AI: The New Panopticon (Circular Prison) For The Workforce?

From monitoring keystrokes to analyzing employee behavior, AI is becoming a potent tool for managerial control.

Aug 08, 2024

Is the AI-will-replace-us-all-one-day frenzy a form of propaganda designed to demoralize workers over a future that may never arrive? Should our focus today instead be on where artificial intelligence (AI) is actually deployed – that is, in the realm of worker surveillance?

All of these points and some other rather astute observations figure in a new report (scroll down for it) titled: AI Won’t Replace You — But It Will Spy on You.

From tracking keystrokes to monitoring productivity metrics, AI is becoming a powerful tool for management to oversee employees. Rather than a harbinger of mass unemployment as feared, AI is instead evolving into a sophisticated system of control, transforming workplaces into digital panopticons.

In Today’s Newsletter:

MIT Expert Explains How AI Will Transform, Not Replace, Jobs
Top 10 Jobs Chinese Netizens Believe AI Won't Replace
Dell Announces Major Job Cuts Amid Shift to AI Focus
Securing IT Jobs in the Age of AI: Experts Weigh In
AI's Impact on Jobs: More of Surveillance Than Unemployment: Report
AI Poised to Revolutionize Trucking Industry, Potentially Replacing Drivers
Canadian Bank to Hire Over 200 Employees to Boost Generative AI Efforts
ZoomInfo Report: AI Job Titles Have Tripled Since 2022
Oxford Researchers Call for Tighter Regulation on Large Language Models Due to 'Careless Speech' Risks
UAE Introduces AI Charter to Enhance Global Standing and Protect Consumers
IFS's Global AI Optimism League Table: Norway, Sweden, and France Lead, UK and USA Least Optimistic
MIT Researchers Develop “Take Home” Robot
Figure AI Unveils New Humanoid Robot Aimed at Competing with Tesla
Infinix and UNESCO Launch AI Robot Project in Kenya to Foster Creativity and Learning

….plus, in the “Minds And Machines” segment, we have AI advisor, author, and Founder of MKAI Richard Foster-Fletcher talking to us about AI and jobs….

….“Events” and more.

Our community "AI For Real" has a new virtual address. This online community has been in existence since 2023 across most of the social networks, and then some. It's one of the fastest-growing communities in the world on the topic of AI. Great place to be for all things AI. Job listings, Fun Facts, AI Demystified, AI Trends, AI Events, News...it's a whole new world out there.

Join here.

NEW: You can search this newsletter’s website using our AI-powered chatbot. Search for answers to questions on AI and employment. Go ahead. Try it!

MIT Expert Explains How AI Will Transform, Not Replace, Jobs

AI and machine learning automate certain tasks, but not all. Some tasks within a job may be ideal for automation, while others are not. As a result, the impact of AI on jobs will not typically be a one-to-one replacement, where a single AI system or even a group of task-specific AI systems eliminate a job entirely. However, AI will undoubtedly change many jobs.

To understand if AI will replace your job, MIT professor Daniela Rus, director of MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, explains the true potential of AI.

Source: fastcompany.com

Top 10 Jobs Chinese Netizens Believe AI Won't Replace

The question of which jobs will remain unaffected by artificial intelligence in the coming decades has been a hot topic of discussion. This debate has even trended on Chinese social media, with netizens actively sharing their opinions.

Based on the number of likes in the comment sections of the article, here are the ten jobs that Chinese netizens believe will never face unemployment due to AI advancements.

Source: medium.com

Dell Announces Major Job Cuts Amid Shift to AI Focus

US-based tech company Dell has announced another round of job cuts. According to a report by Bloomberg, this decision is part of Dell's broader strategy to shift towards artificial intelligence products and services, highlighting the increasing significance of AI in the tech industry.

While Dell has not disclosed the exact number of job cuts, various online reports estimate the figure to be in the thousands. A layoff tracking website indicates that approximately 12,500 employees will be affected.

Source: moneycontrol.com

Securing IT Jobs in the Age of AI: Experts Weigh In

With the rise of AI and a clearer understanding of its strengths, job security concerns in IT are growing. AI excels at tasks requiring repetitive focus and speed, as well as various technical and analytical tasks. Generative AI is already being used to assist in software development and predict coding errors.

Despite the many areas where AI shows promise, the need for human skills remains essential. To stay relevant, focusing on tech and IT careers that leverage AI's limitations, such as those requiring interpersonal skills, is crucial.

So, which specific IT jobs offer the most protection from AI? To find out, the author consulted labor and staffing experts.

