Latest news with #GaryMartin
West Australian
14 hours ago
- Business
- West Australian
OPINION: Gary Martin says it's time to embrace new AI era
It is a question everyone needs to consider: how to harness the powers of artificial intelligence, because it is not a question of if AI will impact our lives, but to what extent. There is no denying that AI – and its generative version – has become part of everyday life and is used in everything from personalising social media feeds to providing an interface between people, advancing robotics and powering medical breakthroughs. There are estimates that almost 80 per cent of organisations have either introduced AI into their business or are considering doing so. Many organisations have begun restructuring their workplace and workflows to better capture the benefits of AI. AI can process huge amounts of data, identify patterns and follow detailed instructions on what do to with that information. It can create, summarise and analyse documents and multi-media, much faster than humanly possible. AI allows computers to learn and solve problems in ways that can seem human. But computers cannot be human. They cannot think, empathise or reason. And that goes to the heart of the threat of AI. Introduced unchecked and allowed to take over without the necessary checks and balances – AI risks taking over decisions made by humans but without the human touch. What AI lacks are the filters that advise on appropriateness, identify potential misuse, understand ethical complexities and assess environmental impacts, to name just some areas. This is not to say that AI does not have an important role to play to further advance our organisations. It is also typical that the introduction of any new technology or innovation generates a howl of disapproval from those who do not understand it, fear it or are ignorant to the pace of change. AI is here to stay and there is a wonderful opportunity for organisations at every level to harness its powers for the good. If AI drives improved levels of automation, identifies trends through its data harvesting capability that prevent tragedies and predict success and assists humans to make better decisions, then we all win. But like all new innovations, it comes down to the human adaptation. Embraced for the right reasons and used in the right ways with the appropriate human interface, AI will become an incredibly useful, value-adding tool that will make our lives better. The opportunity for AI to drive efficiency and innovation is real. But so are the challenges and threats of AI that extend way behind job losses and digital over-dependence. We need to partner with AI, not compete against it. We need to embrace its rise, not ignore it at as a passing trend. We need to approach it with confidence – not fear. And we need to use it to enhance decisions – not replace them. Professor Gary Martin is CEO of the Australian Institute of Management WA
West Australian
18-05-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Gary Martin: Does ‘wellness' really count if you're not miserably suffering?
As winter approaches and the mercury dips, most of us are bracing for the usual seasonal discomfort — cold mornings, foggy windscreens and the annual return of thermal underwear. But while many seek warmth and shelter, a growing number are doing quite the opposite. They are flinging themselves into tubs of freezing water — on purpose. Cold plunging — otherwise known as ice bathing — is winning over wellness circles across the country as people willingly swap warmth for water that could make even a penguin wince. Fill a tub — or wheelie bin, bath, barrel or purpose-built plunge pod — with ice and water, jump in, breathe through the shock and then sit still while your limbs freeze over. Some plunge first thing in the morning to start the day with a jolt while others incorporate it into workout recovery routines. But behind the brave faces and blue lips lies a frosty question: why are so many people throwing themselves into the deep freeze in the name of health? Professor Gary Martin is CEO of AIM WA and a specialist in workplace and social trends. Credit: Jackson Flindell / Jackson Flindell / The West Aust Part of the answer lies in the changing nature of wellness itself. Health and wellness were once about a balanced diet and going for gentle walks. Fast forward to today and it seems that it is not enough to take care of your body. You have to show you are punishing your body and testing your personal physical and mental limits. Supporters of this frosty phenomenon also point to a range of alleged benefits including sharper focus, improved mood, better sleep, reduced inflammation and boosted resilience. But not everyone is convinced. While some research does support the release of feel-good chemicals after cold exposure, much of the broader hype is — well — on thin ice. On top of that, plunging into an icy bath is a wintertime ritual which seems, quite literally, out of touch with reality. Most Australians spend winter avoiding the cold at all costs by layering up, lingering in hot showers and cranking up the heater at the first hint of a chill. None of this is to say that cold plunges are inherently bad. For some, they offer a genuine boost. But we should remember that in a world which increasingly treats discomfort as a badge of honour, real resilience might just be about picking what is right for you, even if that means giving an ice bath the flick. So this winter, while others are busy tipping ice into tubs and timing their plunges, it might be wiser to think about what wellbeing really looks like for you. After all, wellness does not have to come with a frost warning. Professor Gary Martin is CEO of AIM WA and a specialist in workplace and social trends
