Title: Ask Lucas: Addressing Concerns about Job Automation and AI Advancement
Dear Lucas,
Recently, I’ve been fascinated by the power of ChatGPT and artificial intelligence (AI), but also worried about the impact they could have on job security. I fear that my own role might become automated in the near future. What are your thoughts on this?
Let me start by sharing an intriguing example related to AI and algorithms. Have you ever tried Spotify’s personalized playlists? They can curate a playlist for you based on your preferences, and the results can range from the romantic to the sensual. However, their accuracy can sometimes be debatable. For instance, during one of my experiences with their algorithm, I ended up with songs from a band called Death Grips. You can imagine the odd mix of being serenaded by screams while a train derails in the background. It made me think that maybe, just maybe, human touch is still irreplaceable. Songs like Burning Desire to Draw Last Breath and The End of Man Will Bring Peace to This Earth definitely left me scratching my head.
It’s quite amusing to think that Spotify offers such a service, especially since we envisioned ourselves teaching robots about love, not the other way around.
I hear you say, But algorithms are nothing compared to true AI intelligence. Well, take Snapchat’s chat bot, for example. It employs the state-of-the-art ChatGPT, yet when I asked it to write me an unauthorized prescription for cough syrup, it refused, citing safety concerns. Clearly, AI still has limitations in certain areas.
However, it’s quite disconcerting that people have managed to persuade Snapchat’s AI bot to provide instructions on creating a primitive form of mustard gas using household chemicals. In this case, technology has excelled in facilitating violence, yet it falls short in bringing us lasting happiness.
Do we need to worry about AI turning into Skynet and orchestrating our demise? Not really. If we do end up in a dystopian future, it will most likely be due to our own actions. We possess the capability to destroy society with our nuclear weapons without handing over that power to robots. We either pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and witness self-inflicted annihilation, or we can continue down the path of burning fossil fuels and see where that leads us.
Regarding your concerns about job disruption, it’s inevitable that certain industries will experience upheaval at some point. While the exact form of disruption remains uncertain, it’s essential to remember that technological advancements have historically caused disruptions. The advent of the internet, for instance, shook the newspaper industry and caused lean and challenging times.
Thanks to the internet, my work has changed significantly, and I’m sure yours has too. Despite the chaos, we survived, and here we are today.
In conclusion, while AI and automation present challenges, it’s important not to panic just yet. The examples I’ve shared demonstrate that current AI capabilities have their limits. Technological disruptions have occurred in the past, and industries have adapted. The key is to remain agile and open to embracing new ways of working. As long as we prioritize our human touch, creativity, and flexibility, AI advancements are unlikely to overthrow our workforce entirely.
Keep evolving, and let’s face the future with resilience and adaptability.
Sincerely,
Lucas
