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In today’s world, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has initiated a significant paradigm shift in our workforce. Since the dawn of the digital age, the threat of machines replacing humans in various jobs has remained a hot topic. IBM’s Watson, for instance, brought this conversation into the spotlight but seems to have faded into the backdrop of the AI narrative. Nevertheless, this transformational change in our society, primarily fueled by AI, is more complex and less linear than previously thought.
AI, in many ways, is proving to be an asset rather than a direct threat to our employment landscape. Many leaders and decision-makers, including CEOs and CHROs, have expressed optimism that AI and other technological advancements will primarily automate the mundane facets of work, allowing us to focus on more ‘human’ aspects of our jobs, including creativity, problem-solving, and relationship building.
Sounds good right?
But what happens when AI comes for those “human” jobs as well?
- Decades ago, when bank kiosks were introduced we were told it would be the end of bank tellers but instead we saw a rise of local branches and an increase of the number of tellers.
- A few years ago when Accenture automated over 17,000 jobs they didn’t replace a single person, instead they up-skilled them.
- When I interviewed the CHRO of McDonald’s after they were introducing kiosks, he told me that they were not reducing headcount but instead were keeping it the same and in some cases increasing it to focus more on customer experience. In a recent conversation I had with the chief restaurant officer of Chipotle he told me the same thing.
I have had countless conversations which went along the “yes we are using technology but it won’t replace humans” lines. At least, up until recently.
Now with the rise of ChatGPT and the further advancements in technology, we are once again reviving these conversations around AI and how it will take away jobs. But is it really different this time?
Yes…it is.
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