Consensus Building: It's Almost Certain that White Collar Jobs Will be AI's First Casualty
Commencing with this edition, the interview-based segment,"60 Seconds With AI Founders".
In recent weeks, a consensus has formed among experts, AI leaders, HR community, and CEOs regarding the forthcoming surge of "new automation," led by artificial intelligence (AI). This wave, they predict in almost one voice, has the potential to eliminate employment for a significant range of white-collar professionals, spanning from retail staff, lawyers, and accountants to finance specialists and numerous other back-office workers.
But before readers who make up this segment panic, the experts are also near-unanimous that AI will create an altogether different category of jobs.
But before I get into the thick of things, here’s the AI Job Indicator.
In Today’s Newsletter:
Rise in Well-Paid AI Positions Across Tech Titans and Other Sectors Highlights Widening Acceptance
Gallup Study Reveals Majority of Fortune 500 HR Executives Anticipate AI Replacing Specific Jobs
Gen AI's Impact on Indian Jobs Still Unclear, Says NASSCOM Exec
ILO: Generative AI Expected to Avoid Widespread Job Losses, Countering Earlier Projections
Retailers Adopt AI, Machine Learning, and Computer Vision to Enhance Workforce Influence
IBM CEO Predicts Initial Impact of AI Will be on White-collar Jobs
Chinese Enterprise STAR.VISION Launches Revolutionary Satellite with Onboard AI Capability
US Judge Rules AI-Generated Creations Ineligible for Copyright Protection
Why are Regulators Targeting AI Despite its Limited Capacity to Decode Human Emotions?
Majority Not Using ChatGPT Correctly
plus Events, TopPick, and much more.
Surge in High-Paying AI Jobs Across Tech Giants, Other Industries Reflects Mainstream Adoption
If you are one of those who are still contemplating a career in artificial intelligence, here’s something that may push you faster in that direction.
Apparently, it's not just Netflix that's offering substantial salaries to AI experts, as I had reported in last week’s newsletter. Other tech giants like Amazon, Upwork, and Google are also known to provide generous six-figure incomes, according to recent reports.
Reports suggest that the allure of high pay extends beyond the tech sector – financial institutions like Goldman Sachs and retail giants like Walmart are also ready to invest significant resources in individuals skilled in machine learning frameworks and large language model (LLM) training.
While substantial pay for AI skills is not really a new trend, the landscape has evolved over the years.
What sets the current scenario apart though is that AI and machine learning (ML) have transitioned into mainstream territory. This transformation is expected to lead to a surge in lucrative job opportunities that demand AI skills. Aspiring machine learning and AI engineers will need to master a fundamental array of programming languages, frameworks, and abstract concepts. Moreover, they will need to continuously update their knowledge base as the industry progresses. However, for those who can navigate this complex landscape, extraordinary levels of compensation await.
Source: dice.com
Gallup Study Shows Majority of Fortune 500 HR Chiefs Believe AI Will Replace Certain Jobs
A recent Gallup survey has shown that 72% of chief HR officers at Fortune 500 firms are of the view that AI will replace jobs in their companies within the next three years.
A significant 72% of CHROs have predicted that AI will replace job roles within their organizations in the next three years. The latest survey by Gallup, involving insights from 135 leaders within the Gallup CHRO Roundtable, also reveals that HR leaders harbor optimism regarding the potential of AI. A notable 65% of respondents believe AI can contribute to enhancing the performance of a majority of positions within their organizational structure.
Some of the “motivating” factors for this, include enhanced efficiency, heightened effectiveness and improved decision-making processes.
Incidentally, recent Gallup surveys concerning US employees had, however, presented a contrasting picture, indicating that the workforce was inadequately prepared for the forthcoming AI transition.
Source: Gallup
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Gen AI's Impact on Indian Jobs Still Unclear, Says NASSCOM Exec
Sangeeta Gupta, senior vice president and chief strategy officer of Indian non-profit NASSCOM has said that the impact of Gen AI on Indian jobs is still unclear. She believes that Gen AI is more likely to augment jobs than replace them. This means that Gen AI could be used to automate tasks, freeing up humans to focus on more creative and strategic work.
