AI-technology taking over jobs: the positive side of the story
If we talked about robots 20 years ago, our prediction for the future was to use them for manual labour. Cleaning, cooking, bricklaying, plastering, gardening, driving cars ... Fastforward, and we’ve completely shifted our perspective. ChatGPT and its peers write texts, do research and project management, code and even create art. This raises the question: will artificial intelligence, instead of taking over manual labour, make creative and administrative jobs redundant?
SIGN OF THE TIMES
Technology taking over certain jobs is not a new phenomenon. The very first telephone exchanges were operated manually by operators, who were later replaced by automatic switchboards, and finally by digital commands. Secretaries used to perform the tasks for which we now turn to Outlook, Whatsapp, iCal and Siri. And bank clerks used to fill their days with transactions, statements and cash withdrawals.
Have these people been downgraded? No, on the contrary. Secretaries are office managers now: receptionists or administrative assistants with more extensive and challenging tasks. And thanks to online banking, bank clerks have more time to spend on personal advice, which means they not only help their customers better but are also more likely to hold senior positions.
TECHNOLOGY AS A JUNIOR EMPLOYEE
Between the lines, you read that technology has taken over the role of a junior employee in several industries. These are mostly supporting jobs that need little context. Enter the role of ChatGPT and its peers in our current lives. Marketers use the technology as a starting point for their research, so they can spend more time on strategy. Copywriters let generative AI write a first rough draft of a text, then refine it themselves or perfect it via feedback prompts. Project managers and entrepreneurs let the chatbot write generic emails, structure input and incorporate feedback from clients.
WE’LL ALWAYS NEED PEOPLE
Two things technology will certainly not replace in the coming years: relevant context and the human touch. One, relevant context is something generative AI does not excel at. It simply processes data and does not analyse it. In short, it does not really understand what it generates. That is also the biggest difference between generative AI and Nalantis' semantic analyses based on artificial intelligence.
Two, the human touch is something we will always need. At Nalantis, for instance, we build technology that extensively analyses resumes and performs a competency analysis. It then matches individuals to a suitable vacancy. You might assume that this objective hiring method replaces the job of an HR manager, but it actually provides additional support. And creates more time for longer, quality intake interviews that lead to a better experience for both the company and the applicant.
Or take robotic surgery: the doctor's presence remains important because a body is not a predictable, pre-programmed data set. What’s more, patients want to see the reassuring, experienced face of the doctor before and after surgery to feel better about the operation.
Let’s use technology TO our advantage
I suggest that, instead of being afraid of AI taking over our jobs, we use this technology to our advantage. Research how ChatGPT, Bing Chat and Google Bard can help you perform certain tasks, so that you can better focus on others. Generative as well as analytical AI can help reduce workload, and increase productivity and quality in various industries.
It’s safe to say that AI technology will become a part of our teams. It will take over jobs, but also ensure that we can do certain tasks more smoothly and qualitatively. It will offer us new insights about working methods and processes.
To avoid staying behind, you need to be open to this new reality both as a company and as an employee. Immerse yourself in it and learn to use technology to your own advantage. And of course, even if AI joins the table, people will always come first.
Written by Frank Aernout, CEO of Nalantis
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