Source: techtarget.com

AI's Impact on Jobs: More of Surveillance Than Unemployment: Report

When people talk about AI today, they are often referring to machines capable of making predictions by identifying patterns in large datasets. Despite this relatively routine function, many in the field believe AI will inevitably become autonomous or rival human intelligence. This raises concerns that robots could one day pose an existential threat to humanity or at least take over all our jobs.

In reality, AI is more likely to increase worker surveillance than to trigger mass unemployment, according to this report.

According to a recent survey by ADP, a vast majority of workers believe AI will directly impact their jobs, but opinions on how it will do so vary. Some feel it will assist them in the workplace, while 42% fear that aspects of their job will soon be automated.

Source: goodmenproject.com

AI Poised to Revolutionize Trucking Industry, Potentially Replacing Drivers

Trucking, based on population, is currently the largest single occupation that AI could replace.

The transition to a predominantly AI-operated trucking industry is expected to occur in stages as the technology advances. Numerous scenarios are possible, depending on what is deemed feasible and profitable.

Source: builtin.com

Canadian Bank to Hire Over 200 Employees to Boost Generative AI Efforts

The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) plans to hire more than 200 employees in data and artificial intelligence over the next year as it expands its use of generative AI.

As Canada’s fifth-largest bank, CIBC has implemented several pilot programs using generative AI. Christina Kramer, the bank’s head of technology and innovation, stated that they are adding staff in Canada to accelerate these efforts.

Source: bloomberg.com

ZoomInfo Report: AI Job Titles Have Tripled Since 2022

According to a new report from ZoomInfo, the number of artificial intelligence job titles has tripled since 2022.

Thanks for reading “AI For Real”. There are two versions of this newsletter - Free and Paid. If you press the “Subscribe” tab, it will get you your free subscription. But that will fetch you the bare basics. To grab the entire bundle that comes with this newsletter, it would be better if you become a Paid subscriber. That will fetch you an awesome experience, as spelled out here.

If I’ve convinced you to go in for the Paid version, click here.

Minds of the Machine: AI Experts on the Cutting Edge

This is a new segment I’ve introduced recently. Here, I feature interviews with experts, scientists, psychologists, philosophers and what may have you working in the field of artificial intelligence. This is the second in the series. If you, too, want to be featured, contact me here or on LinkedIn.

I recently interviewed Richard Foster-Fletcher, an AI advisor, author, speaker, and LinkedIn Top Voice. He is the founder of MKAI.org (Morality and Knowledge in Artificial Intelligence), an initiative dedicated to fostering AI’s responsible development and application.

Through his stewardship of the “Boundless Podcast”, Richard regularly delves into discussions about AI inclusivity and digital ethics, contributing to a more equitable technological future. His insights have illuminated lecture halls at globally renowned institutions, including the London School of Economics, University College London, Oxford University, and Imperial College London, guiding the next generation of tech leaders.

Richard publishes quite a popular newsletter on LinkedIn - AI Ethics, Work & Leadership.

Excerpts from this email interview:

Q1) It's been almost two years now since ChatGPT hit the market. Down the line, in your opinion, has gen-AI affected global employment the way it was anticipated to? If yes, why? If not, why? If it's the latter, do you see it affecting jobs on a big scale in the long run, say about 10 years from now?

Richard: It's true that it's been nearly two years since the release of ChatGPT 3.5. However, in business and enterprise terms, that’s really no time at all. We know how long it takes enterprises to adopt new technologies, considering the complexities of change management, procurement processes, and de-risking of different and new types of applications.

There were some early adopters, and some of them have made notable announcements. For instance, Klarna, a major player in the fintech industry, recently announced job reductions as they integrate AI into their operations. Anecdotally, many CEOs are inquiring about the opportunities for job displacement through AI. However, a better model to consider is the SAMR model: Substitute, Augment, Modify, and Replace.

CEOs should think specifically about each of these rather than focusing solely on replacement:

Substitute: Evaluate tasks that AI can perform as a direct substitute for human labour, freeing up employees to focus on more complex activities.
Augment: Identify areas where AI can enhance the capabilities of human workers, providing tools that improve productivity and decision-making without displacing staff.
Modify: Consider how AI can transform existing processes, making them more efficient or enabling new capabilities that were previously impossible.
Replace: Finally, determine where AI can fully take over tasks, but approach this step cautiously and ethically, ensuring that employees are transitioned smoothly to new roles or supported through reskilling initiatives.

