Following on from my previous blogs on AI, I can categorically say that AI Tools not only are already in the workplace, they will become essential.

This space is moving quickly and it really won’t be long before everyone will use some kind of AI tool, app or in-house generator tool routinely at work. In fact, there is too much material on this topic in the media and podcasts at the moment for one post to adequately cover. This topic deserves a series!

Where does AI stand in context to other historical changes to Work in Modern History?

• The Industrial Revolution disrupted and changed forever how people worked and lived. People moved from rural, agricultural areas to cities and factory jobs. Jobs needing manpower changed and people had to move to where the jobs were located.
• The next big disruption was the Information Age, brought about by the Internet. Information, data and social media has forever changed many industries and jobs. A greater proportion of people now work in white collar jobs and industries.
• This new age of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence is the next big disruption to how we work and live. Notice that the time between disruptions are shrinking due to the exponential pace of change.

My prediction is that in the long-term, AI’s impact on humanity will be greater than that of the Internet. And that’s saying something.

What has happened in the AI space in recent times?

ChatGPT was the first AI tool that the public became aware of in late 2022 as it was open source – Open AI. However, many companies are creating AI tools – Google, Meta, Canva and an increasing number of other organisations.

Automation in manufacturing and ChatBots on customer service websites have been in use for a long while now, but some of the new applications are extremely useful and effective in saving time and increasing productivity.

On a side note, you may be interested to learn that one way we have been helping AI to learn, for example whenever we tick boxes to prove we aren’t a robot – e.g. which of these pictures are of a bus? Our collective answers have created a body of information for AI to draw upon.

My newsfeed has been filled with examples of how AI can be used, and casual conversation with family and friends have yielded situations too. I admit it – I’m not one of those users yet. And that will definitely mean I will be behind the times sooner rather than later. So, let’s make a list of easy to understand uses of AI for dinosaurs like me who need to catch up, and for up and comers who want to understand how to get ahead of the curve.

AI uses at work for dummies

1. Drafting emails, memos, presentations and other text like marketing materials.
2. To generate ideas for brainstorming.
3. To help in data analysis.
4. To create code in programming.
5. To create content:
   • Text about any subject and in any style – e.g. a Shakespearian sonnet about my beloved dog;
   • Songs, lyrics and music, in any genre – e.g. a break up song set on New Year’s Eve by Taylor Swift;
   • A painting or sketch in any master’s style, art – e.g. a sketch of my family at home by Picasso;
   • An image of anyone in any pose – e.g. a picture of myself at the pyramids with Tutankhamun;
   • A video of any person saying anything – e.g. Muhammad Ali declaring that I am in fact, actually the greatest. (These fakes are very real-looking!)
6. AI can be used in applications that I can’t yet imagine but are certainly possible – Any profession can be aided in identifying existing examples, summarising information, and generating prompts and ideas.

How does AI boost productivity?

• Time saving – While AI isn’t yet perfect, the content is being used to create first drafts to save time. The content created might or does require editing; however, there is an overall time-saving boost in productivity.
• Assists new hires – Interestingly, AI has been shown to bridge the gap between an experienced employee and a new hire if an AI tool is used in their work. Just as computer skills are essential in practically every job, using AI tools on the job will become essential too.
• Higher order working – When menial tasks like programming code or drafting text like emails are taken care of by AI, there is increased time available for tasks that require innovation and “thinking”.

Some companies are creating their own tools for two very important reasons – to maintain confidentiality of their information and clients and to protect their intellectual property. Using open source AI around their company activities and day to day operations incurs dangers in exposure to both these important concerns.

While I am partly in awe of the possibilities of AI, I have become increasingly alarmed too.

 I was mistaken in my belief that AI content wasn’t creative or innovative. AI can create brand new works of Art and new Music right now.

What’s going to happen as machine power grows? AI is developing at an exponential pace. AI’s intellectual power multiplies the power of the most intelligent human by an inconceivable amount, and we don’t know and can’t fully predict the ramifications of that potential.

As much as is possible, in my next blog, I will try to predict where new jobs and industries will open up.

The genie is out of the bottle and it is really a brave new world.

In reality, our workplaces and our jobs will undergo radical change and many of us may become redundant or need to change careers or seek new jobs. The future is a complicated one. If you need help now in job seeking or in navigating a career change, contact Maria Cordi Career Coach at CIRCLE Recruitment & HR on 1300 923 000.

Career Coach

Maria holds a Bachelor of Science, with a Psychology major and a Master of Applied Science (Psychology of Coaching) from the University of Sydney. She has a background in Human Resources and Career Planning with Westpac, worked as a Training & Development Consultant with Psychological Assessments Australia, and spent some years working with CIRCLE Recruitment & HR.

Important Note: These articles have been prepared for general circulation and are circulated for general informational purposes only; these articles should not be regarded as business or investment advice. The articles represent the views of the writers and are subject to change without notice. Additionally, while every care has been taken in the preparation of the articles no representation or warranty as to accuracy or completeness of any statement is given. An individual or organisation should, before any business or investment decision is made, consider the appropriateness of the information in this document, and seek professional advice, having regard to objectives, situation and needs. This document is solely for the use of the party to whom it is provided.