AI could replace millions of jobs, warns “Godfather of AI”

By Syed Hashim Abbas Bukhari  In the age-old debate about the pros and perils of Artificial Intelligence (AI), one of the main stances of the Luddites is the absence of emotions in AI thus making it ill equipped to handle situations requiring empathy and emotional intelligence. However, one could argue that this point of distinction between humans and AI is rapidly vanishing as we witness our younger generation increasingly suffering from the phenomenon of emotional desensitization. Let us take a walk through the realms of social media. When our country was fighting a war, the younger generation was engaged in its own meme war on social media, seemingly unaware of the seriousness and gravity of the situation. Whether the world was on the brink of World War 3, facing a new global pandemic or staring down the barrel of rocketing oil prices, the reaction of the younger generation showed alarming levels of emotional desensitization. Instead of intellectual debates, protests, or striving to find a solution, the younger generation indulges in creating memes designed to generate nothing more than likes, shares, and comments. According to researchers, emotional desensitization is a form of emotional numbing or habituation where a situation that triggered a strong feeling no longer affects you as intensely. This is becoming a rising area of concern for our elders who equate our response to these dire and serious situations as a lack of maturity and emotional sensitivity on our part. The argument presented over here is that owing to our access to endless streams of information our generation should be more emotionally evolved as compared to our predecessors. The reality, however, seems contrary to this belief, as our exposure to warfare, natural disasters, and other calamities increases, our levels of emotional sensitivity has seemingly taken a nosedive. The question that should be raised is whether we should be classified as emotionally desensitized or is it our generation just whistling past the graveyard. It is a basic human psychology that when we experience grief or trauma, which is too much to process, we use various coping mechanisms. For some of us it may be anger, humor, violence or isolation but we all have coping mechanisms enabling us to survive various emotionally charged experiences. A study of social behaviors reveals that with the passage of time we have changed our coping mechanisms. In the past humans used to display their emotional trauma or suffering through anger and sought comfort through social gatherings. In the case of our generation, social media has taken the place of social gatherings, and anger has been replaced with humor. Thus, the endless stream of memes, reels, and shorts on every emotionally charged event.  Our stance on mental health, gender equality, racism, climate change, and countless other previously ignored or snubbed issues prove us to be a more emotionally sensitive and mature generation. We are the generation that believe that actions speak louder than words. We may seem to be whistling past the various graveyards or making light of serious situations but we are the generation that is breaking down the glass ceiling, bringing down the walls of inequality, and trying to build a society that embodies the morals and values of justice, kindness, and integrity for all. With each new generation the prioritization of emotionally sensitive areas may change, the coping mechanisms may be adapted according to the changing environment, or ways to display emotions may evolve but the thing to understand is that we haven’t become emotionally disengaged or desensitized, we are only embracing our emotions in our own distinct way. As Hazrat Ali (AS) said: “Do not force your children to behave like you, for surely they have been created for a time which is different to your time.”

Scientists at the University of Texas in the United States have developed an advanced wearable patch that may help people enter REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep more quickly and remain in this stage for longer without surgery or medication. According to scientists, the device called NEUSLeeP combines electrodes that monitor brain activity in real time. Researchers say the technology can target deeper areas of the brain associated with REM sleep while simultaneously monitoring the brain’s response. Scientists tested the patch on 28 people and the findings were published in the scientific journal Nature Communications. According to the study, people using the device entered REM sleep an average of 43 minutes earlier and spent approximately 16 additional minutes in this stage. The effect was observed both in healthy individuals and in people experiencing sleep problems. Participants reported that the patch was comfortable to wear while only minimal side effects were observed during the study. Researchers also found that ultrasound treatment caused certain changes in the body associated with stress regulation. Among healthy participants, a significant increase in heart-rate variability was observed which is generally associated with the body’s ability to cope with and respond to stress. Changes were also observed in brain circuits involved in emotional processing during brain imaging. According to researchers, these findings are important because disruptions in REM sleep have been linked to mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Scientists emphasized that further large-scale research is needed before NEUSLeeP can be used as a standard treatment. Future studies are planned to determine whether the technology could also be effective for people experiencing chronic insomnia, depression and PTSD.

