our website. Make use of these before it is too late.
Future jobs
With the rapid pace of technological advancements, it is natural to wonder what the future holds for us and our children. The skills that will be in demand in the future are likely to be different from those that were in demand in the past. According to a report by Pluralsight, some of the most sought-after tech skills in 2024 and beyond include data science, blockchain and cybersecurity.
When developing new material, education institutions should consider the skills that will be in demand in the future. Artificial intelligence has advanced to the stage where machines can create content that seems like it was done by humans. Although this technology is still in its infancy, it is already revolutionising various industries. Jobs such as AI researchers, data scientists, and robotics designers are likely to be in high demand in the future, and should be considered by both education institutions and people looking for a new direction in their professional lives.
Yours in automation
Johan Maartens
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