Uncover Eye-Popping Insights to Turbo-Charge YOUR Understanding Today from the Long-Awaited Book by an AI Authority (Part 4)
This is the fourth part of insights to better understand AI from Ethan Mollick’s book, “Co-Intelligence”. This part will be about the quality impact of AI on employees and jobs. We are all aware that AI has already boosted productivity for many jobs to a great extent. However, this is not the end of the story. We should also think about quality as much as quantity. If you want to check the first three parts of this article series, here are the links:
Here are some thought provoking insights about the quality impact of AI.
Insight #10:
“In a recent study [1], Fabrizio Dell’Acqua explains why depending too heavily on AI can cause problems. He discovered that recruiters who relied on advanced AI tended to become lazy, less careful, and less skilled in their own decision-making. As a result, they overlooked some excellent candidates and ended up making poorer choices compared to recruiters who used less advanced AI or none at all.”
The name of this study is “Falling asleep at the wheel: Human/AI Collaboration in a Field Experiment on HR Recruiters”. Should we let AI drive autonomously or aren’t we there yet? Probably, we should still be on the lookout for what AI might miss. AI is great but so is natural intelligence. This reminds me the discussion between M and C in the James Bond movie, “Spectre” [2]:
“C : You can’t tell me an agent in the field can last long against all those drones and satellites.
M : Yes, you have information. You can find out all about a man, track him down, keep an eye on him. But you have to look him in the eye. All the tech you have can’t help you with that. A license to kill also means a license NOT to kill.”
Insight #11:
“Numerous studies consistently show that those who benefit the most from AI are the ones who were not performing well initially. AI helps poor performers to become good performers.”
Let me provide you with a concrete example. Consider two researchers possessing identical domain knowledge but varying levels of language proficiency. English is a foreign language for both individuals, yet one can write at a professional level comparable to that of native English speakers, while the other’s language proficiency is elementary at best. Historically, if the latter received no external assistance from an editor, their output would evidently be substandard. Now, all this second researcher needs to do is ask the AI to rephrase their study using proper English.
The first researcher, with proficient language skills, could also benefit from AI in their writing, but the marginal benefits for these two researchers would be vastly different. In the first case, the benefits would be minimal, whereas in the second case, they would be immense.
Insight #12:
“This suggests a major shift in how work operates, with AI making everyone perform exceptionally well. This change could be as significant as when machines took over manual labor. Back then, no matter how skilled you were at digging, you couldn’t match the efficiency of a steam shovel. In this scenario, the types of jobs available would change significantly, with education and skill becoming less important. If cheaper workers can do the same job in less time, there’s a higher chance of many people being without jobs, or at least not having enough work. This might lead to the need for new policies, like a shorter workweek or giving everyone a basic income, to ensure everyone’s well-being.”
I cannot fully agree with certain statements, such as those suggesting that “education and skill are becoming less important.” In today’s world, even before the last wave of AI developments, the Internet democratized access to information. As a result, information has become ubiquitous and readily available. However, education is not just for obtaining information. While it is a primary reason for education, there are several other important reasons:
Socialization: Schools provide a structured environment where students interact with peers, teachers, and other staff. This social interaction helps children develop important social skills like teamwork, communication, and conflict resolution.
Personal Development: School offers opportunities for personal growth and development beyond academics. Students learn important life skills such as time management, organization, and self-discipline. They also have opportunities to explore their interests and passions through extracurricular activities.
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Education encourages students to think critically and analytically. They learn how to evaluate information, solve problems, and make informed decisions, which are essential skills for success in both academic and professional settings.
Cultural and Global Awareness: Schools expose students to a diverse range of perspectives, cultures, and experiences. This fosters empathy, tolerance, and an appreciation for diversity, helping students become global citizens who are respectful and understanding of others.
Preparation for the Future: Education prepares students for the challenges and opportunities they will face in the future. It equips them with the knowledge, skills, and qualifications needed to pursue further education, enter the workforce, and contribute to society in meaningful ways.
In conclusion, while acquiring information is a fundamental aspect of education, the school experience encompasses a much broader range of benefits that contribute to individual growth, social development, and preparation for the future.
A recent study conducted by Business Insider and YouGov surveyed over 1,800 Americans from five different age groups. Among them, more than 600 respondents were from Generation Z and older than 18 years. The study focused on their opinions about the importance of higher education. Only 39% of Generation Z respondents said they consider advancing their education as significant. Additionally, 46% of them expressed doubts about whether college is worth the expense [3].
Thus, we face a generation that doubts the value of education, alongside a looming threat of unemployment. I hope this is resolved through measures such as shorter work weeks and universal basic income as the author suggests. Not through wars, catastrophes, famines, or epidemics.
To be continued with “Part 5”…
References
[2] “Andrew Scott: C,” IMDB. Accessed: May 04, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2379713/characters/nm0778831
[3] G. Yang, “Only 39% Of Gen Z Say Higher Education Is Important,” Poets and Quants for Undergrads. Accessed: May 04, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://poetsandquantsforundergrads.com/news/only-39-of-gen-z-say-higher-education-is-important/