In practical terms, SMEs, which can move much faster, have seen a significant impact on jobs. We've observed substantial changes in the freelance market, with platforms like Fiverr, Freelancer.com, and Upwork witnessing freelancers experiencing a reduced workload. Impacted jobs include translation, copywriting, research, design, and other creative services.

However, disruption doesn't have to lead to lower profits. Duolingo’s Experience with AI Integration provides a compelling example. Duolingo's share price initially dropped when ChatGPT was released, as investors were concerned about the potential competition from AI-driven language learning tools. However, Duolingo's subsequent strategic actions and innovations have contributed to its share price recovery.

One key factor in Duolingo's rebound has been the broader rollout and enhancement of its "Max" subscription tier. The company has also optimised their subscription offerings and focused on improving the Family Plan, which has boosted user retention. Analysts have noted that these improvements have made Duolingo's subscription model more attractive and sustainable, providing a solid foundation for revenue growth.

Moreover, Duolingo has started integrating AI-powered conversational experiences into its platform. This allows users to engage with the platform in a more interactive and practical way, enhancing the language learning experience. These AI-driven features, which include speaking with Duolingo characters, are seen as complementary rather than competitive to ChatGPT, offering a structured and playful learning environment that aligns with Duolingo's educational goals.

Additionally, Duolingo's access to advanced AI technologies through its partnership with OpenAI has given it an edge in developing these innovative features. This has helped boost investor confidence, as the company is perceived to be effectively leveraging AI to enhance its platform.

These strategic moves, combined with a favourable valuation after the initial drop, have led to a positive reassessment by analysts and a subsequent rise in Duolingo's share price.

In my own business, we’ve seen a reduced need for roles in marketing, HR, research, design, and legal. In some cases, we no longer require as many team members, and in others, we rely far less on external consultants. Recently, we automated significant portions of our website, saving thousands of dollars we would have otherwise spent on external consultants, all for a mere $20 a month per ChatGPT licence.

This scenario illustrates how AI is pulling wealth out of the traditional system. By scaling up, one can imagine the level of displacement possible, especially in larger companies. However, larger companies can't adopt AI as rapidly as smaller organisations.

In recent discussions with CEOs, several misconceptions about AI have surfaced, leading to strategic missteps. One common misconception is the belief that AI can be implemented without first addressing their data issues. Witnessing the potential of generative AI platforms like ChatGPT at home, many CEOs often rush to integrate similar technologies at work. However, leveraging AI effectively requires sorting out first-party and third-party data. Understanding the fundamentals of data is crucial before any meaningful AI implementation can occur.

Another misconception is that employees can be prevented from using ChatGPT. With multiple devices and remote working arrangements, it’s nearly impossible to stop them. ChatGPT is too valuable to ignore. Businesses should develop strategies that acknowledge and incorporate the inevitable use of these tools, ensuring that data shared into these models is managed securely and responsibly.

There’s a compelling argument for CEOs that employees will be more productive using generative AI through large language models. Hence, it’s vital to ensure that even basic LLMs are available to employees, where the data can be managed and protected in-house. This approach helps level up the workforce’s capabilities, even if it doesn’t necessarily compete with major players like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon.

Using generative AI is a moving feast, evolving almost daily. It requires significant skill to get anything other than mediocre, biassed, basic content from these applications. While a lot of textual content produced is basic at best, those skilled in using these tools will thrive, widening the gap between them and those who can't or won’t harness AI’s full potential.

Finally, while it is clear that predicting job impacts over a span of ten years is speculative, assuming that AI will simply create jobs is misguided.

AI is more likely to create the potential for opportunities, opportunities that will be transformed into more companies and therefore jobs with careful intervention from governments. Such intervention is necessary to ensure that more people can benefit from, leverage, and harness the power of AI to develop their ideas. Without this purposeful and strategic intervention, the spoils will only go to the existing tech companies and a few well-timed entrepreneurs. This is not enough to counter the potential job displacement over the next ten years. To me, this is urgent.

Q2) Do you think gen-AI is overhyped? And is it a bubble, as some are now proclaiming?

Richard: There’s a strong connection between this question and my previous response. Understanding the hype around artificial intelligence requires an appreciation of its practical applications and the proficiency of its users. While it’s normal for new technologies to be hyped, generative AI is different from trends like the metaverse. These AI platforms and tools are immediately usable and deliver tangible benefits.

