Today, the average woman in the world bears half as many children as did her counterpart in 1972. No industrialized country still produces enough children to sustain its population over time or to prevent rapid population aging” (Longman, 2004). As citizens move to more urban lifestyles, there is little economic reward for having children. While raising children is costly, the elder actually consume more and thus create an unsustainable imbalance, draining a nation’s wealth due to increased healthcare costs. Economic growth with falling work forces can only occur if productivity increases (Longman).
Artificial intelligence would seem to be a good fit for this complex issue. First, web based healthcare models can dramatically lower the costs associated with preventive and diagnostic care. Does gramps really need to trek into a crowded, germ filled doctor’s office for a check up on his high blood pressure? Not if his WebMD interface includes biometric monitors, comprehensive analysis and diagnosis algorithms. Secondly, nations which embrace AI to replace less complex or repetitive tasks will increase their productivity, thereby minimizing their GDP loss. Perhaps a virtual or robotic bellboy will check you into your hotel the next time you are on vacation. Or, an interactive, virtual assistance will schedule your business meetings & travel itineraries. All systems have a natural balance; perhaps creation of artificial intelligence is the offset needed to counter decreased births.
Christine
Longman, Phillip (May/June 2004). The Global Baby Bust. Foreign Affairs. Accessed 15-August-2014: http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/59894/phillip-longman/the-global-baby-bust
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