In November 2022, OpenAI’s introduction of ChatGPT marked the beginning of a new era in artificial intelligence. As various companies rushed to develop their AI tools, concerns emerged regarding the potential negative impacts on employment. While fears of job displacement were widespread, a recent study from the United Nations’ International Labour Organization (ILO) sheds light on a more nuanced perspective.
According to an AFP report summarizing the study, AI is expected to transform work patterns without necessarily replacing human jobs. The ILO asserts that most jobs and industries are likely to experience only partial exposure to automation. Rather than being entirely substituted, most businesses are anticipated to be enhanced by the latest Generative AI technologies, such as ChatGPT.
The study emphasizes that the primary impact of AI will be changes in the quality of jobs, focusing on work intensity and autonomy. It further notes that the effects of AI will vary across professions and regions, with women potentially facing a higher likelihood of job impacts compared to men.
In a recent interview with The Atlantic, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the potential negative consequences of AI on society. While some in the AI community downplay the idea of job displacement, Altman believes that jobs will inevitably disappear due to AI. Altman also revealed that OpenAI could have developed an even more powerful AI than ChatGPT but recognized the need for society to gradually accept the idea of highly intelligent AI coexisting with humans.
As the conversation around AI and its impact on employment continues, the study from the UN’s ILO and insights from industry leaders like Sam Altman contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the evolving relationship between AI and the workforce.
