In recent months, the technology giants of the world have been unveiling their various products in the field of “artificial intelligence”. While the hot topic in the global IT world these days is the emergence of different assistants such as ChatGPT, in Iran, IT companies are still facing a threat called the “Protection Plan”. These days, the startup ecosystem in Iran is not doing well and many companies are struggling with internet disruptions and slowdowns in recent months. Now, in these conditions, the possible approval of the Protection Plan has caused IT professionals in Iran to feel a wave of despair.

The advancement of artificial intelligence in various IT fields in the world and Iran is not a subject that can easily be overlooked. Now, in the battle between global AI and the possibility of passing the protection plan in Iran, whispers about unemployment and lack of employment due to the replacement of AI for human labor can be heard. But what is the real story?

Houshi, also known as artificial intelligence.

The global institution of McKinsey & Company estimates that depending on different scenarios, automation and artificial intelligence will displace between 400 to 800 million jobs by 2030, and 375 million people will need to completely change their job roles.

Looking at the history of the industrial revolution and similar cases, it seems logical to conclude that fears and concerns related to artificial intelligence and automation are understandable but ultimately baseless. Technological changes may eliminate certain jobs, but they have always created more jobs in the process. Artificial intelligence and automation can free us to pursue jobs that give us a sense of purpose and greater well-being. These jobs challenge us, inspire a sense of progress, and give us a feeling of independence and belonging.

It may not be a bad idea to tell the story in a way that at least I, as an active member in the field of digital health, am facing it. In the field of health, these systems are not meant to become human forces, but rather they are placed as assistants alongside doctors and, based on the data they have, they greatly help in the speed and accuracy of diagnosing diseases. On the other hand, they also assist patients in self-care and are the key to solving recurring questions about their illness and which specialty to refer to for bigger issues. In fact, everyone is using this shared world and its services.

On the other hand, at a higher level, artificial intelligence and automation will help eradicate global disease and poverty. Artificial intelligence, through better disease prevention, more accurate diagnosis, and more effective treatment, creates significant advancements in medicine and healthcare. When it comes to eliminating poverty in the world, one of the biggest obstacles is knowing where more help is needed.

A project called “Protection”

Perhaps considering all these points, what we should be more concerned about than artificial intelligence is a plan called “protection”. It is very clear that currently we are behind the rest of the world in terms of technology, and if the pressure of internet slowdowns increases and the implementation of the protection plan, the gap between Iran and the world will also increase. One of the major consequences of the protection plan could be the issue of health. In the field we are active in, our easy access to global services can not only improve the overall health of society but also be effective in reducing costs. Different topics such as “electronic prescription” and “drug assistant” have their own problems. When we are faced with the lack of access to up-to-date global services, public health is at risk. Doctors must spend more time and attention on their work, and they are only human and do not have the ability to access all data in an instant, so naturally, there will be more errors in diagn