What is AGI and should recruiters be worried?

Last year, I wrote an article on GPT-4 and why recruiters should be excited about it (https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/what-gpt-4-why-should-recruiters-excited-james-hine/).

At that time, ChatGPT wasn't yet launched, but has since taken the world by storm. It has brought to life many of the predictions I made, and any recruiter worth their salt should be using this tool to automate and enhance aspects of their role.

As AI technology progresses at an astonishing rate, many experts now predict that AGI will be achieved within this decade (2020s).

What is AGI?

Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) refers to the development of a machine or system that possesses the ability to understand, learn, and apply its intelligence across various tasks, similar to human cognitive abilities. Unlike narrow AI, which is designed for specific tasks, AGI would have the capacity to perform any intellectual task that a human can do. It represents a leap from current AI technologies, like GPT-4, which excel at particular tasks but lack general-purpose intelligence.

Implications for the world of work:

The potential implications of AGI for the world of work are vast and varied. If AGI becomes a reality, it could dramatically transform the job market by automating numerous tasks and roles across industries. Consequently, some jobs may become obsolete, while new opportunities could emerge in areas that require advanced skills and expertise.

On the one hand, AGI could lead to increased efficiency and productivity in the workplace, as machines could perform complex tasks more quickly and accurately than humans. On the other hand, the widespread adoption of AGI could result in significant job displacement, with millions of workers potentially needing to upskill or transition into new careers.

What implications could this have for recruiters?

The landscape of recruitment has undergone significant changes since I first entered the industry. In the past, we relied on fewer technologies, and platforms like LinkedIn didn't exist. Our primary tool was the telephone, and we were encouraged to meet as many potential candidates and clients as possible.

Fast forward to 2023, and new recruiters have access to a plethora of tools and technologies to assist them in their job. The Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent shift to remote work have further transformed the life of an average recruiter. Nowadays, many recruiters believe that their role consists of sitting at a laptop, sending out LinkedIn messages, and making occasional phone calls. The art of face-to-face meetings and fostering genuine relationships is gradually being lost.

This is where the danger lies. It is precisely these aspects of your job that AGI can replace.

So what could a future with AGI look like?

In a world where AGI reigns, everything currently being done with a computer could be automated and improved with super intelligent AI systems.

Emails, data entry, candidate sourcing, CV screening, outreach, CV drafting, job adverts, and content creation could all be handled by machines. If we're being honest, for many people reading this, this is what they spend all day doing!

As technology advances, systems that are currently text-based, like ChatGPT, will increasingly become voice-based. While existing voice technology is not yet capable of holding complex, cognitively engaging conversations with humans, it's only a matter of time before it reaches that level.

In a world where machines can efficiently replace human tasks without making errors and at a fraction of the cost, there is cause for concern, isn't there?

I firmly believe that this could become a reality within the next 10 years. While a decade may sound like a long time, it is relatively short when considering a 30-40 year work career.

How can we future proof our careers as recruiters?

Although the future may appear daunting, I firmly believe that technology should not be perceived as a threat but rather as an enabler, helping us to improve and focus on areas where we excel.

Recruitment is a challenging profession because it involves dealing with humans who have emotions. Moreover, we deal with a significant aspect of their lives – their careers. In the grand scheme of things, few matters are more important than one's job, and changing jobs will always be an emotionally charged topic.

By nature, people tend to trust other people more than machines. For instance, why do grocery stores still employ human cashiers when self-checkout technology has been available for years? Why do most drive-thrus still have human staff taking orders even though the technology to replace them exists?

The reason lies in our inherent preference for human interaction over machines, a phenomenon deeply rooted in our evolutionary makeup. This preference is precisely why replacing humans in the recruitment industry with technology will be a challenging endeavor. People want to entrust their careers to a reputable, professional human who can guide them through the process.

These deep-seated relationships have always been, and will continue to be, best built in person. So, pick up the phone and have a conversation. Better yet, engage in video conferencing or even return to the "dark arts" of meeting in person for a coffee.

Conclusion?

It will be some time before robots completely take over the world, leaving humans subservient to them or engaged in all-out war, as depicted in popular movies like The Matrix and The Terminator.

Until that point, let's embrace technology and allow it to automate the more tedious aspects of our jobs. This will enable us to concentrate on the enjoyable parts, such as interacting with people, building relationships, and making sales!"