By: Ashlyn Bi July 27, 2023
The recent surge of Artificial Intelligence has altered many lives in numerous aspects. From asking Siri and Alexa questions to teaching students challenging concepts to summarizing long articles into simple words, people have been finding various methods to employ A.I. and increased productivity. No matter what job someone undertakes, they can find different ways to utilize chatbots and websites to complete even the most challenging tasks. These positive impacts seemingly allow people's jobs to feel more efficient, but there remains ethical concerns regarding the roles of humans in the future. Specifically, many businesses have been experiencing mixed emotions surrounding these technological developments, wondering if it will actually be beneficial for them long-term.
Business owners have swiftly realized that the tedious hours once spent at their desks, painfully analyzing long data lists, can be transformed into moments of freedom and enjoyment instead. The rapid rise of A.I. has proved to be a game-changer for these individuals. By using A.I.-powered software like ChatGPT, the laborious task of storing data into corresponding tables can now be completed in mere seconds, saving both time and resources. Astonishingly, 54% of business owners have claimed that A.I. has substantially increased productivity. This newfound efficiency has allowed entrepreneurs to focus more on innovating, boosting several businesses to new heights. A.I. can even play a vital role in enhancing cybersecurity for businesses. By employing advanced learning algorithms, A.I. software can analyze massive amounts of data to detect any possible anomalies and suspicious activities. With 50% of business owners utilizing A.I. for Cybersecurity, and eliminating numerous online threats to their organizations, a new level of protection ensures the confidentiality of important information and guards companies against financial loss. To add on, business owners often face challenges in the competitive economy we live in today. Fortunately, A.I. offers many solutions to propel businesses ahead. Many A.I. websites specialize in creating graphics like “Canva." Others develop compelling emails and help corporations reach their target audience. 61% of companies utilize A.I. to optimize their emails, and another 55% confide in A.I. to create personalized services and recommendations of products. In fact, A.I.-powered translation software allows businesses to bridge language barriers, reaching their international customers seamlessly and maximizing sales. Numerous A.I. websites can even help you create your websites and videos with audio. All of these resources allow businesses to enhance their products. Several business owners even acknowledge that these developments will support their companies more than the workers in the long run. Amir Husain, the founder and CEO of "SparkCognition" says, “It’s a form of software that makes decisions on its own, that’s able to act even in situations not foreseen by programmers." Additionally, a study conducted by Harvard Business Review found that three-quarters of 250 executives believe A.I. will “substantially transform their companies within three years.” These technological improvements undoubtedly proved that A.I. completes tasks more efficiently and accurately, but it raises the question of what humans mean in the job force in the future.
Setting aside the multitude of benefits of A.I. in business, there are ethical concerns with utilizing these tools. For one, comparing the capabilities of Human Intelligence to Artificial Intelligence reveals a stark contrast. While the brain can process up to 1,000,000 operations per second, A.I. can handle 93,000 trillion operations per second. These significant differences clearly distinguish the average worker from their computer counterparts. As such, many individuals are beginning to wonder if their occupations will become obsolete. Indeed, signs of robots replacing humans are already in motion. Data Analysts, Researchers, Customer Service, Writers, and more are all facing troubles due to A.I.’s numerous abilities. Data indicates that 33% of survey participants expressed concerns that A.I. implementation in jobs could lead to reducing human participation in the workforce. Another 77% of consumers are concerned about the technological impact on human occupations. Especially the Art or Graphic Design industry where individuals make digital commissions are witnessing a downturn. A.I. software like “DALL-E” and “MidJourney” can generate art pieces with just a couple of sentences or less, raising concerns about the speed at which this software can create digital art. Although these tools can inspire more creativity and allow space for more complex and futuristic art, traditional art pieces could lose their demand, resulting in artists losing income. Artist Greg Hopwood even expressed, “Finding out that all of our work has been scraped into these datasets of these A.I. programs have been terrifying.” However, many researchers argue that “A.I. cannot replace artists.” They emphasize that A.I. lacks the emotional capacity and “special touch” that human artists possess. The absence of an emotional response from A.I. has been crucial in preserving human jobs and separating them from robots. Although the Art Industry is a small part of the economy, individuals expect similar results with many corporations after years of development.
(AI-generated artwork that won an Art prize)
Apart from the Art Industry, several other businesses are expressing discontent with A.I. developments and the potential impacts on their companies. Although A.I. is confirmed to improve cybersecurity, advanced technology can also help individuals hack and steal information from businesses. One specific way someone could achieve this is by using deep fakes: digitally altered videos to make someone seem like another person. Realistic voices can also be attached to these videos to make them seem like a trusted person to an important official. Passwords and sensitive information can be obtained through these A.I. websites, potentially leading to threats within businesses. Another concern is increased competition within various industries since starting a website and finding products becomes increasingly accessible. Besides, business officials are concerned about recruiting individuals with “real talent” and “drive” when working. Employees now lag on their tasks and rely on A.I. to complete their duties, signaling the shift toward robots taking over human roles. Although these substantial changes have not taken action yet, it is clear that A.I. will quickly adapt to human habits and possibly beat them in this business competition.
Artificial Intelligence has become an indispensable tool that enhances our daily lives. Although, in the future, we must acknowledge the significant changes that may occur in various industries, including business. While we cannot stop the progress of A.I., individuals need to protect their creativity and ensure that robots do not entirely replace themselves. Cultivating creative thinking, problem-solving skills, and emotional intelligence is crucial for individuals to remain vital contributors in their fields. Instead of fearing A.I., we should view it as a catalyst for personal growth, inspiring future innovation and success.
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