However, Gupta also acknowledged that there was a risk that Gen AI could lead to job losses in some sectors. She said that it was essential for businesses and workers to be prepared for the changes that Gen AI would bring. This included upskilling and reskilling workers so that they can take advantage of the opportunities that Gen AI creates.
Overall, though the impact of Gen AI on Indian jobs is still uncertain, it’s important to be prepared for the changes it could bring.
Source: newsdrum.in
Generative AI Unlikely to Drive Mass Job Losses, Contrary to Previous Predictions: ILO
The International Labour Organisation (ILO), a UN agency, has released a report that challenges the idea that generative AI will lead to widespread job loss. The report indicates that while generative AI is unlikely to completely replace the majority of jobs, it will instead automate specific tasks within those roles.
This automation is expected to grant individuals the opportunity to allocate more time to other responsibilities.
According to this recent ILO study, technologies like ChatGPT are more likely to improve existing roles by automating specific tasks rather than causing entire professions to disappear. This perspective goes against the common belief that emerged after ChatGPT's introduction in November of last year, which predicted significant disruptions in the job market due to generative AI.
Companies like IBM and BT have announced plans to reduce their workforce substantially over the next ten years, citing benefits from AI. Additionally, a March report from Goldman Sachs suggests that AI could potentially eliminate or undermine up to 300 million jobs.
The study, “Generative AI and Jobs: A global analysis of potential effects on job quantity and quality”, suggests that most jobs and industries are only partly exposed to automation and are more likely to be complemented rather than substituted by the latest wave of Generative AI, such as ChatGPT. Therefore, the greatest impact of this technology is likely to not be job destruction but rather the potential changes to the quality of jobs, notably work intensity and autonomy.
Clerical work was found to be the category with the greatest technological exposure, with nearly a quarter of tasks considered highly exposed and more than half of tasks having medium-level exposure. In other occupational groups – including managers, professionals and technicians – only a small share of tasks was found to be highly exposed, while about a quarter had medium exposure levels.
The report argues that the introduction of generative AI products and services will actually enhance many job roles. The report indicates that most jobs and industries will only experience partial automation. The report emphasizes that the main impact of this technology might not be job loss, but rather changes in job quality, particularly in terms of workload and independence.
Different sectors and professions will face varying levels of impact. The study points out that clerical work is the most vulnerable to AI-driven changes. Around three-quarters of tasks within these roles could potentially be automated to some extent. In contrast, managers, professionals, and technicians might see only a quarter of their tasks being exposed to automation.
Source: techmonitor. ai, ilo.org
Retailers Embrace AI, Machine Learning, and Computer Vision to Amplify Workforce Impact
In a shift of perspective, retailers are increasingly regarding AI, ML, and Computer Vision (CV) as instruments to amplify and optimize their workforce capabilities, rather than as replacements for their employees.
A recent survey, presented by Honeywell says that nearly 60% of retailers are gearing up to embrace AI, ML, and CV technologies within the next year. Their primary objective is to elevate the shopping experience both in physical stores and online.
The findings of this study also underscore that retailers view these technological advancements as supplementary and enriching to their workforce dynamics, rather than having a detrimental effect on job opportunities.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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IBM CEO Predicts Initial Impact of AI Will be on White-collar Jobs
Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO of IBM, said in an exclusive interview with CNBC, aired this week, that white-collar and back office jobs will be the first to be affected by AI.
During his appearance on CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia," Krishna emphasized the transformative potential of generative AI and large language models, envisioning their capability to enhance the efficiency of every operational facet within enterprises.
Krishna stated, "This implies accomplishing the same tasks with a reduced workforce, aligning with the fundamental principles of productivity. In my view, the initial roles that will experience the effects will be those involved in what I refer to as back-office, white-collar tasks."
He added that AI could help address future productivity shortages caused by a shrinking working-age population. Krishna predicts that back-office, white-collar jobs will be the first to be impacted by AI.
Source: cnbc.com
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Coming up: The Radical Robot Patent Drafting Workshop
The upcoming Radical RPD Workshop: EP-Style Edition is our third event in the series that will provide you with live demonstration of how to use various Patent Drafting Robots. It will be held on September 2nd, 2023, which is a Saturday.
This event will be conducted online and attendees can join it from anywhere.
