It is increasingly
being recognized that many individuals on the spectrum have significant potential
and value as computer code developers, as programmers. Factually, several major
technology companies have established focused corporate programs to embrace and
develop the potential of this unique human resource. It is becoming ever more understood
that autistic persons are another type of true person – an autistic person, and
as such in many instances they possess extraordinary insight and focus. I
believe that the present, conventional view of an autistic individual as simply a
great programmer is about to change and change dramatically. Why?
There are a
very few things if any, in today’s world of technology that garners more
attention than the advance and the future of artificial intelligence (AI) ‘systems’.
From Stephan Hawking to Elon Musk to Bill Gates it seems, everyone has an
opinion about its dangers and benefits to mankind. My view is that AI does
represent a potential path forward for the salvation of a human race that seems
to have missed the opportunity to save “its” planet or have moved soon enough and
fast enough to prepare an escape to populate another planet in our solar system.
AI represents another opportunity. The merits of differing views are a debate
for another day. The march towards AI will continue. It is here that autistic
individuals with their unique facilities will soon be found to be our “Star-gate
guides”.
One of the
most intense sectors of focus is on the integration and embedding of AI in the development
of humanoid robots. Let’s look at this for a moment. Here, we are trying to get
these robots to ‘learn’ how to interface with humans, how to recognize the
emotional state of a human, how to understand its own environment - in sum,
embody a ‘cognitive capacity’. IBM offers the following attributes to help define
cognitive embodiment: personalization, liveness, agency, and presence. In
essence, we are trying to overcome and develop in robots much of the very same challenges
autistic individuals face every day. I think you see my point…who better to advance
AI than individuals with practiced insights in how to actually address these
exact challenges.
I believe that
we will see technology prone autistic individuals leap to the next level one that
is above basic computer programming by being our guides in the emerging world
of robots and AI. Who better to teach than an experienced individual? My faith
in humanity’s destiny is that we have been given in some autistic persons
the knowledge and insights to help us get it right.
Mike Radice is Chairman of the
Technology Advisory Board for ChartaCloud ROBOTTECA More can be seen about Mike
on LinkedIN and about ROBOTTECA at www.robotteca.com
