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Someone asked me a few days ago, since I've been promoting Artificial Intelligence and its multifaceted use.
A good question: "How can AI benefit the poor?"
I do not know the intention of the person asking (who is politically motivated and the way he asked in a quite cynical mode or perhaps he is simply curious) but I'm going to answer it anyway. (not for him but for everyone reading this article)
Took me a while to do some research and I can come out with some ways (possibly can be done in the near future in Malaysia - but surprisingly many countries are already using them - at least at the inception stage) that AI can help the poor (where some of them, I am seriously considering using with the help of some "nerdy friends":
a. Identifying poverty-stricken regions -
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used to analyze satellite imagery and other data to identify areas where poverty is concentrated. This information can then be used to target interventions and resources to those areas.
b. Providing access to education and healthcare -
AI can be used to develop educational tools and resources that are tailored to the needs of poor communities. It can also be used to improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery, making it more accessible to people living in poverty.
c. Improving agricultural productivity -
AI can be used to develop new agricultural technologies that can help to increase crop yields and improve food security. This can be especially helpful in developing countries where poverty is often linked to food insecurity.
d. Enhancing financial inclusion -
AI can be used to develop new financial products and services that are accessible to people living in poverty. This can help to break the cycle of poverty by providing people with the tools they need to save, invest, and build their businesses.
e. Promoting social inclusion -
AI can be used to develop new tools and technologies that can help to promote social inclusion. This includes things like chatbots that can provide mental health support, or AI-powered translation tools that can help people communicate across language barriers.
These are just a few of the ways that AI can help the poor. As AI technology continues to develop, we can expect to see even more innovative ways to use AI to address the root causes of poverty and improve the lives of people living in poverty.
Surprisingly some of the AI elements are already in place (how cool is that) designed to aid the poor:
i. United States
AI is being used to develop a new type of educational tool that can help students learn to code. The tool, called Codecademy, uses AI to personalize the learning experience for each student. This helps students learn at their own pace and focus on the areas where they need the most help.
ii. Kenya
AI is being used to develop a chatbot that can provide financial advice to people living in poverty. The chatbot, called M-Akiba, is able to assess a person's financial situation and recommend savings and investment products that are tailored to their needs.
iii. India
AI is being used to develop a new type of crop insurance that is more affordable and accessible to farmers. The insurance is based on AI-powered weather models that can predict the likelihood of crop failure. This allows farmers to get insurance even if they don't have a traditional credit history
Future Impacts
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly impact the lives of the poor by addressing various challenges they face and providing solutions in multiple domains.
Here are some trades/industries that I foresee how AI can potentially have positive impacts on poverty :
1.0 Healthcare
AI can enhance healthcare accessibility and affordability for the poor by providing accurate and quick diagnoses, especially in areas with limited medical resources. AI algorithms can analyze medical data, identify patterns, and assist in the early detection of diseases. Since we already have telemedicine platforms, they can be enhanced further by AI to connect patients in remote areas with healthcare professionals.
2.0 Education
I've said this before and I'm going to say this again :
AI can improve access to quality education for disadvantaged communities. Intelligent tutoring systems can offer personalized learning experiences, adapt to individual student needs, and provide educational content in different languages. AI-powered chatbots can also provide guidance and support to students, especially those lacking access to traditional educational institutions.
3.0 Agriculture
AI can enhance agricultural productivity and reduce poverty in rural areas. AI-powered technologies can provide farmers with information about weather patterns, crop diseases, and optimal planting and harvesting times. By analyzing soil data, AI can offer recommendations for optimal fertilization and irrigation techniques, leading to increased yields and reduced costs.
4.0 Financial Services
AI-driven tools can expand financial inclusion by providing banking and financial services to the poor. AI algorithms can assess creditworthiness and offer microloans to individuals without a traditional credit history. Chatbots and virtual assistants can also assist with financial planning, budgeting, and offering guidance on financial literacy.
5.0 Disaster Response
AI can aid in disaster response and management to mitigate the impact on vulnerable populations. Machine learning algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data from various sources (such as social media, satellite imagery, and sensors) to predict and detect disasters, improve emergency response times, and allocate resources more effectively.
6.0 Employment and Skills Training
AI can help the poor acquire new skills and access employment opportunities. Online platforms powered by AI can provide vocational training, matching job seekers with suitable positions. AI algorithms can analyze labor market trends and provide insights to governments and organizations, enabling them to create targeted policies and programs to uplift the poor.
Despite the great potentials, we may also have to deal with challenges such as data biases, ethical considerations, and the need for proper infrastructure and resources to ensure equitable access.
However, when implemented responsibly and inclusively, AI can contribute to reducing poverty and empowering marginalized communities.
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