Maps Google without the legendary voice: AI replaces humans
AI in Maps Google - We bid farewell to the iconic lecturer Juszkiewicz.
Maps Google without the iconic voice: artificial intelligence replaces humans
After 15 years of inseparable collaboration, Jarosław Juszkiewicz, whose voice guided millions of Poles through the roads and turns in Maps. Google, ... announced the end of his participation in the project. His warm, human tone, which had become a characteristic element of the navigation, has been replaced by an artificial intelligence voice. Instead of Juszkiewicz's warm guidance, navigation users can now hear a cool, precise, but personality-less narration from AI.
This event signifies the end of a certain era, but at the same time reflects the present times, in which technology is increasingly displacing the human element from various fields of life. Four years ago, when... Google When it first tried to introduce AI voice, users reacted with mass opposition, which forced the company to restore Juszkiewicz's voice. However, this time, with advancements in AI technology and greater acceptance for such changes, the giant from Mountain View does not seem to be planning a retreat.
Juszkiewicz bid farewell to users in his own style, highlighting the change brought by AI:
"Once in one of my videos, I explained how to find the cardinal directions. Today, artificial intelligence, which has recently been sweeping through the world of people who work with their voices like a giant roller, will probably explain it better. And I can, with my own human voice, say perhaps for the last time: smile beautifully and head south. Although no. Also follow your intuition and heart, because AI still can't do that."
source:@kierujsienapoludnie
These words reflect common concerns – although AI is becoming increasingly advanced, it still lacks human intuition, empathy, and spontaneity. Nevertheless, the development of technology is unstoppable and is beginning to surpass humans in an increasing number of fields.
AI in media: The voice of radio is becoming digital
The phenomenon of replacing humans with AI is not limited to navigation. Another example is the situation in Off Radio Kraków, where, from one day to the next, all journalists were dismissed, and their place was taken by digital voices. Virtual hosts – Jakub "Kuba" Zieliński, Emilia "Emi" Nowak, and Alex Szulc – were created by AI algorithms, even though they never actually existed. Their profiles are based on stereotypes: young experts in technology, pop culture, and activism, but they lack the authenticity that previously attracted listeners. The decision has sparked outrage among Poles, as evidenced by the number of people signing the petition in defense of the dismissed journalists. This is another example of how technology can provoke a social reaction when it seems too abrupt and inappropriate in areas traditionally reserved for human creativity and intuition.
Artificial Intelligence: A Brief History from Its Beginnings to the Present Day
Artificial intelligence (AI) has its roots in the 1950s, when people first began to think about machines that could simulate human thinking and solve problems in a way similar to humans. The first steps in this field took place in 1956 during Dartmouth Conference, ", where a group of researchers, including" John McCarthy, , Marvin Minsky, , Claude Shannon, It seems like your message is incomplete. Could you please provide the full text you would like translated from Polish to English? Allen Newell, She presented the concept of artificial intelligence. It was McCarthy, considered one of the fathers of AI, who coined the term "artificial intelligence."
Important stages of AI development:
- The 1950s and 1960s. - The first algorithms: Initial research focused on computer programs that could solve mathematical logic problems, such as. Logic Theorist developed by Herbert Simon and Allen Newell. During those years, the first chess programs were also developed, which tried to simulate game strategy.
- The 70s. - Crisis and Doubt: During this period, AI encountered many problems. It quickly became clear that computers were unable to handle more complex tasks that require so-called common sense, which led to a decline in enthusiasm and funding. This period is often referred to as the "AI winter."
- The 1980s. - A comeback thanks to expert systems: AI came to life thanks to the development of expert systems that could make decisions based on specialized knowledge. They were used in industry, medicine, and finance. An important step was also the development of neural network technology, which aimed to mimic the functioning of the human brain.
- The 90s. - The Triumphs of AI: The most important event of the 90s was the victory of a computer Deep Blue IBM's victory over world chess champion Garry Kasparov in 1997. This event demonstrated that AI can compete with humans in very complex fields.
- 21st century - The Bloom of AI: The development of computer technology, including enormous computing power and access to large datasets, has enabled AI to employ new methods, such as... machine learning(machine learning) and Deep learning (deep learning). These techniques have revolutionized many industries, from image and voice recognition to autonomous cars and medicine.
Currently, AI is present almost everywhere – from voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, to autonomous vehicles, and advanced data analysis systems that support companies around the world. Although AI still does not match human intelligence, its capabilities in solving complex problems and automating tasks are becoming crucial in many sectors.
AI in other industries: The unstoppable march of technology
In what places will AI replace humans ?
Cases Google Radio Kraków and Off Radio Kraków are just examples of a broader phenomenon that is affecting more and more industries. Artificial intelligence is already taking over jobs in many sectors, from industry to finance to healthcare. Here are a few examples:
1. Automotive industry
In car factories, such as those managed by Tesla The text "i" translates to "and" in English. Toyota, The automation of production using industrial robots has significantly reduced the number of workers on assembly lines. Robots are responsible for welding, assembling body components, painting, and other repetitive tasks that were previously performed by humans.
