Padma Bhushan awardee Shekhar Kapur, known for his insights into the realms beyond perception, is delving into the significance of artificial intelligence in the context of the 5th industrial revolution. He has shared his philosophical thoughts on how AI will shape the future and the structure of organizations.
On Thursday, the filmmaker expressed his reflections on X, formerly known as Twitter, regarding the intriguing world of AI.
Key Insights on AI and Organizations
Kapur began with a thought-provoking question: “Will your organisation survive AI?” He described AI as perhaps the most democratic technology available to humanity.
He stated, “AI will change everything. It’s an existential change to the way we live, the way we work, the way we communicate. But it’s also a complete change in how we organise ourselves into structures. Maybe we should stop calling it ‘Structure’. For ‘Structure’ suggests some permanence. In the world of AI, change is constant. Change at an unprecedented pace. AI will suck inertia out of existing structures—out of the pathways of hierarchical command systems, causing the ‘pyramidal’ structures to collapse.”
Kapur further questioned, “What does an organisation look like in the world of AI? With no hierarchy, no chain of commands? No structure? Of course, one might wonder ‘why do we need organisations’. The reason is that like most living beings, we are tribal.”
He elaborated, “We need to group together. Whatever we’re told about individualism by the so-called Gurus falls false, for are they not themselves creating tribalism around themselves? Let’s look at ‘the murmurings of the sparrows’ where flocks of hundreds or thousands form patterns in the sky, changing their paths instantly with no apparent leader or follower. What’s at work here is Intuition. Each sparrow is intuitively connected to the group. Intuition will guide our new way of organising, and these groups will never be permanent. Individuals will constantly move from one tribe to another. So don’t look for permanent employees anymore. Everyone will have the capacity to be their own CEO, exploring their own potential. It’s no longer about employees losing jobs; the CEOs too are under threat. That’s just a lie ‘employers’ tell themselves, struggling to accept the real impact of AI that is coming or already here.”
He continued, “Knowledge and information (even education) is no longer the preserve of the few. AI will ensure it is available to anyone. And experience? It is a word that is either passing or has passed its due date. In fact, in this ever-changing world, experience is likely a liability. Intuition will be the most valued ability in the world of AI.”
Kapur concluded, “Let’s face it, intuition is often propelled by need. For example, I’m at my creative best when I panic. That moment, that need, that desperation, is at the bottom of the pyramid. Like a volcano, that change will erupt upwards, toppling the top of the Pyramid. Welcome to the new world of AI.”
With hashtags like #AI #Jobs #Structure #Intuition #Creativity #Change, he encapsulated the essence of this profound transformation.
