The question about the impact of AI on the future of work is of paramount importance in an era where AI is rapidly transforming many industries.
I still feel a lot of perplexity, fear, detachment from those who think it is yet another 'technological trend' that will make a lot of noise and will only affect technology companies. Instead, I believe that this time it is essential to "get your hands dirty" and focus on how to make the most of this new technology that will change the entrepreneurial fabric forever.
Most of those who know its characteristics are moving in this direction. I am in contact with hundreds of entrepreneurs from all over the world who every day try to leverage AI to improve every aspect of their work.
Their questions are: “How can I improve the processes of my department xxx?”, “Do you know this AI application? I've been testing it for a few days and it looks good but it's new.”, “I need to train my team on the ChatGPT API to review communication processes, who teaches me?”.
Entrepreneurs who are on the spot every day, because this is not a technological revolution that can simply be delegated to technicians. It requires a level of awareness of its potential at a managerial level, because it profoundly changes the strategies of the companies that adopt it and the destinies of those who instead think of refraining from doing so.
Therefore, the question we should be asking is not whether AI will steal our jobs or bankrupt our companies, but rather how we can make the most of this powerful new emerging technology.
Ipse dixit
I share a few more or less anonymous themed quotes that are inspiring me in this period.
“Are you afraid that AI will steal your job? Know that someone who knows how to use AI will steal your job"
(nothing to add, except that you should be a little worried)
“It doesn't matter much what you know because often what you know is already outdated. It matters how fast you learn.”
(It's a priceless capability. And that's especially true with AI. )
“At the end of this decade, there will be two types of companies: ... those that fully utilize AI ... and those that will be off the market." P. Diamandis
(He sounds a bit alarmist but he feels the urgency to act even more than I do…)
These days I'm focused on these priorities: 1) Every CEO old or young should be able to do AI on their own without a "tech guide". 2) Every CEO/President should have the tools to understand how AI will impact their business using simple frameworks. 3) Every CEO/President should be able to build an AI app with their laptop with no technology and zero code. 4) Every CEO/President needs to build a path to understanding how to see AI in the value and margin chain of their businesses. 5) How to outsource AI developments to external vendors with confidence AI vendors with confidence and without getting ripped off.
(Written by an Indian friend, a tech entrepreneur, in the days on a group. Let's assume that any of these points are unattainable. If you are running a company, choose at least one to start with. Then move on to the others.)
Better call GPT
I will come back to these topics many times because you know, the first step to take for a change is that of awareness. Below I leave you with a text generated by Chat-GPT4 to which I asked to help me define some priorities from his point of view.
Then tell me if you read it with the same interest as a text written by a human.
“Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing our world. But to make the most of its potential, we need to consider several aspects.
First of all, adaptation and training. It's not just about acquiring new skills, it's about developing an open and adaptable mindset. This is the key to not just surviving but thriving in the age of AI. And remember, it's not just about technical skills. Creativity, critical thinking, data analysis and communication are just as important.
Let's talk about creating new jobs. AI isn't just taking the place of certain jobs, it's creating new ones. Machine learning engineers, AI ethicists, conversational AI specialists, data analysts – these are just some of the new emerging roles. We shouldn't fear this change, we should embrace it.
And then there is the reorganization of work processes. AI can free us from repetitive tasks, allowing us to focus on what really matters. This is why it is essential to review and reorganize our work processes, leveraging AI to improve the quality of our work.
But let's not forget the importance of man-machine collaboration. AI should not be seen as a substitute for humans, but as an extension of our capabilities. By creating a synergistic working environment between man and machine, we can achieve better results and greater job satisfaction.
Furthermore, ethics and social responsibility are fundamental. AI must be used ethically and responsibly. We must ensure that its impacts on society and people are properly considered and managed.
We cannot forget the importance of innovation and research. We must continue to invest in research and development to maintain our competitiveness and promote innovation. An outright ban on AI is neither a realistic nor a desirable solution.
Access and inclusiveness are key. We must ensure that AI is not a privilege for a few, but a benefit for all. This means working to reduce the digital divide and promote diversity and inclusiveness in the AI industry.
Finally, regulation and governance are crucial. We need to develop a regulatory framework that guarantees the responsible and safe use of AI, while protecting people's privacy, rights and freedoms. Transparency in the decisions made by the AI is essential.
To do this, awareness and communication must be promoted. People need to understand AI, its benefits, limitations and implications. Only in this way can they develop a critical and informed attitude towards this technology.
Bottom line, to get the most out of AI, we need to take a holistic approach. We need to adapt, train, create new jobs, retool our work processes, collaborate with machines, respect ethics and social responsibility, promote innovation and research, ensure access and inclusiveness, and establish regulation and effective governance.
Yes, it's a tall order. But we know the future is full of opportunities, and AI is one of them. We shouldn't fear it, but welcome it as an opportunity for growth and innovation.
And remember, AI can do a lot, but it can't do everything. The final touch? That has yet to come from us, humans.”
SO?
I won't hide from you that I have tried to be direct and categorical in exposing these points, and perhaps I have been too general when I spoke of artificial intelligence without going into the merits.
But I cannot stress enough how crucial it is that AI is part of the mindset of those who lead companies, how important it is that this novelty is accepted, thoroughly studied and that its implications are carefully considered before deciding if it is an opportunity to be exploited or a risk to be avoided.
We are facing a radical transformation. How we adapt, train and prepare for the future will be key. Each of us has the power to shape our own path in the world of AI.
My invitation, summarizing the post, is this: Immerse yourself in this new era. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty.
Be curious, be brave, and be ready to learn. The future is in your hands.
And above all choose (quickly) if you want AI
be your assistant,
is a co-pilot,
be the next CEO of your company.
There is no choice other than these!
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