The ultimate goal of this workshop is to guide you to draft patent application using one of the patent drafting robots that is available there for you. We will guide you through the drafting process, showing you how to use a patent drafting robot starting from an invention disclosure. You can experience drafting a patent application using a robot.
Chinese Enterprise STAR.VISION Launches Revolutionary Satellite with Onboard AI Capability
In a groundbreaking achievement, STAR.VISION, a prominent Chinese company, has successfully deployed an extraordinary satellite into space.
Named “WonderJourney-1A” (WJ-1A), this satellite, launched from Jiuquan in Inner Mongolia, boasts a distinctive trait - the innovative String Edge AI Platform. This platform functions as an intrinsic analytical tool for real-time observations, negating the necessity for continuous communication with the ground station. The overarching vision? STAR.VISION envisions the development of a fully autonomous spacecraft.
Currently in its testing phase, the satellite showcases a multitude of intelligent functionalities. These encompass synchronization with upcoming smart vehicles and drones, as well as tasks like forest fire detection, soil moisture assessment, and monitoring pest-related diseases. Armed with an array of advanced features, including high-definition cameras, near-infrared sensors, and immersive VR panoramic capabilities, the satellite not only perceives its surroundings but also comprehends them. It adeptly processes images, identifies targets, and optimizes data.
Impressively, STAR.VISION hints at the satellite's remarkable ability to scan a vast expanse - covering approximately 10,000 square kilometers - within a matter of hours. In contrast, previous-generation satellites would require months to accomplish the same task. This advancement marks a significant leap forward in the fusion of AI and space exploration.
Source: scmp.com
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Today, we are kicking off the first of the interviews* in our brand new segment, “60 Seconds With AI Founders”.
Ankur Pandey is co-founder of “LongShot AI” (Gen AI for fact-checked content), an AI-powered content writing assistant that helps research, generate, and optimize high-quality long-form content. In addition to building LongShot, he’s also involved in developing Fulcrum AI (AI assistant for PM teams). Ankur previously built “UnFound”, and prior to that, built data teams as first Data Scientist at three other companies. He is a BTech in Electrical Engg, dual MS in Math, Ph.D. dropout in CS | Auxiliary background in Humanities, Public Policy.
Q1. What are the challenges of being an AI entrepreneur?
Ankur: Some of the big challenges that I have faced are:
Accessing and managing resources: AI apps require a lot of computing power, data, and talent to develop and deploy. These resources are often expensive, scarce, and competitive to acquire and maintain. As an AI entrepreneur, I have to find ways to optimize my resource utilization, secure funding, and attract and retain skilled AI professionals12.
Ensuring ethical and responsible AI: AI applications can have significant impacts on society, the economy, and the environment. As an AI entrepreneur, I have to ensure that my AI solutions are aligned with ethical principles, such as fairness, transparency, accountability, and privacy. I also have to comply with the relevant laws and regulations, as well as address the potential risks and challenges of AI, such as bias, security, and social implications
Q2. Name 2 of the biggest opportunities you see in the AI industry
Ankur: Includes AI transforming the way we consume content. It'll be hyper-personalized - imagine every movie changes is climax just for you? Possible in not so far future.
Another one is bot-to-bot commerce. Imagine your digital avatar doing online shopping, replying to email, even swiping Tinder - while you do more imp stuff.
Q3. Do you think AI is a job gobbler or just a smart assistant, as of now? What about the same in the future?
Ankur: I think AI is neither a job gobbler nor just a smart assistant, as of now. I think AI is a job transformer that can change the nature and scope of work in various ways.
I think the same will be true in the future as well. AI will continue transforming the work landscape by creating new demands and possibilities for workers and employers.
However, I also think that there will be some limits and boundaries for AI in terms of its capabilities, applications, and impacts.
I think that human intelligence, creativity, and empathy will still be essential and valuable in the future work environment. Therefore, I think that AI will not replace humans but rather complement them in various ways.
(*Interviews in this segment are edited for clarity and brevity.)
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Calling Researchers
The International Journal of Ethics And Systems, a peer-reviewed academic journal for practitioners and scientists interested in the ethical and moral aspects of economic, social and political systems, has invited contributors to submit papers that explore the opportunities and risks of AI in various fields of business, such as medicine, energy, farming, media, education, and transport. The appeal also calls for papers that examine the ethical dimensions and regulatory challenges associated with these applications.
