Ep 23: The Future of AI, Automation and Humanity

In this episode of The AI Grapple, we dive deep into the future of AI with Arshad Hisham, a global leader in AI, robotics, and automation. As the CEO of InGen Dynamics, Arshad has spearheaded the development of AI-driven solutions across industries, built an $80 million revenue pipeline, and secured over $157 million in funding. He is also an Edison Award silver medalist, a board advisor to multiple technology companies, and a driving force behind AI and robotics education programs.

This conversation covers everything from the reality of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and the accelerating AI boom to the ethical dilemmas and safety challenges we must address. Arshad shares his insights on AI’s role in healthcare, business, and education while unpacking the geopolitical tensions, business model disruptions, and workforce shifts that will define the next decade.

Key Highlights & Takeaways 🚀 The Future of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI): Are We Closer Than We Think?

• Arshad explains why AGI is both an exciting and unpredictable frontier, with AI systems already displaying near-human capabilities in some areas.
• The real question: Do we even need AGI, or should we focus on highly specialised AI models that solve specific problems more effectively?
• The rapid advancements in physics-based AI training: Robots are now learning in simulated environments for what would equate to 10,000 years of human training - within just 40 minutes.
• The real intelligence debate: Is AI just predicting patterns, or is it evolving toward true reasoning, common sense, and self-reflection?

🧠 AI vs. Human Intelligence: Will AI Complement or Replace Us?

• Historical parallels: Just as calculators, computers, and the internet didn’t make us “dumber,” AI has the potential to enhance human intelligence rather than replace it.
• The real challenge is not AI itself, but how humans choose to use it. Will we leverage AI as a tool for greater productivity, or will we become overly dependent on it?
• Why education must shift from static learning to lifelong, AI-driven upskilling.

📈 The AI Boom & Business Transformation: The End of Traditional Business Models?

• AI is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace - what once took decades to change is now happening in just a few years.
• The rise of one-person unicorn companies: AI is lowering the barriers to entry, allowing solo entrepreneurs to scale businesses faster than ever.
• The SaaS model, billable hours, and other long-standing business structures are on the verge of disruption as AI automates traditional workflows.

⚠️ AI Safety & Regulation: Are We Ready for the Consequences?

• One of the biggest risks with AI isn’t malicious intent - it’s unintentional consequences from poorly designed or misused models.
• The geopolitical chess game of AI development: Nations are racing to dominate AI, but without proper global collaboration, safety measures could be compromised.
• Short-term thinking is the biggest danger. Unlike past technologies, where mistakes could be corrected, AI’s risks could be irreversible - leading to societal or even existential threats.
• The importance of explainable AI: If we don’t understand how AI systems make decisions, how can we ensure they are safe and ethical?

🏥 AI in Healthcare: Transforming an Overburdened System

• Arshad’s work with AI-driven healthcare companions aims to revolutionise elder care, special needs support, and medical efficiency.
• How AI can improve accessibility in healthcare - reducing strain on overworked systems like the NHS and enabling more personalized patient support.
• The ethical challenge: How do we balance automation with human care? AI should support, not replace, the critical human element in medicine.

📚 The Future of Education: Preparing for an AI-Powered Workforce

• AI-driven tutors: Hyper-personalised learning that adapts to a student’s strengths, weaknesses, and interests.
• The shift away from traditional classroom models - students don’t want to sit through passive lectures anymore. AI is reshaping learning into interactive, project-based education.
• The rise of “AI for All” programs: Arshad has designed AI education initiatives for executives, students, and professionals across industries, ensuring people are prepared for the coming changes.

💼 Workforce Disruption: Will AI Take Our Jobs?

• The uncomfortable truth: AI will replace some jobs, but it will also create new ones - we must focus on reskilling and adaptation.
• Why a global AI backlash is coming - we’re already seeing industries push back against AI-driven automation, from Hollywood writers to supermarket workers.
• How governments and businesses can proactively prepare for AI-driven employment shift