KUCHING: It is important that constant dialogues are held to engage the people so as to cope with rapid technological advancements.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg pointed this out in his speech at the Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors (PAQS) congress at a hotel here yesterday.
“While celebrated for their convenience and efficiency, technologies are also feared as they can render certain jobs obsolete thus threatening our very livelihood,” he said.
He likened technology to a double-edged knife, as it can just as easily be pointed in a regressive direction as a progressive one.
“The scariest technology can easily be misused and abused in an incredibly dangerous fashion. It is important to keep an eye on emerging technologies and monitor how they are used.”
The chief minister also recalled a time when he met Sophia, the world’s first humanoid robot, which impressed him.
“Very impressive indeed, but is still a machine programmed by humans. They lack the human wisdom,” he said.
On the theme of this year’s PAQS, ‘Human Wisdom Amidst Emerging Technologies’, he said it is timely.
“With human wisdom, we hope that there would be more celebration than fears of advancing technologies.”
In praise of the programme, he looked at it as an invaluable platform for exchange of wisdom to cope with the challenges of a volatile international economic environment under financial stress and a slowdown in global growth.
“There are already a lot of jaw-dropping current technologies that are affecting our day to day lives, and some are even potential national security threats,” he said.
“The stakes have never been higher as social media, advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, data analytics, augmented and virtual reality are being used for both constructive and destructive purposes.”
The chief minister opined that it is crucial that we keep an eye on the development of disruptive technologies for our own survival.
“We must use our collective wisdom to embrace and capitalise on the advances that these technologies bring and keep ourselves relevant,” he added.
Among those present at the function were Works Minister Baru Bian, Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia president Kwan Hock Hai, Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia president Datuk Seri Aziz Abdullah, PAQS chairman Francis Leung and organising chairperson Wan Ainon Zuraiha Khalid.
