2023-09-30 18:38:24
A little more than 30 years ago, computer pioneer Mark Weiser published his far-sighted essay “The Computer for the 21st Century,” in which he reflected on where progress in computer science might one day lead. “The most profound technologies are the ones that disappear. “They weave themselves into everyday life until they can no longer be distinguished from it,” he said.
And coined a term that aptly describes what is currently happening: ubiquitous computing. Because computer chips and sensors have become steadily faster, smaller, more versatile and, above all, dramatically cheaper, computers now have an impact in almost all areas of life, both private and professional. They are a constant companion – and they are part of the environment. This has made everyday life much easier and, for example, created options for choice and networking around the globe on an unprecedented scale.
Of course, this development is not over, on the contrary. In very different areas, computer scientists, engineers and materials scientists are working to further push the limits of what can be calculated using new hardware and software. Practically usable quantum computers would be a huge next step. Artificial intelligence (AI) in particular is currently inspiring the imagination of many decision-makers in business, science and politics.
Don’t constantly introduce new social benefits
It’s actually impressive what popular language systems like GPT 4, Claude 2, Bard or Luminous can do. Every company, every government agency and every individual professional essentially has to deal with what this means for him or her. It cannot be ruled out that AI will create new competition in markets that have long been considered distributed and virtually invulnerable due to the enormous size of some providers, such as online trading or internet searches. Elon Musk has recently shown in the automotive and space industries that no established industry is actually “safe” when a new technology and exceptional entrepreneurial effort come together.
Once again the question arises as to whether and how well Germany is prepared for this disruption. New networks have emerged in AI research. The number of chairs and researchers has increased, for example at the two universities in Munich, starting from the TU Darmstadt in Hesse or Max Planck in Tübingen. The young Heidelberg AI company Aleph Alpha demonstrates that not only IT companies with billions of dollars can develop and operate language models.
What also speaks for Germany – and especially for Bavaria – is that the American Internet giants have set up large branches and development centers, so they obviously find highly qualified staff and wealthy customers in this country. And it is also true that German industry, including the many still successful medium-sized companies, is far from hopelessly left behind. They have valuable product and production process data that can be made even more useful using AI – and that no tech company can easily find on the Internet and use to train their models. The same also applies to agriculture.
Philipp Slusallek Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 3 Alexander Armbruster and Sven Astheimer Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 74 Martin Korte Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 18
Nevertheless, there is great danger. Fundamentally changing established business models or established (and long-successful) structures is never trivial. This cannot be outsourced or delegated to work groups. It is not uncommon for technical change to only succeed if it is accompanied by a cultural counterpart.
Ultimately, the political framework conditions must be right. IT will require even more electricity in the future, even though it will certainly become more energy efficient. Electricity must be affordable at internationally competitive prices – a little less climate-planned economy seems advisable; It is not dramatic if some annual goals are not achieved to the second decimal place, as long as the direction is correct in the medium term.
Instead of constantly introducing new social benefits or expanding existing ones, it would also be appropriate to reduce the tax and contribution burden for those who work a lot and earn well. Yes, these are well-known classic location factors that do not only apply to the digital economy. But there too.
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