The power of AI is in your hands. Here’s how to grasp it, according to these LinkedIn Top Voices.

This is a special edition of Tech Wrap-Up Australia in which we introduce you to six AI thought leaders on LinkedIn who are helping professionals stay across the major developments in AI, in order to help advance your skills and careers.

Throughout this article I will invite you to join the conversation by creating posts on LinkedIn, sharing your own observations and experiences with AI. Read on.

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AI use in Australia is booming

2023 will be remembered as the year artificial intelligence became ‘democratised’ — when it fell into the hands of everyday Australians who quickly grasped it to help make their work and lives easier.

But as people began to see the potential of AI, they also started to understand the problems it posed for themselves, businesses and governments — including the impact it will have on jobs and whether it poses an existential threat to humanity.

More than half of Australian consumers (52%) are now aware of generative AI and have explored the tool, according to a recent report by Capgemini Research Institute, with half of the respondents saying they use generative AI for making content, such as emails, essays and images.

For Australia, the surge in AI use has thrown up a number of immediate challenges. A recent government report questioned whether the nation has the professional knowledge and workers to be a leader in the fast-moving industry, and whether the concentration of AI resources within a small number of US-based technology companies is problematic for Australia.

Tech Wrap-Up Australia spoke to the top AI thought leaders on LinkedIn to explore why 2023 has been an explosive year for AI — and what professionals need to know and do to stay on top of one of the most significant technological developments since the computer and mobile phone.

AI is all around you

It was the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT that turbocharged the uptake of a technology that — until now — had predominantly been controlled by large technology companies.

微软 , LinkedIn's parent company, is one of the primary investors in OpenAI .

But AI isn’t actually new — we have been using it without really realising for the best part of a decade, explains Amanda Johnstone , the Founding CEO of AI mental health company Transhuman , in a post on LinkedIn.

“Artificial Intelligence is all over the news and our feeds now because the gatekeeping is over. It is no longer limited to multi billion or trillion dollar corporations or governments,” Johnstone said.

“Companies like OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, Cohere, and Midjourney have given individuals and organisations the opportunity to learn and scale leveraging AI tools.”

Johstone regularly posts on LinkedIn about how individuals and startups can use AI to maximise their efficiency, including how blue collar workers — such as construction workers — can incorporate it to make their jobs easier.

Smaller companies who want to incorporate generative AI into their existing apps or websites — or who want to build entirely new products or services — are choosing to do so by using Large Langel Models (LLMs) developed by established AI companies.

This is why you're seeing AI everywhere all of a sudden, explains Alex Brogan , Go-To-Market Lead at Zipline.io . By using OpenAI or Google's API (application programming interface), a small startup can now make a chatbot for their website faster, cheaper and better than if they were to try to build it from scratch themselves.

“Previously, companies needed significant resources, potentially tens of millions of dollars, to construct their own models due to the extensive computing power required,” he wrote on LinkedIn.

“This turning point marked the first instance where AI could be widely accessed and utilised for a broad range of tasks, rendering the technology tangible and practical for all, rather than just a nebulous concept.

“In terms of technological strides, exponential increases in computing power, declining costs, burgeoning internet usage that fed vast amounts of data, and breakthroughs in AI research also played pivotal roles in bringing AI to the fore.”

Brogan regularly shares tips and explainers on his LinkedIn profile about how people can use emerging AI tools in their working lives, while Johnstone recently launched an initiative where she wants to help upskill 500,000 people around the world in AI skills, by spending five to 10 hours every week teaching virtually.

?? Want to learn more about the rise of AI and it's impact on society? Follow Amanda Johnstone for more insights.

?? Want to advace your AI skills and learn how to use it in your job? Follow Alex Brogan for tips.

Generate new ideas with generative AI

Jamie van Leeuwen , a Sydney-based AI artist and founder of creative studio Absolutely Ai , made global headlines earlier in the year after winning a photography competition with an image made using AI.

He puts the rapid uptake of AI down to a number of factors, including how easy generative AI platforms are to access by the general public, the time-saving ‘hacks’ that millions of users are discovering, and the creativity that generative AI platforms are inspiring.