By Zahid Karim It is true that terrorism remains one of the most serious national security challenges of Pakistan. It has blighted the plant of peace, progress and prosperity. Although, time and again efforts have been made to eradicate this cancerous evil, it has deeply embedded ideological, political, and socio-economic roots in the society. It has not only weakened the socio-economic fabric of the society but also tarnished the image of the country across the globe.  At the moment, Pakistan is experiencing a resurgence of terrorism, particularly in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan. There is no place or aspect of life where terrorism and extremis has not shown its ugly face. No one is safe either in office or home from militants, extremists and terrorist. It is evident from the recent deadly attack on rangers installation in Karachi. Before it, a suicide car bomb targeted a passenger train transporting military personnel and their families at Chaman Phatak station in Quetta, killing at least 24 people and injuring over 50 others. Besides, the suicide bomb attack at the Khadija Tul Kubra mosque in the Tarlai Kalan area of Islamabad killed at least 31 people and injured 169 others. In fact, the widespread, coordinated terrorist atrocities across the province of Baluchistan including Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung, and Nushki, resulting in significant casualties. Sadly, the car bombing at Mir Ali Area of North Waziristan which led to the loss of some 13 soldiers and 3 civilians added further fuel to the fire. Similarly, the bold daylight attack of Sorab, Baluchistan, Khuzdar school bus suicide and fatal hijacking of Jafar Express reveal the helplessness and haplessness of the security agencies of the country. Interestingly, many security operations have been carried out but their gains are not so encouraging. Indeed, the lasting peace requires more than military might. It needs social justice, education, economic development, and strong institutions.  As a matter of fact, without paving the way for political stability, economic prosperity, social justice and religious harmony, sustainable peace remains only a daydream. It requires social healing, reconciliation, and national unity. It is not just military operations, airstrikes, and crackdowns that can resolve the daunting issue. Of course, the root causes are deeply entrenched in social, economic, ideological, and political structures, not merely in armed insurgency. These may include poverty and unemployment, illiteracy and radical education, social injustice and political exclusion and Religious intolerance and sectarianism. Thus, Pakistan needs social reforms—not just military solutions—to effectively eliminate terrorism.  More importantly, military solutions are not alone sustainable and viable. Military action may abolish imminent threats, but it cannot address the root causes. Besides, force is necessary only to dismantle militant networks but long-term stability requires deep social reforms to address the root causes of radicalization. Military operations like Zarb-e-Azb, Rah-e-Rast etc have only degraded militant groups but failed to eradicate them completely.  Education is the foremost remedy to discourage radicalization in the society. Promotion of education infuses tolerance, peace and critical thinking.  It has capacity to augment intellect, widens vision and produces a refined and cultured human being. It equips the poverty-ridden youth to become productive part of the society. In this connection, curricula should be modernized. Besides, madrassas education should be regulated to prevent the spread of extremist ideologies. It is through quality, inclusive, and modern education that radicalism can be discouraged. Furthermore poverty alleviation and provision of economic opportunities is another panacea for extremism and terrorism. Ironically, insufficiency of economic opportunities creates frustration, deprivation, and anxiety among the youth. It makes them vulnerable to fall prey to the extremist and militants for financial incentives. Undoubtedly, investing in economic development, job creation, and vocational training provide them a peaceful path. In addition to this, provision of social justice is another cure to win hearts and minds of the people. Rampant violation of human rights and extra-judicial killings imparts resentment and revenge. An inefficient and corrupt criminal justice system erodes public trust. It leads individuals to seek alternative forms of “justice” to address their unsettled grievances. Thus, sustainable peace can also be achieved through fair, accessible, and efficient justice system and police frameworks.  Moreover, since her inception, Pakistan has been witnessing poor social cohesion and interfaith harmony among its population. It has led them towards violence and terrorist activities to get accepted their different vendettas.  Indeed, national integration and cohesion should also be fostered among the disgruntled sections of the society. Steps that foster dialogue, understanding, and respect among different communities, sects, and religious groups should be taken on war footing basis. In turn, it helps to dismantle the sectarian and ethnic divisions that extremist groups exploit. This builds a stronger national identity that transcends narrow affiliations. Additionally, prolonged military operations also cause political instability and adverse repercussion, especially when tangible improvements in security mechanism are not attained. Since, inception Pakistan has been witnessing widespread political instability. In turn, this phenomenon foments terrorism by creating governance vacuums and weakening of law enforcement apparatus. It allows militant groups to exploit social, economic, and political grievances of the masses. Ironically, frequent regime changes and civil-military discord distract authorities from security. It provides safe havens for groups like the TTP and other so-called terrorist organization. This contaminated environment of political polarization allows extremist groups to fill the void by promoting sectarianism and radicalization, which further destabilizes the state.  Political stability is essential to knock down the terrorism in Pakistan. It provides the foundation for effective governance, the rule of law, economic development, and social cohesion. Political stability allows the state to address the fundamental causes of terrorism, including poverty, inequality, sectarianism and ideological basis of terrorism.  It is also a matter a fact that when the state fails to provide justice, security, or basic services, people may turn to non-state actors. Lack of rule of law, poor governance, unbridled corruption, has added fuel to the fire. Strengthening of rule of law, police reforms, and transparent governance reduce extremism. It has capacity to manage the anger and disillusionment

