It was lovely to talk to Kaplan’s head of learning the other week with my “keynote speaker about the future of work” hat on. I am often asked to do keynotes about AI or be a guest talking about it on a podcast. Like the ReThink Leadership podcast last month.
But this time it was different as it was lovely to be able to do a favour for a friend and appear on the Kaplan’s learn better Podcast. Where I chatted with not about my keynote speaking about technology for corporate clients. But about the future of AI in education and especially in the world of finance. Which I can assure you is about to be disrupted in a BIG way by AI. If it hasn’t been already…
If you don’t know who Kaplan are then Kaplan UK offers a range of courses for professional development and career progression, which are available online, on demand, or in physical classroom locations throughout the UK. Kaplan is a leading provider of educational programs, including comprehensive learning strategies and courses designed to help individuals succeed. And the host of their Learn Better podcast is their head of learning and development Stuart Pendley-Smith. In the podcast we discussed a WIDE range of topics and so I did a blog - with my AI - to help explain my thoughts on the future of work in the sector.
What are the different phases of understanding around AI?
People argue that AI has the power to revolutionise our work schedule and allow for more leisure time. Imagine a world where you only have to work four days a week instead of five. Or three instead of four. Or even just ONE DAY a week. Or perhaps more realistically for now - where you can leave the office early without feeling guilty because AI has taken care of your workload. There are three main attitudes towards AI in the workplace, as chatted about on the podcast, with a potential fourth camp emerging.
The first camp consists of people who are dismissive of AI, believing that their jobs are too complex to be replaced by artificial intelligence. These individuals feel confident that their skills are irreplaceable.
The second camp is made up of those who are undecided about AI. They acknowledge the potential impact of AI but are unsure of how it will specifically affect their own roles. They may feel a sense of uncertainty and are open to learning more about the benefits and drawbacks of AI in the workplace.
The third camp comprises individuals who are genuinely worried about the impact of AI on their jobs. They believe that AI will inevitably lead to job loss and feel concerned about their future career prospects. This group may feel anxious and may not fully understand how AI can be integrated into their work to enhance productivity rather than replace their roles.
However, it's important to note that there is a potential fourth camp, consisting mainly of young people. This group recognizes the positive impact of AI and embraces its potential benefits. They understand that AI can enhance their work and are eager to use it to their advantage.
The Impact of Age on Attitudes towards AI
Age can play a role in shaping attitudes towards AI. It's not necessarily a matter of older people being resistant to change due to their age alone. Rather, it's a psychological response to technological advances. Just as some bosses resisted using emails or social media in the past, there may be a similar resistance to adopting AI in the workplace. However, it's worth noting that technology adoption is not solely determined by age. Anyone can choose to be an early adopter or a late adopter of new technologies. It's a matter of mindset and openness to change.
The rapid advancements in AI technology, especially in recent years, have left many people feeling overwhelmed. It's like receiving a new computer without knowing how to use it. Some individuals may feel inclined to put it aside and consider it a useless tool.
But the truth is, AI has been around for more than a decade. The recent developments have simply made it more accessible and impactful. It's about unboxing the potential of AI and utilizing it to our advantage.
AI as Your Personal Assistant
AI can be seen as your personal assistant, always ready to support and enhance your work. With the right mindset and willingness to explore its capabilities, AI can revolutionise how we work.
“Think about AI like having your own intern, but without the limitations of time or resources. AI can assist with tasks, data analysis, and decision-making, ultimately improving your efficiency and productivity.”
It’s funny to note - that a school in the UK has now done this for their headmaster. And so for the first time ever an AI has been appointed to a board of a school. This kinda thing has already happened in the private sector with AI’s even taking over as CEO’s let alone being an assistant to the CEO.
The key here is to open our eyes and hearts to the idea of AI’s helping us more than computers ever have. We have to embrace the opportunities AI provides. It's not about fearing job loss but about leveraging AI to further develop your skills and expertise. By adopting an open mindset and taking the time to understand how AI can complement your work, you can position yourself for success in the future of work.
The Future of Work and the Impact of Generative AI
Generative AI, specifically through OpenAI and GPT, has significantly changed the landscape of technology and work. OpenAI made a bold move by essentially open sourcing their AI models and making them accessible to the public for free. This decision resulted in over 100 million users joining and utilizing the system, demonstrating its rapid growth and potential. It's worth noting that it took the telephone 72 years to reach 100 million users, while ChatGPT achieved this milestone in just 72 days. This widespread usage has contributed to the continuous improvement and advancement of generative AI technology.
This continuous growth is visible in various applications, including image creation, where generative AI now boasts a larger collection of images than photography achieved in 150 years.As Wired puts it…
“One of the most astonishing revelations, according to Everypixel’s report, is the sheer number of images produced using text-to-image algorithms within a single year. “To put this in perspective,” the report says, “it took photographers 150 years, from the first photograph taken in 1826 until 1975, to reach the 15 billion mark.” The numbers involved are truly mind-blowing”.
The Future of Work
Generative AI's impact on the future of work is significant. With tools like Code Interpreter, which is part of GPT-4, individuals can now accomplish tasks that would have required years of specialised training. For example, even someone with limited expertise, like a renowned psychologist, could become a data scientist for their clients in a matter of minutes. The accessibility and efficiency of generative AI are revolutionising traditional work methodologies.
Looking back at historical transformations brought about by technology, such as the internet, computers, and spreadsheets like Excel, one may wonder if these advancements resulted in job loss. Surprisingly, that wasn't the case. Instead, these innovations created new job opportunities and diversified the workforce. The same pattern may emerge with generative AI. As I talked about in the keynote for The StepStoneGroup. Consequently, the future of work is expected to transform as individuals adapt to and leverage the benefits offered by this AI technology.
With continuous advancements and increasing user participation, generative AI is poised to shape various industries and redefine job roles. While concerns of job displacement exist, historical precedents suggest that new opportunities will arise as technology evolves. It is crucial for individuals to embrace and adapt to these changes to excel in the ever-evolving work environment. Which is why I built www.aimarketingcourse.co.uk for marketing people or entrepreneurs wanting to have AI help their job and am part of www.aiteachercourse.com to help AI in education.
As I like to say:
“AI won't replace you. But someone using AI will”.
About the Author
Ted X talker, keynote speaker, ex marketing agency owner, digital trainer, serial tech startup founder and now media spokesperson Dan Sodergren's main area of interest is the future of work, remote work, AI and data and tech startups helping the world become a better place to live and work. He is co-founder of www.YourFLOCK.co.uk - the employee feedback platform and has just started www.aimarketingcourse.co.uk using artificial intelligence.
In his spare time, as well as being a dad, Dan is a digital marketing and technology expert for TV shows and the BBC. Occasionally donning the cape of consumer champion on shows like BBC WatchDog, the One Show and RipOffBritain and being a marketing tech specialist for SuperShoppers and RealFakeAndUnknown and BBC Breakfast.
He is also a host and guest on podcasts and webinars speaking as a tech futurist. As well as being a guest on countless radio shows. And a remote reporter / content creator for tech companies at tech events and shows.
His main interest is in the future. Be that the future of marketing, or the future or work or how technology will change the world for the better under the #Tech4Good and #Tech4All movement.
Find out more on bit.ly/DanSodergren and his books on https://futureofwork.gumroad.com/
References for the piece