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ChatGPT and the workplace | Addressing concerns around job security
Written by Derick Maclean on 9 June 2023
Artificial intelligence and natural language processing have seen remarkable advancements in recent years, with ChatGPT, an AI language model, at the forefront of this progress.
While ChatGPT has the potential to revolutionise various aspects of our lives, it’s crucial to understand and address the potential challenges it presents in the workplace.
In this series of articles, we delve into three key issues that employers must grapple with, starting with concerns around job security.
Read our second and third instalments for advice on protecting your recruitment process against AI-related issues and preventing employee misuse.
How can we reassure staff that their jobs aren’t at risk?
One of the primary concerns when AI systems like ChatGPT emerge is the fear of job displacement. While it’s natural for employees to have such concerns, AI technology is a tool that can enhance productivity and efficiency, rather than a replacement for human workers.
With a report by Goldman and Sachs suggesting that AI could replace the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs, here are some ways employers can put employees’ minds at ease.
Communicate – emphasising that AI is a productivity tool, not a proxy
Clear communication is vital in reassuring staff members about their job security. Employers should proactively engage in discussions about how ChatGPT can support employees’ work, and highlight the unique skills and qualities that humans bring to the table, such as creativity, empathy and critical thinking.
By integrating AI systems into the workplace as collaborative tools, employers can help employees understand that their roles are evolving rather than being eliminated.
Be clear on how you intend to use AI
In order to reassure staff, it’s crucial that employers first understand themselves how AI is going to be used and what they are trying to achieve. Only by defining goals and objectives can you sell the benefits to your workforce.
Employers should carefully plan any implementation, create a roadmap, and make sure employees are part of that process. Again, they should place a strong emphasis on the ability of AI to enhance efficiencies and eliminate or reduce mundane repetitive tasks, thereby freeing up time for employees to focus on tasks that are more creative, build relationships or add value in other ways.
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Consider how AI might create opportunities
Despite doubts about job security, many sources suggest AI could actually create opportunities, as different sorts of skills or jobs are needed to deal with the new technology. In fact, the World Economic Forum predicts that by 2025, technology will create at least 12 million more jobs than it destroys, AI trainers for example.
Instead of solely focusing on job security concerns, employers should concentrate on upskilling or re-skilling their employees to use AI proficiently. This approach not only offers job security but also empowers employees to adapt to technological changes and seize new opportunities.
Highlight its role in achieving work-life balance and job satisfaction
Employees often find themselves overwhelmed with their workload. AI can make a huge difference by streamlining processes, automating tasks and enhancing overall productivity. By reducing the burden of time-consuming activities, employees can achieve a better work-life balance, leading to improved morale and job satisfaction.
Similarly, with many organisations experiencing staff shortages, AI can help to alleviate the pressure of resource limitations by enabling teams to accomplish more with the available resources, thereby lightening the load on employees.
Crucially, by allowing employees to offload mundane tasks, AI tools like ChatGPT give employees the freedom to be more creative and focus on higher-value, strategic initiatives. This not only increases efficiency but also fosters a sense of empowerment and fulfilment among employees, which can only be good news for employers.
That said, in order to realise these benefits, organisations must ensure AI is used as intended. While AI’s original purpose was to take the boring, repetitive tasks off our hands and allow humans to be more creative, some have expressed concerns that, in reality, the reverse is becoming true. It’s incumbent upon employers to manage this balance and ensure that AI serves as a tool to augment human capabilities rather than overshadow them.
Final thoughts
Addressing concerns around job security is crucial when integrating AI systems like ChatGPT into the workplace.
Ultimately, whether an employee’s job is at risk will depend on what they do; however, given where we are now, and the tendency for AI to hallucinate, it’s difficult to envisage a future where employees are replaced. Despite rapid advancements, we still need that human check and balance.
Indeed, most jobs don’t just require knowledge but also the practical application of that knowledge. AI models currently lack the level of skills such as judgment, commercial awareness and emotional intelligence that humans possess, so outside of the most basic and mundane tasks, it’s likely that AI models will be utilised as efficiency tools rather than a replacement – for now at least.
By effectively communicating the role of AI as a productivity tool, clarifying its intended use, and highlighting opportunities and benefits, employers can help alleviate employees’ fears.
The responsible integration of AI can enhance productivity, alleviate staff shortages, and improve work-life balance, benefiting both employers and employees. By embracing AI technology and empowering their workforce, organisations can navigate the evolving workplace landscape and unlock new possibilities for growth and success.
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