“We will look back on 2023 as the year that AI took centre stage and we were given a robot assistant to sit in the palm of our hands,” he said in a post on LinkedIn.?

“Generative AI tools are breaking down barriers and revolutionising the way people explore their creativity.”

In a recent LinkedIn post, Sissons explained how he was recently contacted by a photographer who has multiple sclerosis and is unable to go out and take photos as often as he would like due to his illness. The person told Sissons he had been inspired to start using generative AI as a substitute for photography.

“This email really drove home how powerful these tools can be for people to tap into their creative side by removing obstacles of distance, time pressures or expensive costs that are usually associated with creating art,” he said.

“How many times have you heard someone say ‘I’m not a creative person’ or ‘I have no artistic talent’? These are the people who I encourage to start playing with AI tools.”

He also uses LinkedIn to educate followers about the difference between real and AI-made images, and how it can also be used in political disinformation campaigns. Sissons explains that it is critical for creators to explain when AI is used, and for content consumers to know when something might be fake.

“AI Image, video, music and text generators are improving at a staggering rate and the double-edged sword is that anyone can use them for any purpose they please. So what happens when you’re flooded with even more convincing, compelling content and you can’t trust or accurately verify what you’re consuming?” he asked.

Sissons also uses LinkedIn to demonstrate practical uses of generative AI, including how businesses can use the technology to help create new products (like this beer he came up with). He also recently partnered with Pivotal Conversations to launch a podcast that is completely hosted by Artificial Intelligence.?

?? Want to learn more about how using generative AI in creative industries? Follow Jamie van Leeuwen for more insights.

?? How has AI changed your life in the past 12 months — has it made you more creative or efficient? Keep the conversation going on LinkedIn. Click here to share your thoughts in a post for a chance to be featured in upcoming articles by LinkedIn News Australia. ??

AI will change how you work

A global study by McKinsey & Company into the impacts of generative AI on the workforce recently identified that higher-wage knowledge jobs in tech, banking and retail were most likely to be displaced by AI — and that AI adoption could result in an economic benefit worth $6.4 trillion to the world's economy.

The research — which estimates that about 60-70% of worker hours worldwide could be automated — warned some jobs may disappear entirely or that employees could find their time is reallocated. McKinsey said “workers will need support in learning new skills" and predicted that “some [workers] will change occupations".

Brogan said when it comes to upskilling and preparing for an AI future, there are two key challenges to overcome: “One is mindset and the other is practical.”

“Often, people fall at the first hurdle of mindset because they believe change is too fast or upskilling is too difficult. This barrier can be overcome in three ways — start small, reframe the challenge and find your 'why',” he said. Brogan explains these steps in detail in this recent LinkedIn post, and also shares some free resources to get started learning.

In a recent LinkedIn post, Aruna Pattam — head of AI Analytics & Data Science (APAC) for 凯捷咨询 — said AI is not just a technology but also a career revolution that is creating ground-breaking roles that redefine our career landscape.

“We're witnessing the emergence of jobs like AI ethicists who navigate the moral compass of AI, and novel roles like prompt engineers who leverage AI's conversational capabilities to facilitate better human-machine interactions,” she said.

“This accessibility to easily develop AI skills is game-changing. From massive open online course (MOOCs), to YouTube and other online platforms filled with insightful tutorials, the resources to master AI are vast and varied.”

“Remember, in the journey of AI learning, your biggest asset isn't a degree — it's your passion for discovery and growth. If we're always ready to embrace change and learn new skills, we can stay relevant no matter how the job market evolves.”

Pattam regularly posts to LinkedIn about how businesses and industries are incorporating AI into their operations to find new opportunities. She recently launched a video series on her profile called AI in Business, where she profiled how particular industries are already using AI, including in agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, cybersecurity, banking and oil and gas.

“Historically, technology has both disrupted and created jobs. I believe the rise of AI could follow similar patterns, with new industries and opportunities emerging as old ones fade away,” she said.

