Paul Speight details the potential of VR, AI and robotics in evolving the training and responsibilities of emergency response personnel
Iain Hoey
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By Fire Service Expert Paul Speight
Let me start by posing a question on the future of training, manufacturing, and the movement of vehicles, planes, ships, and trains.
Have you seen either of the following; the 1984 James Cameron science fiction film, The Terminator, or the 2004 Jeff Vintar and Akiva Goldsman science fiction film, I-Robot?
Both are great films (well I think so) but the writer’s and producer’s minds are thinking so far into the future, a future that back then was only science fiction.
Now jump forward thirty to forty years and their ideas and imagination are starting to come true, the use of robotics in the manufacturing industries has been happening for years now.
Humanoid robots that can conduct pre-programmed tasks are growing and evolving very quickly, and one of the next steps is when artificial intelligence gives the robots the ability to learn for themselves.
This leads me to the question of how emerging technology can play a massive role in the immediate future of training, but possibly more important in the long term how we deal with fires, and what roles firefighters will have that are different from now?
Virtual reality training is the gateway to a future where immersive experiences redefine the way we learn and grow.
Virtual reality is a non-complicated versatile way to conveniently immerse yourself into the world of numerous virtual training possibilities.
The use of all this emerging technology is already happening to significant effect here in the UK, and this journey is gathering pace and, will change the way we perceive what training will look like, and how, it’s delivered.
Robots are machines that at this time do not have creativity or imagination, but one day AI may prove to be the solution.
Over the next 10 years, artificial intelligence will become increasingly sophisticated and complex.
Technical advancements in this field will focus on creating general intelligence that rivals or surpasses human capabilities.
Critical thinking is a skill that will take a long time for artificial intelligence to replace.
Even though machines are excellent at evaluating data, they lack the human ability for critical thought.
Already AI can do things exponentially faster than humans.
It can also perform data-related tasks that are impossible for the human brain to perform.
A quote by Stephen Hawking: “Unless we learn how to prepare for, and avoid the potential risks, AI could be the worst event in the history of our civilization”?
Allowing training to take place in a safe sterile contamination-free environment, correcting mistakes as they happen, training can be re-run repeatedly until the process and procedure become embedded, and any processes are committed to memory, and any movements are producing muscle memory.
This style of training is environmentally friendly, hazard-free, and eliminates the chance of accidents.
About the IFSJ Influencer
Paul served 33 years in the UK Fire Service, before joining the teaching staff at the Fire Service College.
He has experience and knowledge combined with a passion for integrating technology into firefighter training and safety.
He introduced the use of emerging technologies virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence to the UK fire services.
Having spoken on this subject in many countries Paul is regarded as a SME.
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