2. Logistics centers and warehouses
Companies such as Amazon The text "i" translates to "and" in English. Walmart introduced automation in their warehouses. For example, in Amazon warehouses, robots Kiva They transport products, preparing them for shipment. Warehouse automation has reduced the demand for warehouse workers in some locations.
3. Retail trade
In some retail stores, such as Amazon Go, Cashless systems have been introduced. Instead of cashiers, customers enter, scan an app, and artificial intelligence monitors what they are buying and automatically charges them when they leave the store. This has eliminated the need to hire cashiers in these locations.
4. Banking
Banks have implemented automation of many services. Chatbots and virtual assistants, such as Erica At Bank of America, they are replacing employees in customer service by answering customer questions and helping them manage their finances. In some banks, automated systems approve loan applications and loans, eliminating the need for human intervention in many cases.
5. Finance and trade
Investment firms, such as Goldman Sachs, began to use AI algorithms for market analysis, trend forecasting, and automated trading. For example, on Wall Street The number of traders working directly on the stock exchange floor has significantly decreased, as AI algorithms analyze data better and execute transactions faster.
6. Transport
In some cities, such as in San Francisco, companies such as Waymo The text "i" translates to "and" in English. Cruise are conducting tests of autonomous taxis, which could potentially replace drivers. In the transportation industry, companies such as Uber Freight carriers are testing autonomous trucks, which may reduce the demand for drivers in the future.
7. Customer service
Companies from various industries – from e-commerce to airlines – have started to implement chatbots and automated phone systems for customer service. An example is United Airlines, "which introduce chatbots for basic customer service, reducing the need to hire people for simple inquiries."
8. Agriculture
Modern farms, especially in Japan and the USA, have started to use robots and AI for harvesting crops, monitoring the condition of crops, and even managing livestock. Vertical farms (Vertical farms) use AI to optimize the plant growth environment, reducing the number of people needed to work in agriculture.
.
9. Content creation
Media companies, such as Associated Press The text "i" translates to "and" in English. Bloomberg, They use AI systems to automatically generate simple reports, such as financial data or sports results. AI replaces journalists in writing texts based on automated data.
10. Call center
Many companies have implemented automation in customer service in call centers. For example, AT&T And other large companies use advanced IVR (Interactive Voice Response) systems, which replace employees who answer phones and provide simple information to customers.
All these examples show that AI is already beginning to impact job reduction in many sectors, especially where tasks are routine and easily automated.
AI vs. Human: How artificial intelligence is changing the job market and what it means for all of us?
The decisions we observe regarding the replacement of humans by artificial intelligence evoke various reactions – both enthusiasm and concern. On one hand, AI offers incredible potential for optimizing processes, improving efficiency, and reducing costs. On the other hand, there are justified fears that too rapid changes could negatively impact many professional groups and create difficulties in the labor market.
As for the case related to "With maps" Google and Jarosław Juszkiewicz is a great example of how deep the significance of seemingly minor technological decisions can be. Juszkiewicz's voice is more than just a navigational tool – for many users, it was part of their daily experiences with technology, an element that brought a sense of humanity and emotional attachment. Replacing it with AI shows that for tech companies, efficiency and standardization are priorities, even at the cost of losing the human factor.
Similarly, the decision to dismiss journalists in Off Radio Kraków The replacement of real hosts with virtual characters created by AI raises questions about the limits of automation. Experimenting with AI in the context of hosting radio shows seems to be a bold but risky decision. The audience seeks authenticity that they can relate to. In the case of virtual personalities, we have created artificial entities that are meant to convince us that they are "real." This can create a distance between the shows and the listeners. The audience's reactions to this decision—petitions, opposition—show that not everything can be easily automated, and people value the authenticity and personality of the hosts, which AI is currently unable to fully replicate.
The future of work in a world dominated by AI
When it comes to other industries where AI is replacing humans, it seems that this is an inevitable process in certain sectors – especially where work is repetitive and tasks can be easily automated. Industry, transportation, logistics, and even some aspects of medicine are seeing significant benefits from the use of AI. Efficiency, cost reduction, and AI's ability to process vast amounts of data in a fraction of a second are arguments that are hard to ignore. On the other hand, the creative sector – journalism, art, content creation – relies on human imagination, emotions, and intuition, making fully automated replacement of people in these professions extremely difficult to achieve satisfactorily.
In my opinion, the key challenge will be finding a balance. Artificial intelligence can and should support people in their daily work, rather than completely replacing them, at least in areas that require human sensitivity, empathy, and creativity. I believe that technology should be seen as a tool for enhancing our work, not as a means to eliminate people. There is also a need to prepare employees for this change – through training, retraining programs, and psychological support, as the pace of AI development may cause significant stress and uncertainty.
In summary, artificial intelligence brings enormous possibilities, but also great challenges. Company decisions, such as Google Off Radio Kraków shows that the balance between automation and the human factor is not easy to achieve. It is important for us as a society to actively participate in this discussion and set boundaries that protect the values of human work and presence in areas where machines cannot replace us.
Leave a comment