This article first appeared in Digital Edge, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on December 25, 2023 - January 7, 2024

"The future is already here. It’s just unevenly distributed.” This aphorism by William Gibson, one of the most influential living writers of speculative fiction, in 2009 remains profoundly relevant.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has already had a pervasive impact on lives and has replaced our active power of choice for many years now. The emergence of generative AI, a new class of algorithms capable of crafting essays and presenting legal arguments, has begun to revolutionise our world, intensifying concerns about a potential displacement of human jobs by AI-driven technologies.

Amid the apprehension, the Digital Edge team believes the issue is not so simplistic. The advances in AI indicate that the technology can increasingly achieve more. Nevertheless, while certain roles are more vulnerable to these developments, adaptability and a strong human touch are not easily replicated by technology.

The Digital Edge team has high expectations when it comes to the capabilities of AI. The following are some of our aspirations for this transformative technology.

By Kiran Jacob

Imagine walking down the road, minding your own business, when you are jumped on by random strangers threatening your life. Heavy breaths, sweaty palms, racing thoughts and heart palpitations ensue. Your mind enters a maze with no way out. Thereafter, every dark corner and every noise gives you cold shudders.

This is how it feels when intrusive thoughts descend upon a person and cause anxious feelings and emotions.

An artificial intelligence (AI)-driven world promises a utopian future in which everything and anything is tailored to a person’s specific needs. I imagine a world rife with mental health issues where the possibilities of AI are able to manage the ups and downs of emotions, feelings and the dreaded intrusive thoughts.

Our body and mind are intertwined, to an extent we do not fully comprehend. I envision a world in which AI does that understanding for me. Using sensors, my mind and emotions will be fully calibrated.

When my breathing becomes shallow and fast, AI can remind me to slow down and practise my breathing exercises. When things become incomprehensible, AI can provide me — through superpersonalisation — with reading materials that would hit the right spot for me.

It is said that exercise and your dietary habits could also influence your mood. Thus, AI can tell me, “Hey, you need to drink a minimum of 200ml of water right away." Or, it could even tell me my body needs to go for a short walk of 20 minutes, or maybe even take a hot or cold shower, depending on what I need.

In this world, where AI can help us manage our mental health, I imagine a happier world, with everyone becoming well-adjusted. I just shudder at the thought of humans depending on AI to manage their mental health and, for some reason, the very AI that they depend on ceases to exist. What happens then?

By Vanessa Gomes

Smart home systems today can be quite sophisticated, enabling smart devices to be connected and managed with just a voice command. But imagine a home in which every inch of the home — from the cabinets to the wardrobe — is fitted with sensors to allow for personalisation and automation.

Not only will careless ol’ me never lose anything in the house ever again, but I can easily know what items need to be replenished when out shopping without the need to make a shopping list beforehand. And for a vertically challenged person (like me), it can also eliminate the need for ladders if storage space is digitised and automated.

Remote controlling will also be easier for things such as turning on the air conditioner when I’m reaching home on a hot day or preparing a hot cup of tea unprompted so that it’s ready when I open my eyes in the morning.

I believe AI will also allow the control of electricity and water usage at home, which will be a cost-saving element in the long run, as well as help reduce waste. There are forgotten corners of my home today where “carefully” kept objects have not seen daylight for decades … and take up useful storage space.

When the technology is refined in the future, it will also be useful for those who are disabled or need additional help around the house. While I’m looking at this from the viewpoint of having everything in the home being accounted for, it would be far more useful for persons with disabilities.

At the rate at which technology is evolving, I have no doubt that we will be able to see this come to life not too long from now. As for the price? It may take some time for it to be affordable, but the day will come.

By Arina Musthafa

In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare and wellness, the integration of AI has emerged as a transformative force, offering personalised and proactive solutions for individuals seeking to enhance their well-being, following the advent of next-generation self-care to foster a holistic lifestyle.

One significant aspect of next-gen self-care is the empowerment of women through health tracking technologies. AI-driven applications enable women to monitor various aspects of their health, from menstrual cycles to hormonal fluctuations, providing valuable insights for better self-awareness.

Sleep tracking is another pivotal feature offered by AI lifestyle coaches, addressing the critical role of sleep in overall well-being. By analysing sleep patterns and providing personalised recommendations, these coaches assist individuals in optimising their sleep hygiene, ensuring rejuvenating sleep and improved cognitive function.

Meal monitoring and the preparation of weekly meal plans further amplify the impact of next-gen self-care. AI algorithms consider nutritional requirements, dietary restrictions and individual goals to curate personalised meal plans, promoting a balanced and nourishing diet. This not only simplifies the process of meal preparation but also cultivates a sustainable and health-conscious approach to eating.

Facilitating exercise at home, AI coaches guide individuals through personalised workout routines tailored to their fitness levels and goals. By making exercise accessible and convenient, these coaches empower users to establish a regular exercise routine, fostering long-term health benefits.

Meditation and stress management are essential components of a holistic self-care approach. AI coaches can offer guided meditation sessions, aiding individuals in cultivating mindfulness and reducing stress levels.

Next-gen self-care with AI lifestyle coaches represents a paradigm shift in how we approach well-being, maintain healthy habits, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling lifestyle. As we continue to embrace tech advancements, the future of self-care looks promising, with AI playing a central role in promoting holistic health and wellness.