Specifically, it suggests exploring the potential negative and positive effects of AI on business and economic markets in democratic institutions, identifying parameters for regulation, and examining the European Union's AI act in relation to business and economics.
The last date for submissions is Dec 31, 2023.
Source: emeraldgrouppublishing.com
AI-generated Works Cannot Be Protected By Copyright: US Judge
In a landmark decision, US Federal Judge Beryl A. Howell announced that AI can't lay claim to its artistic masterpieces. This decision emerged from a lawsuit where Stephen Thaler took the US Copyright Office to task for turning down his copyright request for an artwork. The catch? It was the brainchild of an AI algorithm he designed, aptly named the “Creativity Machine”.
Thaler's angle was to register the artwork as a work-for-hire, effectively pegging the Creativity Machine as the genius behind the piece and himself as the proud owner. But the Copyright Office wasn't buying it. When they gave Thaler the thumbs down one too many times, he decided to go legal, claiming the Office was playing too fast and loose with the rules. However, Judge Howell stood firm on the classic stance: if you don't have a human touch, you don't get the copyright.
Source: The Economic Times
Why are Regulators Targeting AI Despite its Limited Capacity to Decode Human Emotions?
Author Tate Ryan-Mosley raises the above question in The Technocrat, MIT Technology Review's weekly tech policy newsletter about power, politics, and Silicon Valley.
Ryan has pointed out that amidst the discussions surrounding ChatGPT, AI general intelligence recently, and the potential impact of robots on employment, there has been an observed “heightened attention” from regulators regarding the cautionary stance taken against the utilization of AI and emotion recognition.
For those who are unaware, emotion recognition, within a framework that significantly deviates from Darwin's theories, entails the utilization of AI analysis applied to videos, facial images, or audio recordings for the purpose of ascertaining an individual's emotional state or psychological disposition.
The underlying concept itself is not excessively intricate: for instance, an AI model could analyze elements such as an open mouth, narrowed eyes, tense cheeks, and a thrown-back head, and interpret these cues as indicative of laughter, thereby inferring that the person is experiencing happiness.
However, in practical application, this process becomes exceptionally complex and, as per certain perspectives, embodies a hazardous and intrusive manifestation of the type of pseudo-science that AI frequently generates.
In the newsletter, Tate writes that regulators are increasingly expressing concerns about the use of AI in emotion recognition, with some advocating for a complete ban on the technology. The European Union, for example, has passed the EU AI Act, which restricts the use of emotion recognition in policing, border management, workplaces, and schools.
Groups like European Digital Rights and Access Now, who champion privacy and human rights, are pushing for a complete prohibition on emotion recognition technology. Although the EU AI Act, which received the European Parliament's endorsement in June, doesn't constitute an outright ban, it does restrict the application of emotion recognition in areas such as law enforcement, border control, employment settings, and educational institutions.
On the other hand, several companies are already selling emotion-detection AI for various applications.
The debate surrounding emotion recognition, says the author, raises questions about the potential negative impacts of the technology and whether strict regulation could hinder positive innovation.
Critics argue that emotion-detection AI is based on flawed science and that it poses risks to privacy and individual rights. However, proponents argue that the technology has valuable applications, such as improving driver safety or enhancing border security. The ongoing discussion highlights the need for careful consideration of the ethical and societal implications of AI in emotion recognition.
Source: MIT Technology Review
Do We Really Need This Now?
Scientist and co-author of “Rebooting AI” Gary Marcus has raised concern over the posting of a paper on arXiv by a team of philosophers and AI researchers that not only considers the criteria for building conscious machines, but also provides “some tentative sketches” for how to build one.
“Honestly, is that a good idea?”, questions Gary in his post. “We can’t even control LLMs. Do we really want to open another, perhaps even riskier box?”
What do readers have to say on Gary’s views on Sentient AI? Drop a comment below.
Source: Marcus On AI
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Majority Not Using ChatGPT Correctly
Apparently, most of us, about 98% of the users, are not using ChatGPT correctly. Digital entrepreneur Hasan Aboul Hasan says so in this article and provides seven tips to use the software correctly.
Source: Medium.com