?? Want to learn how to use AI in your daily and professional life? Follow Aruna Pattam for more advice.

?? What new skills do workers need to ensure they don’t get replaced by AI? Click here to create a post on LinkedIn sharing your insights to help inspire and educate others. ??

More female AI professionals are needed

Beyond job losses, another cause for concern is how to ensure emerging AI technology adequately reflects all the people using it. Experts are worried that if more women aren’t attracted to roles in the sector to help build the technology, then AI products could contain bias against women.

Recent LinkedIn data revealed women are underrepresented in AI roles in Australia, with only 31% of local AI talent being female. You can see the full data here.

That figure has been slowly improving — up from 28% in 2016 — however Stela SOLAR , the Director of the National AI Centre at the CSIRO , said it needs to be higher to ensure the AI technology being developed contains a diversity of views.

"If girls are not participating in AI and STEM education, it means they may become more vulnerable in our increasingly technological world," Solar said in a post on LinkedIn.

"We see shocking examples of unintended bias all around us — from biases in loan approval processes, to increased risk of severe injury to women involved in car accidents because the testing was based on a male body crash test dummy."?

The Australian figure is below that of Canada (33%), Estonia (39%), Italy (37%), Singapore (36%), New Zealand (34%), Mexico (33%), Hong Kong (32%) and is equal with the US (31%). However it is higher than Germany (23%), France (28%) and the UK (30%).?

"Technology careers are amongst the best paid careers, and the technology industry is hungry for skills and talent. If girls today aren't engaging in STEM subjects that means girls of today may not be in a position to have thriving careers that enable financial independence," Solar said in a LinkedIn post, where she shared her own story about getting into tech.

• LinkedIn data for the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report shows the share of women in Technology, Information and Media roles in Australia is at 40% for entry level positions, but drops to 20% in C-Suite-level roles (the highest-ranking senior executives in an organisation).

For C-suite roles in STEM industries in isolation it drops to 11%.

"When we consider that it is often those with STEM skills who design, shape and build the world around us, we need to ensure that there is diversity in the development teams that reflects the rich diversity of our communities. Otherwise we will build technology, products and services which are not fit for purpose and which don't create positive outcomes for our community," Solar said.

Pattam said there are four ways to encourage women to take up tech and AI roles, including: nurturing curiosity in primary school; empowering high school girls; boosting opportunities in higher education and vocational training; and up-skilling and reskilling in the workplace.

“True diversity in AI isn't just about numbers — it's about fostering an environment where all voices are heard, and all contributions are valued. Women have the ability, the intelligence, the creativity – they simply need the opportunity,” she said.

?? Want to learn more about the?about improving gender representation in the AI sector and the opportunities for girls and students in AI? Follow Stela SOLAR for more advice.

?? How can the tech industry encourage more women into the tech sector? Click here to share your thoughts in a post. ??

To regulate or not?

Outside of how it will impact careers, Australia and countries around the world are still grappling with how to regulate AI technology in a way that keeps people safe, but doesn’t stifle innovation.

It comes amidst concerns from global AI leaders that if unregulated, AI poses an existential risk to humanity on a scale comparable with nuclear war and pandemics — a declaration that has been applauded by some and criticised as alarmist by others.

A report commissioned by the Australian government to consider the opportunities and threats of LLMs recently suggested banning "high risk" artificial intelligence applications. It also warned that “the concentration of generative AI resources within a small number of large multinational and primarily US-based technology companies poses potentials risks to Australia”.

Technology lawyer and AI developer Raymond Sun specialises in AI regulation, and regularly shares his analysis on LinkedIn as countries attempt to regulate the technology. Check out his recent posts on Europe, Singapore, Japan and Italy.

“As Australia debates how to legislate AI, I would like to see a regulatory approach that balances both principle and practice in a way that actually suits the Australian AI scene, rather than just blindly copy other jurisdictions' models,” Sun said in a post on LinkedIn.

“For example, we could have a risk-based system similar to Europe, Canada, Brazil and Thailand where the technology is ranked in order of risk, but that is supported by Russia and Singapore-inspired toolkits and regulatory sandboxes that still support innovation.”