 By Saman Aftab We are so habitual of listening to the gender inequality, women empowerment, and ever growing population talks that now these topics have become an essential subject for the matter of discussing societal issues. But what we people have lacked to unravel is the very essence of these debates. Why gender inequality exists? Why we are still lagging behind in terms of employing more women? Why we are unable to control the growing rate of population in our country? Before addressing the ‘absolutely unavoidable’ questions, let me take the readers down an irksome memory lane of my life. Last year when our maid broke the news of her pregnancy to us, our most obvious question was why now? Considering her age which was 42 years that time and her financial grim along with unsupportive role of her husband in bearing the burden of their five children, this question clicked in every mind. And her answer though not surprising was quite gloomy for the existence of every female in this world; “baji, larka chahye humen” (we need a boy). She had four daughters and a deaf son. Her statement broke my heart because it questioned the capabilities of her daughters who were all physically and mentally sound. This memory was not worth forgetting because as a female it made me feel inferior. But this Babygirl vs Babyboy thing is not new, in fact it is one of the most deeply rooted concerns of our society. The normalcy of demanding the birth of a boy from a married woman is consolidating with the passage of time. The worst part of this matter – it’s getting acceptance. Ironically, majority of mothers in law showcase such demands to the newly married couple, as if it is in their hands to ‘design’ the genetic make-up of their offspring. The heart wrenching memory got afresh, when Tabassum shared her so called good news with us. Tabassum, 35 years old woman who works as a maid in three houses, a mother of four girls is expecting again for the sake of receiving a son this time. Her good news reminded me of her last fourth delivery when she gave birth to a girl in government hospital and she was made to give her daughter to a rich family on the persuasion of her drug addict husband. Whether they got money in return was dubious but chances of such happening were bright. I really hope and pray that this time she gets a son, otherwise the couple will continue to bring unwanted girls in this world and ruin their lives. For all the existing daughters of this couple are living a dark and disowned life. This brutal reality of life is not constrained to lower class people and it has crossed the demarcation of social groupings based on all classes, religions and races. Let us take an example of my sister’s friend, who is married to a well-established businessman and living in a posh locality. The poor lady who has a rich family, is a mother of two cute little girls. Although the little girls born to riches are living a good life, their mother is undergoing severe mental anxiety and pressure for not having a son. And of course, she for the sake of getting rid of such pressure is planning to have another baby neglecting her present deteriorating health condition. Unfortunately, the instances are innumerable and the rate of their occurrences is increasing day by day. Why boy child is mostly preferred over girl child? The answer lies in the heart of several burdens tied with bringing up a girl till her marriage. Among so many liabilities, the extra protection needed by the girls in our society and the curse of dowry have aggravated the scenario to such an extent that today girls are seen as “misfortune”. Of course exceptions are always there. Let us shift the focus from this melancholy to addressing those “absolutely unavoidable” questions raised earlier. 1: Gender inequality; Homo sapiens (humans) are generally categorized into three groups namely man, woman and transgender. Men are always ranked superior for enormous reasons but if we see things more pragmatically, it becomes evident that parents are left with sons in their old age while their daughters somehow abandon them and serve in laws for the rest of their lives. Call it our family system, it is the way it is. Then how can girls be loved or demanded? For voicing rights for equality, women should also bear the responsibilities equally. If a woman is capable of doing an employment being educated or skilled, she must pursue it for sake of giving all the best of resources to her parents that are expected of a son. The root cause of inequality among genders is the leverage given to men of being more useful and thus more needed. As long as the share of women in the society is constrained only to domestic chores and family caretaking, this inequality will never fade away. More women should be encouraged to become financially sufficient and independent. But how? This leads to our second question. 2: Women empowerment; there should be more campaigning with regards to educating girls and investing in their skill building. More powerful the educational background of a woman is, more will be the chances of her getting a good job for the sake of financial security. Thus, the number of women working for the betterment of society and raising capital will rise exponentially. And finally once these two milestones are achieved, the third ordeal of our country will evade automatically. 3: Overpopulation: as discussed in the start, demand and desire for the birth of a son has contributed a lot more towards overpopulation. Men are expected to take care of their parents but the same goes for women also. And in this age of compatibility, women should come forward and play a vital part in developing this society. Instead of placing all the