What's at Stake: The Urgency to Get Ready for AI Now (Here's How)

Years ago, in the distant past of the mid 2010s, we talked about how Artificial Intelligence was going to dramatically disrupt industries, organizations and jobs. AI existed back then, but it was still distant from everyday use cases that most people would either experience or understand that AI was behind it. Today, that’s no longer the case.

Generative AI changed everything. AI became as ubiquitous a product as smartphones. The adoption of chatGPT by the first 100 million users happened at an almost ridiculous speed, second to none. And now AI is already disrupting industries and reshaping jobs. The Brookings Institution reports that over 30% of all workers could see 50% or more of their tasks affected by generative AI.

With such a massive shift looming, the urgency to prepare for AI’s effects on the workforce is higher than ever.

How can we ensure workers benefit from AI instead of being displaced by it? What strategies can help organizations leverage AI responsibly?

What is the role of HR leaders, policymakers, and businesses to develop comprehensive strategies that safeguard workers' futures while embracing AI-driven transformation?

Understanding the Impact of Generative AI on Jobs

AI technologies like ChatGPT are unique in that they excel at tasks previously thought too complex for machines, including cognitive and non-routine tasks. This shift means that middle- to high-skill roles are now at risk, unlike past automation that largely affected blue-collar jobs.

According to the Brookings’s report:

• More than 85% of workers could see at least 10% of their tasks impacted by AI, while 30% of all workers could see at least 50% of their tasks disrupted by AI.
• Industries like law, healthcare, finance, and engineering face significant exposure.
• Job roles such as customer service, data entry, and even coding may be disrupted or augmented by AI.
• For women, who dominate administrative and support roles, AI presents both a risk of job loss and a chance for new skill development.
• AI’s deployment in the workplace is advancing rapidly, and while it presents opportunities for efficiency, it also threatens to widen inequality.

The Role of HR: Protecting and Empowering Workers

Human Resources (HR) has a vital role to play. HR leaders must act as facilitators, ensuring that AI deployment aligns with workers' well-being and organizational success. Here are key strategies for HR to consider:

• Upskilling and Reskilling Initiatives: Equip workers with the skills to collaborate with AI, particularly in roles most exposed to automation.
• Ethical AI Implementation: Implement AI systems that respect workers' rights and support fair labor practices.
• Worker Voice in AI Deployment: Involve employees in AI design and rollout to leverage their unique insights.
• AI Literacy Programs: Develop training programs to help workers understand AI’s role in their jobs.
• Support Mental Health and Adaptation: Offer mental health support and resources as employees adjust to the technological disruptions.

AI in Action: Sectors Facing Immediate Disruption

While every industry will likely feel AI’s effects, some sectors face more immediate disruption than others. Understanding which sectors will be hit first is crucial for both workers and organizations to brace themselves for the upcoming changes:

• Healthcare: Administrative tasks like maintaining records and managing patient data can be automated, while manual tasks like exams remain unaffected.
• Education: Teachers may benefit from AI tools for grading and lesson planning, while the human element of classroom management remains critical.
• Finance: Tasks such as data analysis and risk assessment may be automated, affecting roles from accounting to investment banking.
• Legal Services: AI is already capable of performing legal research and even some aspects of case management
• Creative Industries: Content creation roles such as writing and video editing are at risk, especially with AI tools capable of generating entire pieces of creative work.

The Urgency for Policymakers and Business Leaders

As AI continues to reshape the workforce, there is a pressing need for coordinated action from both business leaders and policymakers. Delaying such efforts could have dire consequences for workers and the broader economy.

• Regulatory Frameworks: Governments must create regulations that balance innovation with worker protection.
• AI-Specific Labor Standards: New labor standards should define acceptable uses of AI in the workplace.
• Investing in Worker Protections: Governments and corporations alike need to invest in worker protections, such as unemployment benefits for displaced workers
• Public-Private Collaboration: Public and private sectors should collaborate to ensure AI technologies are rolled out in a way that benefits society as a whole.

What Can You Do Now? Preparing for an AI-Driven Future

While generative AI holds immense potential, there are steps both individual people and organizations can take to mitigate risks and maximize benefits. Here's how to get ready:

• Engage in Continuous Learning: Regularly update your skills, particularly in areas where AI is less likely to automate work.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with AI trends in your industry to anticipate changes and pivot your career accordingly.
• Advocate for Transparent AI: Push for transparency in how AI is used in your organization, including decisions around task automation.
• Collaborate with AI: Learn to work alongside AI to augment your productivity, rather than fearing displacement.
• Support Ethical AI Policies: Advocate for and support policies that ensure AI is used ethically and responsibly across all sectors.

Generative AI, the American worker, and the future of work (by the Brookings Institute)

Download here.

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