{"id":49585,"date":"2016-08-12T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-08-12T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/channeling-the-human-element-policy-procedure-and-process\/"},"modified":"2016-08-08T13:13:48","modified_gmt":"2016-08-08T13:13:48","slug":"channeling-the-human-element-policy-procedure-and-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/2\/32038\/trends\/channeling-the-human-element-policy-procedure-and-process","title":{"rendered":"Channeling the Human Element: Policy, Procedure and Process"},"content":{"rendered":"
Today people are implementing technology into every aspect of their lives and businesses, from smartphones<\/a> to the soon-to-be-ubiquitous monitoring and communication devices of the internet of things (IoT)<\/a>. While these technologies have simplified many things, people have greatly overlooked the human element and the need for commonsense risk control protocols to protect our resources when conducting affairs online. Individuals fail to fully consider the abilities, expectations and personalities of their coworkers, colleagues and friends.\n<\/p>\n We are hearing more about machine learning<\/a> and artificial intelligence<\/a>. It can only be assumed that our computers and devices will become more powerful, but will they become wiser? While some may argue that computers are becoming smarter, there is a point where artificial intelligence is purely artificial. That is where the human element comes in. We will atrophy if we adopt machine-to-machine (M2M)<\/a> and autonomous machine learning as our ultimate goal. (For more on the human-technology relationship, see 5 Weird Ways Technology Is Changing Our Behavior<\/a>.)\n<\/p>\n As of late we have seen numerous high-profile examples of what can and will go wrong when we let technology take the lead (i.e. Target and Sony hacks, both of which were the result of over-confidence). This didn\u2019t have to happen. Simply put, computers are not a panacea. They can\u2019t fix problems they don\u2019t know about, which means the human element is indispensable. Regardless of how strong or powerful our computers become, humans in leadership and operational positions will always be necessary to tell the computers what to do, what to look for, when and how to respond.\n<\/p>\n I don\u2019t believe that by giving machines more control we are inevitably going to end up in a war against the machines as in the movie, \u201cThe Terminator.\u201d However, who is it that we really want to empower, machines or people? (To learn more about the growth of artificial intelligence, see Don\u2019t Look Back, Here They Come! The Advance of Artificial Intelligence<\/a>.)\n<\/p>\n As human beings, we have inputted and stored more data in the past few years than in all of history. We did this with the help of interconnected computers utilizing complicated algorithms<\/a>, giving birth to big data<\/a> and all its benefits. Big data has the potential to help all mankind in myriad ways. Diseases can be cured, global warming can be exposed more readily, extinction of animals can be reduced and the world\u2019s water supply may be increased. Humans are closer to solving almost every world problem as a result of big data, cloud computing<\/a> and<\/i> human leadership in the form of command, control and coordination.\n<\/p>\n Just as this data is enlightening us, it is also making our computers more useful, yet computers learn from reoccurring inputs and it is our responsibility not to become lackadaisical towards our interaction with them. Computers find patterns, analyze them and auto-populate predictions.\n<\/p>\n For example, a patient goes to see his doctor. The doctor assumes that his new digital medical records system is completely accurate and doesn\u2019t bother to ask the patient about any new medications or supplements he may be taking. The doctor prescribes a new medication and this new medicine has an interaction with a medication that isn\u2019t listed on the patient\u2019s electronic medical record<\/a>. The patient has a terrible interaction and ends up in the hospital. Cases just like this are now occurring daily and are just the tip of the iceberg.\n<\/p>\n While data and networks are making our lives easier, we still need the human element to double check the computer. We need to keep our head in the game and this comes down to following policies, procedures and processes each and every time.\n<\/p>\nOver-Confidence in Technology?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Data Empowering People and Machines<\/span><\/h2>\n
Human Supervision Still Necessary<\/span><\/h2>\n