Despite widespread scepticism from journalists and media who claim there are no real use cases for AI, I see plenty within our organisation. We’ve embraced these technologies through a willingness and robust change management process. Without such a framework, AI adoption can struggle. For instance, an article about Target supposedly implementing a large language model for their in-store employees mentioned that it wasn’t utilised. Whether this is factual or not, it highlights a significant point: expecting hourly-paid retail employees to effectively use generative AI in their daily tasks is unrealistic, leading to misconceptions that AI lacks practical applications. Reflecting on my experience at Oracle, I observed many large enterprises struggling to leverage advanced technologies despite their robust capabilities and user-friendly designs. Adopting new tools successfully is inherently challenging, and AI is no different. This makes it difficult to sift through the hype.

From a sustainability standpoint, providing a free AI service that consumes vast amounts of energy is problematic. Recently, I encountered teachers who were concerned about the £20 monthly cost of an AI service. While I understand that educators are not the highest-paid professionals, the time savings AI offers make this cost worthwhile. Personally, I would pay ten or even a hundred times more for the value AI brings to my business.

Although the long-term economic and environmental sustainability of AI services remains uncertain, the media’s current focus on hype and perceived lack of use cases misses the point. The true challenge lies in people’s ability to effectively harness AI like ChatGPT, a tool valued at $13 billion, and adapt their processes to integrate it. I firmly believe that those who don't adapt will be replaced by those who do.

Q3) How do you see the world of education pivoting because of AI? Will formal classrooms disappear after some years and turn into a one-on-one kind of learning experience, i.e. AI and 1 student?

Richard: When discussing this topic with educational leaders, principals, and CEOs of educational institutions, the common reaction is a bemused smile. They've heard predictions about the death of the classroom for decades, whether it was the advent of online learning, e-books, MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), or virtual reality being touted as the revolutionary change. The reality is that traditional classrooms are not going to disappear anytime soon.

Some leaders I speak to believe that, paradoxically, classrooms might become less technologically visible, as technology runs in the background, enhancing the learning environment without dominating it. The focus is on creating more time for direct interaction between teachers and students, as AI can never replicate the passion and experience a teacher brings to the classroom.

In further education institutions across the UK, the impact of a dedicated teacher is cited as the primary reason students continue their studies. This underscores that AI-generated personalised education is not on the immediate horizon. However, there are concerns about the amount of data teachers are feeding into free or low-cost AI models like ChatGPT. This data is effectively training these models on teaching methods, which raises questions about future implications in a sector that is often underfunded and inefficient.

While the notion of AI fundamentally transforming education seems distant, we must remain vigilant. History shows that disruptive forces like Amazon, Uber, or Airbnb can emerge and radically alter various sectors, including education. Teachers need to be aware that if they train AI on their teaching methods, it might eventually replicate their work to a high standard.

Despite these potential threats, the immediate opportunity lies in alleviating the workload of overburdened educators. AI can significantly reduce the time spent on creating lesson plans, curriculums, quizzes, and presentations. The multimodal capabilities of AI, such as generating music or visual content, can aid in creating engaging, varied learning materials that cater to different learning styles.

Furthermore, custom GPTs can be developed for individual homework assignments, allowing students to interact with the AI to understand tasks better, access additional learning resources, and receive feedback at multiple stages of their assignments. This iterative feedback process is far more effective than waiting for teacher assistance after each step.

In practical applications, we've seen AI being used to create simulations where students can interact with AI impersonating industry professionals, helping them understand career paths and techniques in a conversational manner.

Additionally, AI has proven especially beneficial for students whose first language is not English, aiding their communication with teachers and administrators. This use case helps English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students better engage with their educational environment, overcoming language barriers.

However, access to AI tools does not automatically translate to proficiency. Socioeconomic factors, such as the support system surrounding students, play a crucial role in their ability to utilise these tools effectively. In one college, when I suggested that students might use ChatGPT to pre-mark their homework to improve their grades, educators pointed out that many students struggle with basic literacy, highlighting the gap in AI tool proficiency.

While AI offers vast potential to enhance education, the transition will be gradual. Traditional classrooms will remain, enriched by AI technologies running in the background, supporting rather than replacing teachers. For the UK to stay competitive, it is essential to upskill our population to harness these tools effectively. Without this, we risk falling behind in the global educational landscape.

Want to feature in this “Minds And Machines” segment? Contact me.

Oxford Researchers Call for Tighter Regulation on Large Language Models Due to 'Careless Speech' Risks

Large Language Models (LLMs) pose a significant risk to society and require tighter regulation, say experts at the Oxford Internet Institute, part of the University of Oxford. In their paper "Do large language models have a legal duty to tell the truth?", published by the Royal Society Open Science, the researchers identify a new type of harm created by LLMs that threatens democratic societies.

