How AI is changing the workplace already ranges from the smallest task such as integrating a weekly meeting into a calendar with one click of the mouse, to more large-scale use such as security systems that filter spam and block hackers.
The use of AI largely revolves around saving employees time - particularly around data processing and mundane or routine tasks - so they can dedicate their work day to other, more highly-valued activities and decision-making.
AI also is improving the way workers operate and minimising errors, whether it be automatically correcting spelling and grammar mistakes in reports or emails to calculating complex formulas in spreadsheets.
AI is also stepping in when employees are not available. Chatbots have become commonplace on any website, for example, acting as customer service representatives at all hours of the day and night by answering basic or common questions.
Now, AI is moving beyond being able to complete simple process-based tasks to conduct more creative tasks. Programs such as ChatGPT can create text in any form of any length – be it an email or a report – based on a few small inputs. Image creators such as Craiyon turns text input into an image, such as a logo or a photograph. Audio creators can replicate a person’s voice, such as turning text into speech.
“Many tasks previously thought to be human-centric are increasingly being completed by technology. Creative tasks such as brainstorming new ideas or problem-solving can be undertaken by AI, which analyses data from a plethora of sources to provide suggestions and innovations that employees had not previously considered. However, employees still are needed to decide which innovations that are suggested by AI are applicable or may be successful in their individual circumstances, and to implement them within their organisation. AI is completing tasks, but is not taking the place of people completely,” says Jones.