By Aris Riza Noor Baharin

Talk of how AI affects the new generation is usually centred on education. But AI’s impact on children is more than just in school; it is seen at home, too. But how would AI make an impact on childhood and help parents raise their children? What would its far-reaching effects be when this new generation that grows up with AI starts families of their own?

There are beginnings of AI use in parenting right now, with new parents asking AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants for advice on everything from feeding schedules to behavioural issues and development milestones.

In an increasingly digital world, with the rise of smart homes, wearable technology and more, parents will be able to better monitor their child’s well-being. If a child exhibits any symptoms of disease or mental illness, parents can consult the AI.

Parents would be able to track where their child is in the house, especially toddlers, ensuring they do not stray to potentially dangerous areas in the house. Cameras and home systems could send emergency messages to parents if a child breaks something or shows behavioural signs of distress.

Beyond the early years of parenting, AI and technology can be used throughout childhood and into adolescence. Educational software to help gamify learning using AI could be used to encourage home learning and nurture curiosity.

AI could also learn and track the likes and interests of the children and help them develop, informing parents of potential career paths and recommending ways to encourage and nurture skills. The same goes for dislikes and anxieties and how to help children through them.

Children are now using this technology, which is still in its infancy. These same children will one day raise the next generation. It is worth thinking about the effects that AI will have at home and how it could transform family dynamics in the near future.

By Pathma Subramaniam

Reaching 40 has been sobering. While I can attempt the feats of my 20s, the recovery now demands two days and a bottle of painkillers. In these musings, the realisation struck — perhaps it's time for that comprehensive medical check-up. It was then that I discovered a certain genomics technology, a marvel capable of sequencing more than 100 genomes from a mere 2ml of saliva, all for under US$1,000 and within a swift 48 hours — promising insights into my genetic predispositions to diseases and helping me make informed decisions about managing my health.

Given the advancements in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), I found myself contemplating the intriguing prospect of integrating this technology with genomics, which somehow triggered a “genetically generated midlife crisis” while ordering a cup of coffee.

I walk into my favourite café and order my usual latte but instead of the barista, I’m greeted by a holographic projection of my personalised AI assistant, Kutty.

“Good morning, Pathma! I've analysed your genomic data and I recommend that you take that extra shot of espresso to up your energy levels,” she says, with a knowing look.

See, Kutty doesn’t just have access to my biological blueprint but also a thorough insight into my erratic work patterns, social pages, exercise routine, eating and spending habits — and much more than I would like to admit — which means she has an uncanny knack for predicting my needs. She knows that, today, I’ll probably be spending the next eight hours glued to the PC. Damn.

Midlife crisis takes on a whole new meaning in this new world. Resigned to the intertwining of my existence with code and DNA, I take comfort in predictability. Kutty's suggestions extend my own thoughts, prompting reflection on whether this fusion of GenAI and genomics is a boon or a potential trap.

For now, I’m just glad that there's still space for spontaneity and unpredictability that make life extraordinary.

By Grace Yap Ern Hui

Imagine a city in which AI-generated art installations or murals on the walls and pavements grace your morning walks. As someone who has a love for city life and city photography, having the luxury of walking in a new canvas every day would be heaven.

Instead of a dull concrete jungle, imagine walking through a city guided by colourful murals, all generated by AI. With vibrant guides appearing on the pavements and holographic signs on the street, there will be no more directionless wandering around a foreign city.

With AI, the idea of a biophilic sustainable city with self-maintaining flora ecosystems might actually entice people to walk and enjoy the city views. With easy access to AI-powered transportation whenever and wherever, each city can build its own connected ecosystem.

And, hey, no more traffic jam headaches! If AI interconnects every transport alert and real-time data into a seamless connected system, I would imagine that the roads would flow much smoother, with people more inclined to use public transport.

But what would be really cool is how AI could help mitigate climate-change effects such as floods and heatwaves in the city.

A self-sustaining AI-powered ecocity with an abundance of thriving flora and a mix of autonomous holographic technology would definitely motivate me to go outdoors more. Incorporating a touch of art into technology would not only benefit people’s mental health while living in cities but also help in conservation.

By Ravinyaa Ravimalar

I have often wondered what it would be like to learn languages seamlessly and with a personalised tutor to help me master new languages without being subjected to the supervision of a hypercritical grammar police.

Here’s where I think AI will come to the rescue: In traditional educational settings, people often grapple with standardised lessons that fail to cater for their distinct learning styles and preferences.

With AI, however, language acquisition becomes a personalised journey. AI-incorporated applications will be equipped with sophisticated algorithms to analyse individual proficiency levels, learning patterns and preferences.

The result is a tailored curriculum that adapts to the user's unique strengths and weaknesses, ensuring an optimal and efficient learning experience, especially with the variety of structures each language has.

A standout feature of AI-powered language learning lies in its capacity to address the intricate nuances of pronunciation. For many beginner language learners like me, mastering the subtleties of intonation and phonetics can be a daunting task. I think AI steps in as a patient and perceptive virtual tutor.

Through real-time analysis, it will provide instant feedback, correct pronunciation and offer insights for improvement. This not only accelerates the learning process but will also instil a sense of confidence in learners.

Moreover, societal impact is also profound with AI-driven language tools. As these tools become ubiquitous, the prospect of a global community with enhanced communication capabilities comes into focus.

Language, often a barrier to understanding and connection, becomes a bridge. I can then freely communicate with just anyone without having a translator in between. In a utopia, I would love to speak flawless Korean with my favourite K-pop stars, and it will all be thanks to AI for mentoring me on my journey towards linguistic mastery.

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