Artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining more attention as its role in the future of work becomes increasingly apparent.

Last week, the Writers Guild of America (WGA), went on a strike because of the proposed use of AI, specifically ChatGPT, in television and film writing. The guild argued that the use of AI would replace jobs, increase compensation disparities and lead to greater job insecurity for writers, reported Time. While this was happening, Geoffrey Hinton, the 75-year-old scientist widely seen as the godfather of AI, announced his resignation from Google, warning of the growing dangers in the field.

The BBC reported that Hinton, whose research on neural networks and deep learning has paved the way for AI systems like ChatGPTwhich according to the Wall Street Journal is causing a stock-market ruckusexpressed regret over his work and raised concerns about bad actors potential misuse of AI. Hintons departure comes at a time when AI advancements are accelerating at an unprecedented pace. For example, KPMG announced last week that they would make generative AI available to all employees, including partners, for both client-facing and internal work.

Meanwhile, during an interview with the Wall Street Journal, DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis expressed his belief that a form of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) could be developed within a few years. Elsewhere, implications for medical leaders are becoming apparent. According to Erwin Loh, who explained in BMJ Leader, new technologies like ChatGPT and generative AIhave the potential to transform the way we practice medicine, and revolutionize the healthcare system. Lohs article provided a great explanation of AI technologies in the context of healthcare and also offered insights into how they could be used to improve delivery.

So, its clear there is enormous potential to revolutionize the world of work. The question now is: how do we make sure that AI works for us rather than against us? After all, the opportunities are vast and growing. For example, research published by MIT Sloan Management Review concluded that Data can help companies better understand and improve the employee experience, leading to a more productive workforce. But, it must be remembered that job displacement is a genuine concern. Insider reported that CEOs get closer to finally saying itAI will wipe out more jobs than they can count.

One study conducted by researchers from OpenAI, OpenResearch, and the University of Pennsylvania, revealed that around 80% of the US workforce could see at least 10% of their tasks affected by the introduction of GPTs (Generative Pre-trained Transformers), with around 19% of workers experiencing at least 50% of their tasks impacted. Having reviewed the study, Natalia Weisz, a professor at Argentinas IAE Business School, concluded in an interview that, unlike previous technological revolutions, higher-paying occupations with more education requirements, such as degrees and even doctorates, are more exposed compared to those that do not require a profession. We are moving into a phase in which traditional professions may very well be disrupted, said Weisz.

We are living in a time of rapid technological change. We must be mindful to ensure that these advances do not lead to job losses or create an unequal playing field, said Shrenik Rao, editor-in-chief of Madras Courier, in an interview. Rao predicted that Bots could replace journalists and columnists. Illustrators, cartoonists and artists could lose their jobs, too. Instead of telling stories in the public interest, stories will be produced based on what will garner views or clicks.

Rao, who is also a columnist at Haaretz, went on to probe the ethical implications of AI-driven news production. What will happen with journalistic ethics? Will the news be produced to serve certain political agendas? Will there be an objective filter for news and images? He concluded that a lack of transparency over how AI is used in journalism could lead to further mistrust in the media.

Governments, industries, and individuals need to engage in a collaborative effort to navigate this brave new world. By fostering open conversations, creating robust regulatory frameworks, and prioritizing education and adaptation, we can ensure that artificial intelligence serves as a force for good, empowering humanity to overcome challenges and reach new heights. Leadership is, therefore, required to ensure that AI is used responsibly and ethically: it is time for all to come together and propel AI forward in a way that works for everyone.

Disclaimer: The author of this article is an Associate Editor at BMJ Leader. This role is independent and distinct from his role as the author of this article. It should be noted that despite his position at BMJ Leader, he had no participation in the review, production, or publication of the academic paper referenced in this articlespecifically, the work by Erwin Loh on the potential of AI technologies in healthcare.

I'm a leadership professor writing expert commentary on global affairs

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AI At The Crossroads: Navigating Job Displacement, Ethical Concerns, And The Future Of Work - Forbes