Technology | “A lot of jobs are disappearing quickly,” says Miapetra Kumpula-Natri, a “technology freak” who has returned to parliament

Artificial intelligence will change working life, and it cannot be opposed, says the Sdp MP Miapetra Kumpula-Natri.

Kumpula-Natri returned to parliament from Brussels in the summer. He managed to sit in the EU Parliament for two terms, starting in 2014.

Kumpula-Natri was involved in negotiating the EU’s artificial intelligence regulation, which was approved in the spring. Adopted AI regulations prohibit AI applications that are deemed to threaten citizens’ rights.

Such applications include biometric classification systems based on sensitive characteristics. The regulation also imposes obligations on so-called high-risk artificial intelligence systems, which can, for example, sort job applications.

Kumpula-Natri says she is satisfied with the end result “in the big picture”.

“There has been talk of regulating the development of artificial intelligence in the EU. But if we do nothing, then we are not players, just a mere playing field for artificial intelligence.”

According to Kumpula-Natri, the approved rules ensure, for example, that the algorithm will not continue to independently, based on probabilities, decide whether a person gets, for example, a job, a bank loan or social security.

Turku university professor of sociology Jani Erola quoth In an interview with HS last week, that Finnish society must wake up to the rapid change that artificial intelligence brings with it. With artificial intelligence, a large part of middle-class, academic professions threatens to disappear.

This is a huge change in the labor market, which is relatively little talked about. Sdp, on the other hand, has defended the position of workers throughout its history. What does Kumpula-Natri demarina think about the change brought by artificial intelligence?

“The biggest question is what will happen to income distribution. If a person develops himself at work, he becomes more efficient, and efficiency is what we want in society. But does he get paid any more for his efficiency? Or will the additional income go to the companies, and the employee will receive the same salary as before?”

However, according to Kumpula-Natri, you can’t fight against it, that artificial intelligence will replace jobs.

“Yes, you should be prepared for such a scenario that a lot of jobs disappear quickly. What automation did to blue collar workers [työläisammatit]artificial intelligence is doing for white collar workers [asiantuntijat].”

The development of artificial intelligence means that new skills will be required of employees, says Kumpula-Natri.

“Will artificial intelligence replace the doctor? No, but a doctor who knows how to use artificial intelligence will replace a doctor who doesn’t learn it very quickly. This is what each of us must do and what Finland must do to be competitive. That we have companies and employees here who know how to utilize artificial intelligence.”

Engineer background Kumpula-Natri calls herself a “technology freak”.

“But I think the most important thing is to link technology to society and discuss what is good and ethical use.”

For example, he takes care of the elderly. The government has decided to prepare a law by next summer, which will enable technology to be calculated as part of nurse assessment. In other words, in the future there may be fewer caregivers in round-the-clock care for the elderly.

Kumpula-Natri tells about an occasion where she had a discussion on the topic with people of retirement age. Some of the pensioners found the reform appalling, when there already seem to be too few caregivers.

“I told her that what if the two-hour reporting time could be reduced to half an hour with artificial intelligence, which would give the nurse an extra hour and a half to treat the patient. What if it were made a condition that the technology be introduced only if it brings additional time to human work?”

The legislation planned by the government does not intend to do this, but the idea is specifically to achieve savings with the help of artificial intelligence, when there may be fewer caregivers.

So artificial intelligence can benefit Finnish society, we must be fully involved in its development, says Kumpula-Natri.

The artificial intelligence regulation now provides the framework for the industry’s development in Europe. According to Kumpula-Natri, there may be some minor refinements to the regulation this season as well.

Kumpula-Natri considers it an excellent thing that Finland just received the commissioner’s portfolio related to technology. Henna from Virkkus (kok) is becoming the vice-president of the EU Commission responsible for technological sovereignty, security and democracy.

What about the individual? Shouldn’t people have some way to adapt to the change instead of just having to wait for artificial intelligence to take their jobs?

According to Kumpula-Natri, it definitely should be. At this point, the new member of the parliament rambles Petteri Orpon (kok) government policy. The government has discontinued the adult education support, which has enabled those already stuck in working life to get more or completely re-educated.

“The easiest and simplest means of preparation is that everyone has the opportunity to retrain and get a job again. And the government is removing the adult education support right now, when the job crisis is so strong.”