**London**: Babak Hodjat, CTO of AI at Cognizant, anticipates a future where specialised AI agents streamline tasks and enhance productivity, while emphasising the necessity of cultural change alongside technological advancements to ensure responsible use and alignment with human values.
In a recent analysis by Babak Hodjat, Chief Technology Officer of AI at Cognizant, published in Consultancy.com.au, he reflects on the profound evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) since his initial involvement in the field during the late 1980s. From foundational work in multi-agent systems and natural language processing, which laid the groundwork for technologies like Siri, Hodjat now observes the advancements that have propelled generative AI into a realm where complex models can write, reason, and code. He expresses astonishment at these developments as he considers the trajectory that AI has taken.
As Hodjat looks ahead, he envisions a future where AI agents will become integral to a broad range of digital functions. Contrary to some expert predictions of a singular all-encompassing AI assistant taking command of the market, he foresees a network of specialised agents, each designed to perform specific tasks. “In most situations, any command you give a system will be sent to an AI agent that knows what to do, coordinating with other agents,” he explains. This collaborative network of agents is expected to streamline everyday tasks, exemplified by the future of holiday planning. Instead of manual research on flights and accommodations, he suggests that individuals will simply communicate their preferences to an AI agent, which will then liaise with various service providers to create a comprehensive itinerary based on budget and interests, all while hiding the underlying complexities.
Hodjat further describes the transformative potential of AI agents in the business sector. These agents could seamlessly interact across departments, tackling tasks in finance, legal, IT, and HR without requiring users to understand the intricate workings behind the scenes. He posits that such automation could lead to a significant reduction in redundancies and bureaucracy, resulting in unprecedented productivity gains reminiscent of the impact computers had on work processes.
Despite the optimistic outlook, Hodjat emphasises that technological progress must be accompanied by cultural change. He argues that society needs to move away from viewing AI as mere software with predictable functions and instead treat it as a knowledge worker, capable of unpredictability and opaque reasoning. “We can measure their performance and deploy them in ways that software alone could never handle,” he notes. This shift marks a significant departure from previous iterations of human-supporting tools, moving toward a model where AI complements human roles rather than replaces them.
While this advance into a more integrated future may alleviate many mundane tasks, Hodjat acknowledges the importance of the human element in this transition. He suggests humans will play an essential role in guiding AI development to ensure that it enhances human capabilities and aligns with ethical standards. “The real risk isn’t AI itself – it’s how we, as humans, choose to use it,” he cautions.
Concerns regarding the misuse of AI are prevalent in discussions surrounding its development, and Hodjat recognises these worries as valid. He underscores the need for a responsible approach to AI, advocating for strong moral direction in its adoption and evolution to prevent unchecked misuse.
Ultimately, Hodjat’s vision encapsulates a future in which AI agents enhance human productivity and creativity, allowing individuals to focus on value-driven work. He concludes by asserting that while AI will play an increasingly pivotal role in the workplace, humans will remain the central driving force, ensuring that AI is developed and used in alignment with societal values and ambitions.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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