Find here a link to ChatGPT convo that co-wrote this article, you'll find it mostly linked in here. Just putting this front and center as a disclaimer I'm looking and verifying if ChatGPT is as scary as I think. This might be a longer article just due to the amount of content created by ChatGPT in only 3 prompts. It's really wild it can come up with such convincing information so quickly, we really are at the precipice of a new revolution. But let's try and validate or debunk the claims made listed here to see what all the hot air is about.
Well shit, I've mentioned a few times that I won't use AI for my writing as it's not something that I necessarily need or want. But it's early, I'm awake and decided to put ChatGPT for a spin based on a convo I had with my partner last night. I figure it might be a good idea to test this tool and see how accurate it is in late November 2024. I've read a common phrase online that feels quite apt "It's not that AI will take your job, but someone using AI will take your job". That's what this movement is about, spreading knowledge and understanding that we're all in this together. People's livelihood is at stake due to the impending levels of automation not seen before, ever. If you're not paying attention, use these helpful daily updates to bring light to some of the madness before us.
If you've checked the ChatGPT convo that co-wrote this article, then you'll know it's really long. It gives 10 areas of concerns in modern job markets that we need to be conscious of. I'll list them here for convenience and I've painstakingly transcribed the output from ChatGPT into interactive HTML to define them if you want to peek at what Mr. GPT says. I mean, you can also check the convo directly (it's linked a couple times above), but it's more consumable here.
ChatGPT Top trends for AI doomers to watch for.
Click each item to get a description as stated by ChatGPT:
- Automation and Job Loss.
AI-powered automation is replacing repetitive and predictable tasks across industries.Blue-collar jobs: Automated manufacturing, warehouses, and delivery systems are reducing the need for human labor in logistics and production.White-collar jobs: AI tools like chatbots, document review systems, and automated content generation are disrupting fields such as customer service, legal research, and journalism.
- Skill Gap and Reskilling Challenges.
AI adoption is creating a demand for highly specialized skills. Many workers may struggle to transition to AI-related roles due to inadequate reskilling programs or access to training.
- Job Polarization.
AI is intensifying job polarization, creating high-skill, high-paying positions while eliminating middle-skill roles, leaving low-skill, low-wage jobs as the primary fallback for displaced workers.
- Algorithmic Bias and Decision-making.
AI systems can perpetuate bias in hiring and layoffs, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups. Automated hiring tools may unfairly exclude candidates based on flawed training data.
- Gig Economy and Precarious Employment
AI platforms like ride-sharing and delivery services contribute to the gig economy, often characterized by low wages, lack of benefits, and minimal job security.
- AI’s Impact on Creativity and Professional Roles.
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, MidJourney, and others threaten creative roles in writing, design, and even software development. This could undermine the job security of professionals in traditionally human-driven industries.
- Economic Inequality.
AI may deepen economic disparities as companies save on labor costs but don’t reinvest sufficiently in workers or communities, concentrating wealth among AI developers and tech giants.
- Regulatory and Ethical Challenges.
Unregulated AI development can lead to unchecked job displacement. Policy frameworks lag behind technological advancements, creating uncertainty for workers in AI-disrupted sectors.
- Global Disparities.
While wealthier nations may benefit from AI-driven productivity, developing countries risk losing outsourced jobs, such as call centers or back-office processing, due to AI automation.
- Mental Health and Workplace Changes.
Surveillance and productivity-tracking AI tools are causing stress and dissatisfaction among employees, impacting mental health and job satisfaction.
Summary The rapid adoption of AI highlights a pressing need for proactive measures such as reskilling programs, equitable AI policies, and support systems to ensure the workforce can adapt without leaving people behind.
Well that's a bit ominous, let's do a deep dive into the 7 cases ChatGPT gave out after these trends to really hammer home this point.
ChatGPT examples of CURRENT job automation.
How does ChatGPT stack up when providing examples from real world? I'll break down the convo with my own research to give ChatGPT an accuracy score at the end. I'll look through it as I validate ChatGPT's claims. I'll put a thumbs up (👍) or down (👎) if the claim is valid or not respectively.
Direct Job Replacement by AI. 👍
- Example: Bangalore-based company Dukaan replaced 90% of its customer support staff with AI chatbots, citing significant cost savings and efficiency improvements. Similar steps have been taken by IKEA, where an AI bot, Billie, handles customer queries while the company focuses on retraining workers.
