Artificial Intelligence is the latest technology buzz topic thanks to the boom of ChatGPT. The AI-powered chatbot, created by Microsoft-backed OpenAI, has both impressed and shocked with its ability to answer questions, write essays and even argue legal cases. Its capabilities have also put another topic at the forefront of people’s minds: if, how and when artificial intelligence might impact their jobs and careers. And while concerns about AI-based technology taking over people’s jobs have spiraled, experts say it’s not quite that simple.
Creating Jobs?
The short answer to the question of whether AI will replace some jobs is a big, fat “yes.” Developments in artificial intelligence mean that technology can achieve more and more, and that will, of course, impact jobs, Steven Miller, professor emeritus of information systems at Singapore Management University, says. “As physical machines, software systems, and combinations of hardware and software get more capable as a result of AI-enablement, it is increasingly possible as well as economically viable to replace a greater share of the portions of the human work of today with machines,” he said.
Certain roles are more vulnerable to this than others, Miller adds — especially ones that are highly repetitive or based on very specific instructions or rules that lay out what needs to be done. On the flipside, tasks that change often and therefore require things like adaptability and flexibility are harder for technology to replace.
New Jobs
The concerns aren’t surprising, says Steve Chase, consulting leader at KPMG U.S. “As with most technological advancements, an initial fear of job loss and displacement among workers is natural.” However, it is crucial to keep several points in mind, he adds. First off, similar disruption has happened before: for example, the spread of computers, or more advanced and specialized machines in factories. These changed the way people work and what type of work they do — and they did make some jobs redundant — but today, we can’t imagine life without them.
Working With AI
AI and the technology and products based on it are also still limited in certain ways, Papanikloaou points out. “I think at the moment we are quite far from ‘real AI’ in the sense that all the models that we have are about predicting the right response given a set of data. Much of what AI does is to synthesize existing knowledge with a specific goal in mind,” he says. “This is quite far from creating new knowledge.”
People working alongside artificial intelligence, rather than being replaced by it, is therefore a more likely scenario for now, he says. “There are far more opportunities for using AI for augmenting the work of human employees than for fully automating the work of humans.” Chase agrees, explaining that many businesses are using AI to enhance efficiency or otherwise support employees.
To do this successfully, businesses need to adapt, Chase says. This includes educating employees, helping them to upskill and reskill, and creating frameworks about using the AI technology in a responsible way. He said that some companies have already begun doing this.
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Source: CNBC
