A new study conducted by Harvard Business School has found that ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence (AI) tool developed by OpenAI, has both positive and negative effects on white-collar workers. The research, outlined in an article from The New York Times, examined over 750 business consultants and discovered sharply mixed results in their work performance when utilizing ChatGPT.
The study revealed that ChatGPT was beneficial for brainstorming tasks as it improved both the speed and quality of work. However, when it came to more analytical tasks, the AI tool proved to be a distraction. The reactions among workers varied, with some likening ChatGPT to Prometheus stealing fire from the gods and others comparing it to junk food—easy and enjoyable to consume, but ultimately detrimental.
Maryam Alavi, a professor at the Scheller College of Business at the Georgia Institute of Technology, commended the study, stating that it highlighted the need for further research in this emerging field. Alavi, who has extensively examined the impact of new digital technology on workers and businesses, emphasized the importance of expanding our understanding.
One of the tasks carried out in the study involved consultants brainstorming and creating a business plan for a new type of shoe, exploring persuasive writing. Evaluators rated the work of consultants who used ChatGPT more favorably. However, when reasoning based on evidence was required, the AI tool was not helpful. In fact, consultants who did not use ChatGPT performed the best when interpreting spreadsheet data in relation to mock interviews with fictional company executives.
The release of the Harvard study follows recent findings from a ResumeBuilder survey, which reported that nearly 40% of AI-using business leaders have already replaced workers with AI this year. Additionally, 44% of these leaders anticipate job cuts in 2024 due to AI’s efficiency. These findings align with a joint PYMNTS Intelligence-Billtrust study that revealed business leaders embracing AI technology, particularly when seeking to modernize and streamline costly, outdated, and manual processes, which are prevalent in most business-to-business (B2B) payment procedures.
The PYMNTS study stated that 84% of business leaders surveyed believed generative AI would have a positive impact on the workforce, enabling a higher level of customer-centricity and more accurate predictions compared to conventional technologies.
As this AI technology continues to shape the workplace, it is clear that certain tasks can be enhanced by tools like ChatGPT. However, it is important for businesses and researchers to further explore its limitations and possible negative impact on workers. The new study from Harvard offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between AI and human workers, highlighting the need for continued investigation and understanding in this evolving field.
