The AI chatbot from OpenAI, ChatGPT, has only been around for two months and has already amassed more than one million users. Powered by artificial intelligence, the chatbot can have conversations on topics from history to philosophy, generate lyrics in the style of Taylor Swift or Billy Joel, and suggest edits to computer programming code. Chatter about the new tech has stretched far beyond the business world, influencing academics and how society will operate in the near future. As the chatbot improves with the advancements of technology, investor interest continues to spark. According to a recent study conducted by the multinational tech conglomerate, IBM, 35% of companies are already actively using artificial intelligence in their day-to-day operations and 42% are still exploring AI's potential for the future-including virtual assistants that employees can use to complete tasks on their behalf. AI-powered voice assistants are anticipated to reach eight billion users by the end of 2023. "We have a lot of information on the internet, but you normally have to Google it, then read it and then do something with it," says Ricardo Michel Reyes, chief science officer and co-founder of AI company, Erudit, "now you'll have this resource that can process the whole internet and all of the information it contains for you to answer your question."
From passing prestigious graduate level exams to disrupting search engines, ChaptGPT has been exercising capabilities that can be applied to workplaces. According to Reyes, who regularly uses AI-powered assistants to respond to his work emails or read long reports and spotlight key points, "You won't have to train people to do certain things anymore, but rather train them how to use AI tools to do those things," he says. "For example, before managers would have to train people to make PowerPoints, now, they won't even need them to know how to use PowerPoint, just understand enough to ask the AI the right questions." Even though this has the potential to eliminate many jobs in the workforce, it is acknowledged that this kind of progress can reduce training time and make workers more efficient and capable. Success, however, depends on how companies will handle the integration, and whether they prioritize the more human side of technology. If the integration is primarily focused on AI, humans will lose more jobs as their involvement with AI is not prioritized.
Do the Positives Outweigh the Risks?
Even with the possibility of countless job losses, the risks do not outweigh the positive consequences for businesses and investors. Having AI-powered voice assistants potentially shaves time and effort off of previously time-consuming tasks for companies, thus, minimizing cost and maximizing productivity, allowing more room for employees. Additionally, most AI companies have released tutorial videos on their products' tools and use cases, which can help organizations understand and communicate the benefit this technology can deliver to every person at a company. "Humans will always evolve and find ways to do things faster and better," Reyes says. "You can walk anywhere, but you will get there faster in the car." AI will continue evolving companies and if they don't adapt, they’ll be walking while others are driving.
Comments