- Isaac's sources: CNN July 2023 (Dukaan), Fortune July 2023 (Dukaan), Verge Feb 2024 (IKEA)
Industry-Specific Job Impacts. 👍(full force not yet displayed)
- Example: Generative AI tools like OpenAI's Codex are impacting software development by automating code writing, potentially replacing some entry-level developer roles. In journalism, AI tools like NewsGPT are automating content creation, reducing the need for entry-level writers.
- Isaac's sources: this blog (coding), Forbes Apr 2023 (journalism)
AI-Driven Role Transformation. 👍
- Example: The healthcare sector is increasingly relying on AI for diagnostics and administrative tasks, allowing professionals to focus on patient care. For example, generative AI in radiology is used for preliminary analysis, augmenting human capabilities.
- Isaac's sources: National Library of Medicine Mar 2024, National Library of Medicine June 2019
Job Polarization (High-Skill vs. Low-Skill Gap). 👍(full force not yet displayed)
- Example: IBM plans to automate 30% of its back-office roles over five years, while simultaneously committing to reskilling its workforce to fill higher-skilled AI-related jobs. This demonstrates how automation can create a divide between low-skill and high-skill opportunities.
- Isaac's sources: this is speculative, but I'd argue sooner and more jobs.
Increased Economic Dependency on AI Roles. 👍(full force not yet displayed)
- Example: Goldman Sachs projects that while AI could displace jobs in traditional sectors, it may also create roles that require AI expertise, potentially offsetting the losses but shifting the economic dependency toward technology-centric jobs.
- Isaac's sources: this is speculative, but I'd argue sooner and more jobs.
AI Use for Cost Optimization Leading to Layoffs. 👍
- Example: Salesforce and Duolingo cut jobs in areas where AI tools could automate tasks, including customer support and content translation, as part of broader efforts to cut costs while investing in AI technologies.
- Isaac's sources: Washington Post Jan 2024 (Duolingo), CTV News Jan 2024 (Duolingo), Bloomberg Sept 2024 (Salesforce)
Governments and Corporations Mitigating AI’s Impact. 👍
- Example: The AI-Enabled ICT Workforce Consortium, involving companies like Cisco and Google, focuses on reskilling workers for AI-augmented roles. It aims to address workforce challenges caused by AI adoption, showing proactive measures to mitigate risks.
- Isaac's sources: It's a consortium to help solve AI existential threat... I think it's safe to say that's a double thumbs up 👍 👍. Fortune Apr 2024 (ICT Consortium), Fierce Network Jul 2024
Well great, I started by quoting "It's not that AI will take your job, but someone using AI will take your job" and this exercise has shown me exactly how someone can use and compile information with lots of velocity. It comes with it's own usefulness, but I feel confident in my brief research and the findings ChatGPT lead me to find. This post took 2 hours of work this morning, longer than my normal diatribe. While this did take me longer, it's more information dense. If I had to write this blog post without AI, I could see this taking days of planning and structuring and spitballing ideas. Here ChatGPT laid the structure out and I just copy-paste away to Google segments of ChatGPTs thoughts. I got to read and see what ChatGPT saw on the search engines. It has it's inherent bias (as everything does), but I don't suspect it's too different than most people operate.
ChatGPT accuracy: 8/10
Some examples not concrete, but overall very accurate, pretty scary stuff. It's coming for my job as best I can tell, totally valid and not bunk.
My regular blog posts take me about 30-45 mins as I just stream whatever I think into my hands. I then take a break and a re-read a few times to ensure grammar and logic is congruent. This exercise with ChatGPT took me at least 2-4x longer! I've definitely gone through a lot of content in this post, but also added some nice robot narration functionality yesterday which should make this more accessible (it's kinda janky, but there's a reset button or you can just spam play and it should eventually work) . So if you've listened to the robot or read this with your eyes, I appreciate it. I'm going to be lazy and defer to Mr. GPT to close my post once again.
Isaac
Each of these trends and examples illustrates the complex impact of AI on jobs, with some roles being replaced, others evolving, and new opportunities emerging alongside challenges. For more details on these developments, you can explore sources like Tech.co and ITPro for specific examples. - ChatGPT November 27, 2024