Why Artificial Intelligence is not going to take your job
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been making significant strides in recent years, transforming various industries with its efficiency and speed.
Innovations like ChatGPT 4.0 have shown people how efficient AI can be when it’s well trained and has access to a large amount of data. Hoever along with the hype that accompanies a paradigm shifting technology, also comes the negative focus from those that don’t understand the technology, it’s positioning or who in our modern click-bait world of media are looking to scaremonger.
I read a blog article, a sponsored piece or a social media post at least once a week that espouses all the reasons why we are going to be replaced by AI and why you should be immediately retraining. So i thought i’d provide some balance to the conversation and write about why AI is not going to take your job.
AI Lacks Emotional Intelligence. One of the main limitations of AI is that it lacks emotional intelligence. Human workers are essential in jobs that require emotional intelligence such as leadership, consulting, counseling, teaching, and healthcare. These jobs require empathy and understanding of the emotions of the people they work with, which AI cannot replicate. AI lacks the ability to recognise emotions and understand the complexities of human behavior. For example if someone writes a sarcastic email, even humans struggle to pick up the context sometimes in written communication. There are also many situations that require human interaction, which AI cannot easily replace. For example, jobs in customer service, hospitality, and sales require human interaction to build relationships with customers. AI may be able to handle simple queries, but it cannot build relationships with customers, understand their needs and preferences, and respond to their emotions in the same way that humans can.
AI Needs Human Oversight. While AI can perform some tasks with great efficiency, it still requires human oversight to ensure quality control and safety. For example, in manufacturing, AI can help streamline production processes, but it still needs human oversight to ensure that the products meet quality standards and safety regulations. Human workers can recognise potential problems and intervene before any damage occurs. A good example of this is the autopilot in most modern commercial aeroplanes. Autopilot was first invented in 1912, it means pilot’s don’t have to constantly control the plane and can do advanced features now like automated take off and landing - but the pilots must still be there in case something goes wrong or in instances where equipment malfunction feeds the autopilot the incorrect data to make it’s calculations.
AI Cannot Replace Creativity and Innovation. Creativity and innovation are crucial in many industries, such as art, design, and advertising. AI may be able to perform certain tasks such as generating designs and content, but it lacks the creativity and imagination that humans possess. Human workers can come up with innovative ideas that AI cannot, which can lead to better outcomes and solutions, they may use AI to bring that imagination into reality - but it’s still a human that is making the request and coming up with the original input idea.
Ethical and Legal Considerations. There are ethical and legal considerations when using AI in the workplace, which may limit its adoption in certain industries. For example, there may be concerns about bias and discrimination if AI is used to make hiring decisions, or about privacy if AI is used to monitor employee behavior. These concerns may make it more likely that human workers will continue to be employed in certain roles. Like a double-edged sword, AI in the workplace must be wielded carefully and responsibly. Just as a sword can be used to protect or harm, AI can be used to benefit or harm individuals and society. It is essential to weigh the potential benefits and risks of using AI and ensure that it is used in a way that is ethical, transparent, and accountable. Additionally, like a sword, AI is a tool that is only as good as the person wielding it. The ethical implications of AI in the workplace ultimately depend on how it is used and who is responsible for its use. It is crucial for organizations to establish ethical guidelines, policies, and practices for AI in the workplace to ensure that it is used for the greater good.
Sometimes it’s not cost effective. There are many situations where the required data, training and programming are much more complex and costly than continuing to use a human to do the work. For example:
Low-volume tasks: Tasks that are performed infrequently or in low volume may not be cost-effective to train in AI. For example, tasks that require specialized knowledge or expertise may not be performed frequently enough to justify the investment in AI training.
Tasks with high variability: Tasks that require high variability and adaptability may not be cost-effective to train in AI. AI is programmed to recognise patterns and follow rules, which makes it less adaptable to changes in the environment or unexpected events.
Tasks that require human judgment: Tasks that require human judgment, such as decision-making and problem-solving, may not be cost-effective to train in AI. While AI can analyze data and make recommendations, it cannot replicate the complexity and nuance of human decision-making.
So what is the likely future of AI?
In my opinion it’s far more likely that AI will become an increasing part of our world used to complete mundane high volume tasks making humans more efficient.
If you look at the work Microsoft is doing with ChatGPT to incorporate it into the office suite the name “Copilot” says it all to me. AI will be used to augment humans to make them more efficient at their jobs. In my humble opinion it will not replace humans in their jobs.
So what now? Think of how AI could assist you in your day to day work, there will be tasks you do on a regular basis that you could outsource to an AI assistant.