The paper explains how LLMs produce responses that are plausible, helpful, and confident, yet often contain factual inaccuracies, misleading references, and biased information—a phenomenon the researchers term "careless speech." They argue that this poses long-term risks to science, education, and society.

Professor Sandra Wachter, lead author and Professor of Technology and Regulation at the Oxford Internet Institute, states, "LLMs pose a unique risk to science, education, democracy, and society that current legal frameworks did not anticipate. This 'careless speech' erodes truth, knowledge, and shared history, leading to serious consequences for evidence-based policy-making in critical areas such as health care, finance, climate change, media, the legal profession, and education."

The researchers propose creating a new legal duty for LLM providers to ensure their AI models "tell the truth." This issue is further complicated by human feedback that often favors outputs aligning with personal biases and annotations that train models to generate assertive-sounding outputs, among other factors unrelated to promoting truthful information.

Source: oii.ox.ac.uk

UAE Introduces AI Charter to Enhance Global Standing and Protect Consumers

Eager to improve its global artificial intelligence standing, the United Arab Emirates has announced a new charter to protect consumer interests within its borders.

The Charter for the Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence outlines guiding principles for AI developers with commercial offerings, imposing new liabilities and requirements. This initiative, led by the UAE’s AI, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications Office, aligns with the country’s overarching AI Strategy released in 2023.

Source: coingeek.com

IFS's Global AI Optimism League Table: Norway, Sweden, and France Lead, UK and USA Least Optimistic

IFS, the enterprise cloud and industrial AI software provider, has released the Global AI Optimism League Table, based on its extensive study "Industrial AI: the New Frontier for Productivity, Innovation, and Competition."

The rankings show Norway, Sweden, and France as the top three countries in terms of AI optimism. Australia, Japan, and the UAE follow closely, with the UAE ranking 6th, reflecting a strong position ahead of expectations. Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, the UK, and the USA complete the list, with the UK and USA being the least optimistic.

The study surveyed 1,700 senior decision-makers across various industries, including manufacturing, telecommunications, aerospace and defense, services, construction and engineering, and energy and resources. It reveals that optimism about AI is closely linked to the maturity of AI strategies within businesses.

Source: edgemiddleeast.com

MIT Researchers Develop “Take Home” Robot

MIT researchers have developed RialTo, a system that uses digital twins and simulation to train robots for specific environments, significantly improving their performance under disturbances and distractions.

RialTo outperforms traditional methods in training robot policies for tasks like opening a toaster or placing objects on shelves, especially in scenarios with visual distractions or physical disruptions.

The system's potential to expedite robot learning and deployment, while addressing safety constraints and improving data efficiency, highlights its significant impact on real-world robot adaptation and scalability.

Source: news.mit.edu

Figure AI Unveils New Humanoid Robot Aimed at Competing with Tesla

Robotics startup Figure AI has unveiled the Figure 02, featuring significant upgrades in AI, computer vision, and battery life, positioning it as a leader in the humanoid robot industry.

Competition in the humanoid robot market intensifies with companies like 1X and Tesla introducing their own advanced models, each with unique focuses on domestic assistance, industrial tasks, and human-like task performance.

Source: decrypt.co

Infinix and UNESCO Launch AI Robot Project in Kenya to Foster Creativity and Learning

Chinese smartphone company Infinix has partnered with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to launch an artificial intelligence robot project in Kenya.

Michael Zeng, brand manager of Infinix Kenya, announced that the CogLabs project will be based at the University of Nairobi, Kenya’s oldest higher education institution. This initiative will serve as an AI robot and machine learning educational platform, using mobile phones as the central component to inspire creativity and provide accessible AI experiences for the next generation.

Source: capitalfm.co.ke

Nvidia to Host Flagship AI Conference in Mumbai, India This October

Nvidia has announced its flagship AI Conference is set to take place from October 23 to 25 at the Jio Convention Centre in Mumbai, India. This event, one of only three held globally alongside those in Washington, D.C., and Japan, will feature CEO Jensen Huang and other industry leaders.

The Link

The Global AI Summit in Sept

GAIN is the leading platform for advancing the global discussion on AI, where visionary experts, academics, corporates, and policymakers converge from every part of the world to shape the future of artificial intelligence and its role in society.

This year, the event will be held in King Abdulaziz International Conference Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from Sept 10-11.