How #AI is Shaping the Modern Workplace: Overcoming Challenges and Seizing Opportunities
Dan AIMarketing Sodergren
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Being a guest on the panel for the Business Consultancy Podcast.?
With Phil Lewis and Liz Timoney and Dr Simon Moore
It was a great honour to be asked on Consultancy Business Podcast with Phil Lewis in my role of tech futurist and keynote speaker on the future of work, technology, and AI.
Phil’s wisdom is legendary and his questions always so thoughtful. With two successful practices, multiple industry awards and a 92% client retention rate under his belt, Phil Lewis is a clear voice for the role of ethics and excellence in consultancy. So I love talking with him…
We have had many a conversation about creativity and consultancy (and the future of work
That a new study of AI versus 100,000 humans in creativity using the Divergent Association Test shows that GPT-4 wins. Aka AI is more creative than many humans… A kind of landmark moment for AI. With the study concluding that:
“Better prompting can further improve performance & diversity of ideas.”
Which means AI prompting is probably the limited factor for AI skills and getting the most out of AI at work. That and people simply not using AI or different AI’s so it was interesting to see the numbers on this. As it is a question I often ask in my keynotes on AI and the future of work. How many people use chatGPT and other versions of AI? The situation is different in the US.
Which comes as a surprise to some as Ethan Mollick points out
“I would not have expected that 7% of Americans are already using ChatGPT daily, and almost 1 in 5 Americans use an LLM at least weekly”
So for me, with my European organisations for my keynotes, It is also shocking to me how many people have used AI, but not more than once a week, and then no more than one version of AI. Again why AI training is going to be so important especially for consultants.
Not everyone thinks like I do
As going on Phil’s podcast proves. I might even be in the intellectual minority and in my own AI bubble. As many consultants are not convinced by the power of AI. But is this much more to do with the fear of it. As Phil says in the podcast description.
“how worried should consultants be about AI — and can it help?”
So it was great to have a panel discussion with Phil about on the seemingly unstoppable rise of AI in every sector. Where Phil was joined by
Liz Timoney — trainer of over a thousand corporate leaders, coach, speaker and author of Unstuck: Change Your Life Story
Simon Moore — CEO of IB, doctor of Psychophysiological Psychology and a Chartered Psychologist with the BPS.
And myself — Dan Sodergren — keynote speaker, expert media guest and author on the future of work, technology and AI
Where we discussed many things (have a listen to the full podcast here) such as…
How is AI changing your workplace?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the work environment in substantial ways. From handling routine tasks to overhauling entire business models, its impact on workplace dynamics is significant. But who really controls this potent technology?
While AI offers numerous possibilities, it also introduces challenges that require careful navigation. As consultants, we find ourselves making decisions that will influence the future of work.
In this blog post, as well as in the podcast, I examine the varied effects of AI on workplace psychology
We’ll explore the balance of power, opportunity, and the human element in the era of AI. As the varied ideas of my other co panellists prove — this is not a one size fits all solution.
The Role of Trust in AI-Enhanced Teams
Integrating AI into team dynamics
While AI can demonstrate competence, its inability to exhibit human-like character can hinder trust development. For example, Liz and Simon both made the great point that employees may feel uneasy working with AI bots that lack emotional intelligence and relational depth.
And Simon took this a stage further as cultural perceptions play a significant role in this dynamic. Western cultures, often characterised by individualism, could find it challenging to accept AI as part of the workforce.
In contrast, Eastern cultures, which prioritize community and team efforts, may adopt AI more seamlessly. This cultural lens shapes how we understand and trust AI, influencing overall team dynamics and effectiveness.
AI’s Impact on Team Performance and Ethical Concerns
As AI systems advance, they could take on lower-paid or routine tasks, leaving more complex problems to human consultants. However, this raises ethical questions. If AI handles mundane tasks, will there be a division between elite consultants and those performing basic functions? And if such a divide occurs, how will it affect overall team morale and performance?
Additionally, AI’s inherent biases, inherited from their human developers, add another layer of complexity. While humans can consciously correct their biases over time, AI systems might perpetuate these biases if not properly managed.
Despite these concerns, AI has the potential to enhance team performance significantly, provided there is a focus on ethical implementation
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Global Perspectives on AI: West vs. East
AI is perceived differently across the world. In the West, discussions about AI often come with a sense of fear, largely driven by cultural references like “Terminator” and other sci-fi films that depict AI as a threat. Meanwhile, in countries like Japan and China, AI is seen as a positive force that can improve daily life. Japan, for instance, views AI characters as helpers, not threats — a stark contrast to Western narratives.
This difference stems from deep-rooted cultural values. In the West, individualism is highly prized, making the idea of AI stealing jobs or invading privacy particularly unsettling. In contrast, Eastern cultures, which emphasize community, see AI as a way to enhance the collective good. This fundamental difference shapes how societies approach AI: Westerners often focus on the risks, while Eastern cultures see opportunities for communal benefits.
Maybe this is why countries like Singapore are now investing heavily into AI training
Cognitive Biases
Another critical issue is cognitive bias within AI systems. In the West, there’s a strong focus on the biases that AI might inherit from its human creators. The argument is that since human beings are inherently biased, the AI they develop will be biased too. However, this overlooks the fact that we rely heavily on biased human decisions in our daily lives. Why then are we so wary of AI biases?
One reason for this wariness could be control. Who governs the AI? In capitalist societies, people fear that large corporations will wield excessive power through AI, potentially exacerbating issues like inequality. Thus, it’s crucial to have robust regulatory mechanisms to ensure AI serves the greater good.
This is not just limited to companies; it extends to individuals too. This new realm of opportunities enables each of us to leverage technology for personal growth and greater productivity. We should approach AI with cautious optimism, harnessing its benefits while ensuring robust regulations protect societal interests.
FAQ’s
What is the main difference in AI perception between East and West?
The West often views AI with apprehension due to cultural references like “The Terminator,” whereas in the East, particularly in Japan, AI is seen more positively as a helpful, benevolent force.
Why do biases in AI systems concern people?
AI systems inherit cognitive biases from their human programmers. This is concerning because it means AI can perpetuate and even amplify existing biases and inequalities.
How can AI democratise opportunities?
AI tools are becoming more affordable, allowing even individuals to enhance their productivity significantly. This is unlike past technological revolutions where only the wealthy could afford advanced technology like tractors.
What makes the current AI revolution different from past industrial revolutions?
The potential democratization of AI technology means that more people can access and benefit from it. This could lead to widespread productivity improvements, unlike previous technological advancements that mostly benefited large corporations and wealthy individuals. Which is why I am trying to teach as many people as I can about prompt engineering and AI and keeping the course as cost effective as possible for everyone.
Should we be worried about the control of AI by large companies?
Yes, it is a valid concern. Effective regulation and oversight are needed to ensure that AI serves broad societal interests rather than just the profit motives of a few large corporations.
Final thoughts from me and my AI.
AI holds immense potential to positively reshape our world, making us more productive and creating new opportunities for everyone. However, this will require careful regulation and a shift in how we view and control this technology.
While there are legitimate concerns, the promise of AI democratizing access to powerful tools is promising and unprecedented. By balancing optimism with caution, we can steer AI developments towards a future that benefits us all.
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Chair of Expothon Worldwide, a think tank for advancing the SME programs on "National Mobilization of SME Entrepreneurialism" across 100 countries. A recognized authority on new economic thinking on SME mobilization.
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