If computers can defeat us in chess, why can they not replace the doctors in a hospital? Are countries that are chaotic going to thrive in a world where rules are being ignored. How the norms of virtual communications is harder to master.
What is easy for us is tough for computers
ChatGPT-like AI model can diagnose cancer, guide treatment choice, predict survival across multiple cancer types. Current AI systems are typically trained to perform specific tasks — such as detecting cancer presence or predicting a tumor’s genetic profile — and they tend to work only in a handful of cancer types. By contrast, the new model can perform a wide array of tasks and was tested on 19 cancer types, giving it a flexibility similar to that of large language models such as ChatGPT.
To be able to break the news of a terminal condition to the patient and the family requires a highly degree of empathy, care and communication skills that makes the presence of such a human doctor essential. The compassion of a human doctor is irreplaceable.
Chess is easy but consoling a patient is hard for AI
Tasks requiring high-level reasoning are relatively easy for computers, while tasks that humans find simple and intuitive—like perception, movement, and sensory integration—are surprisingly hard for machines.
Low-level skills (e. g. , walking, recognizing faces): These are effortless for humans but require extensive computational power and sophistication for machines. High-level reasoning (e. g. , solving math problems): These are more challenging for humans but comparatively easier to program into machines.
This is called Morevac’s Paradox
When someone is going up to perform on stage, we say, “break a leg”. A machine might translate “break a leg” literally, while humans understand it’s a way to wish someone good luck. To understand the difference between idioms and proverbs see this
Recognizing a song when it’s being hummed amidst background noise is where humans excel
Is growing up in a chaotic environment an advantage?
Just like humans have evolved to handle unstructured, sensory-rich environments more effectively than machines, societies like India thrive amidst unpredictability. Daily life in India involves navigating ambiguous rules, inconsistent systems, and social multiplicities—skills that encourage flexibility, creative problem-solving, and an intuitive grasp of complexity.
In a Mumbai local train, people instinctively negotiate limited space without a formal system, creating a functional, if chaotic, order. This kind of adaptability is harder to replicate in highly structured systems.
Mumbai’s local train
Structured monocultures are like playing chess—rules are fixed, predictable, and rigid. India is like improvisational jazz—disorderly on the surface but harmonious in its own way.
India’s complex, unpredictable environment is like a constant “bike-riding” lesson. Navigating chaos, diverse perspectives, and ambiguous rules builds skills like:
Adaptability: Thriving in uncertainty. Cognitive flexibility: Switching between different ways of thinking. Resilience: Bouncing back from challenges.
These are exactly the skills needed to lead global companies in today’s world! Structured societies are like well-organized factories – efficient but rigid. India is like a bustling marketplace – messy but adaptable. In a fast-changing world, the marketplace might have the edge. Let me what you think of this? Leave a comment
Book Review of Ping by Andrew Brodsky
In human evolutionary terms, we have had thousands of years of experience in communicating with other humans in person. When it comes to communicating virtually, it is a relatively recent phenomenon.
For example, on a zoom call, we look at the person’s eyes, instead of looking at the camera. Keeping the camera off in a meeting? If you are a remote worker, is it better to give a weekly report to your boss or give a one line update every day after work?
I got an early copy and really enjoyed reading the book.
The P-I-N-G Framework
Perspective Taking: This involves understanding how your message might be perceived by the other person. It involves crafting your message in a way that resonates with them and avoids any misinterpretations.
Initiative: This involves being proactive in your communication. It means choosing the right mode of communication, taking the lead in conversations, and following up after interactions.
Nonverbal:This involves being aware of the nonverbal cues you are sending in your communication. It includes things like your tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language. Even the time of sending the mail says something about you.
Goals: This involves being clear about your goals for each interaction. It means choosing the right mode of communication and crafting your message to achieve your objectives.