Sun recently created a website that keeps track of AI regulatory updates across the globe. The site hosts an interactive world map where users can click on a country to see a summary of its AI regulatory approach and developments.

So far the map covers Canada, the US, Brazil, Argentina, the European Union, Russia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, South Africa and Saudi Arabia.

There is a push by leaders in the global AI industry to create an international watchdog to oversee safe creation and implementation of the technology, similar to the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency.

Brogan, who now lives in Silicon Valley in California, is well versed in debates about the need for ‘AI superpowers’ to develop the technology safely.

“There is no denying the concerns are real. AI, in the wrong hands, has potential for misuse, making it easier for bad actors to cause harm,” he said in a recent post exploring the need for global cooperation on AI development.

“This calls for an open dialogue between industry leaders, policy makers, and the public. Regulation should be flexible and adaptive to keep pace with this rapidly evolving technology.

“At the same time, a strong emphasis must be placed on ethics and transparency to ensure AI operates within a framework of public trust. In essence, the path forward is a collaborative one, because AI is here to stay so it is our responsibility to ensure its evolution aligns with our shared values and benefits humanity as a whole.”

?? Want to stay across developments in global attempts to regulate AI? Follow Raymond Sun for more insights.

?? Do we need a global AI agency to oversee safe implementation of AI technology??Click here to share your thoughts in a post. ??

The future of AI: quantum, cyber and the digital divide

When regulatory issues are addressed, the AI industry will face emerging questions on its impact on cybersecurity, how to find the computation power needed to fuel the technology, and — eventually — how quantum computers will turbocharge AI development.

“As AI-powered technologies become more widespread, they will collect and analyse more and more of our personal data. This raises serious concerns about privacy and cybersecurity.?We'll need to find ways to protect our data from misuse, while still allowing AI to be used for beneficial purposes,’ Said Pattam in a recent post about the many unknowns for AI.

“As AI becomes more complex, it will require more computing power to train and run AI models. This will put a strain on our current computing infrastructure. We'll need to find ways to develop more efficient AI algorithms, and to build new computing platforms that can meet the needs of AI.

“Finally, quantum computing has the potential to revolutionise AI and could solve problems that are currently intractable for classical computers. It can turbocharge AI, but we need to think about what it means for things like ethics and security before we dive in.”

As tech companies in countries like the US and China sure up their AI infrastrucutre, Brogan warned AI should not be used to further the digitial divide between nations.

"We should draw optimism from AI's potential not to exacerbate, but rather address socio-economic disparities — it can democratise services like healthcare and education, traditionally hampered by cost and access issues," he said.

"The prospect of offering a personalised doctor or teacher to every individual, regardless of their location or economic status, represents a leap towards equality of outcomes.

"Entering an AI future whilst preventing a digital divide between countries, organisations, and people is a tough but important challenge."

?? What emerging issues do you think will dominate the AI sector in the future? Click here to share your thoughts in a post. ??

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Reported and proofread by: Marty McCarthy

Senior Managing Editor: Capucine Yeomans

Special Projects Leads: Natalie MacDonald (APAC) Michele Pierri (International)

Regional Lead: Pooja Chhabria

International Executive Editor: Sandrine Chauvin

About this article

This article features experts from LinkedIn's Top Voices program covering the Finance community. Top Voices is an invitation-only program featuring a global group of experts on LinkedIn covering a range of topics across the professional world, helping members uncover valuable knowledge relevant to them. You can learn more here. You can also revisit our other Top Voice articles including Gender Equity, Next Gen, Greener Together, Social Impact, Mental Health, First Nations, Job Search and Careers, Tech & Innovation and LGBTQIA+ here.

Who is eligible to be a Top Voice

LinkedIn members who meet high trust standards, are consistently active on the platform and share valuable expertise are eligible to be a Top Voice, with the exception of LinkedIn and Microsoft employees, members who have violated LinkedIn’s User Agreement — including our Professional Community Policies — or individuals currently running in a political election for an executive, legislative or judicial position.

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