Artificial intelligence: a new technology or a new paradigm?
On November 30, 2023, INCIPE held a virtual event entitled Artificial Intelligence: a new technology or a new paradigm? with the participation of José María de la Fuente, Sr Sales Manager Manufacturing & Resources, Microsoft; David Hurtado, Innovation Lead, Microsoft; and Marcos Bauer, Chief Information Officer (CIO), Técnicas Reunidas. The meeting was presented by the Ambassador and Secretary General of INCIPE, Manuel Alabart. The presentation was followed by a round of questions moderated by Vicente Garrido, General Director of INCIPE.
David Hurtado focused his speech on trying to clarify some of the main doubts that have been arising around the revolution that generative artificial intelligence has brought about. He began by explaining where we are now, with artificial intelligence as a productivity assistant, making it clear that this technology is not capable of thinking or reasoning on its own, but consists of a mathematical system that works with algorithms.
Hurtado goes on to describe how it has evolved over the last fifty years, explaining the leaps that have been made, from artificial intelligence that began in the year 56; to machine learning that, starting in 1997, dealt with translating data into predictions; later to deep learning in 2017, which was capable of solving more complex problems; and currently the leap that has been made towards generative artificial intelligence, which began in 2021, and which thanks to training the model with a huge volume of data, is capable of handling language very effectively.
He goes on to explain the three major areas of disruption that generative artificial intelligence is creating. First, the infrastructure to make this intelligence reach everyone; then, the data-driven models; and finally, the way in which this intelligence lands at the end user, which is called a ‘co-pilot‘, as it works as a productivity assistant.
De la Fuente, meanwhile, talks about the revolution in the world of infrastructure, as all the advances that have occurred around artificial intelligence could not have materialised without an advance in computing power. He also highlights two major constraints that can exist when developing these infrastructures: the large amount of energy required to run them, and the need to create chips and processors. Finally, Hurtado and de la Fuente focus on the ethical implications and responsibility, highlighting the importance of regulation, security, and privacy protection.
Marcos Bauer then explained the implementation of artificial intelligence in Técnicas Reunidas, which since 2018, identified the integration of this new technology as a key factor in maintaining competitiveness. This led the company to join the INDESIA association in 2021, which aims to promote the use of artificial intelligence in the industrial sector; and in 2023, to create its own data and artificial intelligence area. He also stressed the need to be prepared for this change that is taking place, and therefore emphasised the importance of training, the ethical use of this intelligence, and governance, which must be linked to data management.
Regarding the impact of this intelligence within the company itself, Bauer explains several examples that will be implemented in the internal dynamics, such as the incorporation of ChatGPT through TEAMS for the entire organisation, the optimisation in the acquisition of materials through machine learning, the recognition through artificial intelligence of graphic elements in plans, or the generation of detailed reports through the development of robotic processes.
At the end of the session, a debate took place, in which participants asked questions on issues such as the distinction between machine and deep learning, the dichotomy between ethics and profit in the field of artificial intelligence, and the difference between human and artificial intelligence. The risks and challenges of this technology were also discussed, underlining the importance of ensuring that its development is always accompanied by governance and ethical use. In addition, the enormous economic resources needed for its development were discussed, as well as the incorporation of this technology in the field of business and the possibility of achieving the so-called ‘artificial general intelligence’. Finally, the importance of regulating the development and use of this new technology was discussed.
Elena Ferro
INCIPE
