(Editor’s note: Ben Backus is a retired military aviator and corporate educator. Jack Bernard is a retired corporate SVP and sits on numerous local, state and national boards.)–eeb
By Jack Bernard with Dr. Ben Backus
PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. | Watch out Americans! Artificial intelligence (AI) and chatbots are not passing fads. As you read this column, AI and ChatGPT are changing the way you live — and most of you haven’t even noticed.
Both are arguably more important than the appearance of the Internet. The Internet was born about 50 years ago, but did not become common until the mid 1990s. Many of us thought it was a short-term phenomenon. However, we all cannot imagine a world without the Internet now.
Further, we should all be worried, very worried. There are significant dangers as machine learning expands. The downside potential is exacerbated by worldwide greed. That’s the same greed that caused the infamous Sackler family to push opiates when they must have known that innocent people would rapidly get addicted.
The alarm has been sounded. Developers are openly saying stronger controls are needed, immediately to curtail these new elements in our society. However, firms hesitate to restrain themselves in any significant way.
Due to the profit motive underlying their efforts, developers have a “you go first” attitude. Companies believe that they cannot afford to stop developing because their corporate competitors might gain an advantage. So, unless outside regulatory efforts change the working environment, development will continue at an exponential rate. That is, unless multi-national governmental agreements are reached, and strictly enforced, to control capability expansion.
While remarkable productivity improvements will be realized with advanced AI, many white-collar and administrative jobs will then disappear. That said, new jobs will be created. However, these displaced people must be willing to retrain themselves and obtain new knowledge and skills. That will be more difficult for older workers, as was true in the industrial revolution.
The chatbots will still be able to do mundane and repetitive tasks, as well as much more complex activities, such as writing, translating, coding, and creating images/videos. We envision a time when chatbots will covertly take LSATs and bar exams. They may even be composing briefs to go before the Supreme Court.
If your job involves physically doing something, such as building/repairing things, caring for children/adults, and similar activities, then you might be okay, at least for a while. However, if your position requires critical thinking and/or human interaction, in the very near future the AI might do a better job at a much lower cost. For a real-life example, it’s estimated that IBM will replace around 26,000 employees over the next five years with AI.
Customer service chatbots, such as GetJenny and LivePerson, already provide 24/7 support and do not require vacations, childcare, or medical insurance. Beware copy writers, commuter coders, software designers, bookkeepers, accountants, tax preparers, human resources, and other white-collar workers. The next generation of chatbots will be even more effective at displacing you.
What should we do to prepare the younger generations? Tell your children and grandchildren (if they will listen, an age-old problem) to learn about AI, including ChatGPT, GPT-4, and similar subsets. The field is still wide open, the current pay amazing- and will only increase.
Will we see machines taking over for humans in our lifetime? We hope not, but care must still be taken. Further, the USA alone cannot control the expansion of Artificial intelligence. We have a clear choice – act internationally utilizing a comprehensive strategic plan, or ignore AI and ChatGPT at our peril.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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