The work landscape is changing rapidly, not just in terms of where and when people work, but also in the context of work itself. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ChatGPT are fueling these changes, leading to uncertainty among employees about whether they will be replaced by technology.
As a result, it has caused anxiety among many workers that AI might someday take their job. Can humans get past this fear and find a silver lining as the world embraces AI?
AI Anxiety Defined
PC Magazine defines AI anxiety as the fear that computers will replace workers and eliminate jobs in the future as the technology becomes more sophisticated to the point it can replicate human decision-making. It is another type of technology anxiety, a concept that can be traced back to the late 1700s when some jobs in the textile industry were replaced by mechanical looms.
Additionally, AI anxiety is also the fear that computers could someday make future decisions that may harm humanity. Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Stephen Hawking, and other people have expressed their concern about the irreparable effect of AI as computers are slowly being used now to make decisions.
AI Anxiety: Fearing the Unknown
The BBC's recent report states how more and more people are feeling anxious about their work due to fearing AI will take over their job. The rapid growth in generative AI tools, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and the overall progression of the "AI arms race," is creating a sense of uncertainty for employees.
The pace of technological innovation can be daunting, and there are many unknown factors surrounding AI's application that create a sense of anxiety.
The concern and fear regarding the consequences of AI on employment are not entirely unfounded. Recently, Rest of World published an article that revealed how Chinese videogame artists are already losing their jobs due to automated digital art; and several publishers have started testing AI-generated content, sometimes without making it public as our investigations have revealed.
That being said, employees do not necessarily have to feel a sense of existential dread. People have the power to make their own decisions about how much they worry, either adopting anxiety about AI or feeling empowered to learn about it and use it to their advantage.
Scott Likens, a specialist in understanding issues regarding trust and technology, told BBC that the advancement in technology has shown that there is potential to automate or streamline work processes.
However, with the right set of skills, people can progress alongside these technological advancements. To feel less anxious about the rapid adoption of AI, employees must educate themselves and develop new skills to learn what AI can do for their roles.
It is essential to remember that industry disruptions are not new; from automation to e-commerce to retail, people have found ways to adapt. Technological change has always been a crucial ingredient in societal advancement. Regardless of how people react to AI technology, whether with anxiety or positivity, it is here to stay.
Therefore, adopting a positive outlook and looking forward will be more helpful to employees than allowing anxiety to consume them. If individuals feel anxious instead of acting to improve their skills, that will hurt them more than AI itself.
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