AI and the Paradox of Self-Replacing Workers | Madison Mohns | TED

Summary

The speaker, a middle manager facing the AI revolution, discusses the paradox of training AI systems that could replace their own workforce. They propose three ethical principles: transformational transparency, collaborative AI augmentation, and reskilling to realize potential. Drawing parallels to the Industrial Revolution, they argue for a balance between human creativity and AI efficiency, emphasizing the importance of adapting and innovating to ensure that AI enhances rather than replaces human potential.

Takeaways

• 📄 The script discusses the urgent request from the board of directors to compile a document on AI-related work due to the buzz around ChatGPT and the future of AI.
• 🚀 The rapid development of AI technologies offers endless opportunities for innovation but also poses an existential threat to the workforce by potentially automating jobs.
• 🤖 AI systems require training and fine-tuning by subject matter experts, which ironically includes the same people whose jobs might be automated.
• 🔑 The speaker introduces three ethical principles to address the self-replacing workforce: transformational transparency, collaborative AI augmentation, and reskilling to realize potential.
• 🔢 Research indicates that a significant portion of the US workforce could be impacted by AI, with nearly 20% potentially seeing half of their tasks automated.
• 🏭 The script draws a parallel between the current AI revolution and the historical Industrial Revolution, noting that humans adapted and new roles emerged despite initial fears.
• 🛠 The tension faced by the speaker as a middle manager is highlighted, with the dilemma of innovating quickly and risking job displacement or refusing to innovate and risking the company's competitiveness.
• 🗣️ The importance of transformational transparency is emphasized, advocating for open dialogue and involving employees in the decision-making process regarding AI implementation.
• 🤝 AI should be viewed as an augmentation device, not a replacement, by identifying tasks that can be automated to free up time for higher-value activities.
• 🆕 The script shares a personal example of a project that saved significant working hours by automating tasks that subject matter experts were eager to delegate.
• 💼 The necessity of reskilling the workforce to equip them with skills for an AI-powered future is underscored, with the speaker's experience of improving technical literacy within their team.

Q & A

What was the urgent request from the manager's manager's manager in the script?

The manager's manager's manager requested a document by the end of the day that records everything the team has been working on related to AI.

Why were the board of directors interested in AI?

The board of directors were interested in AI because they had been hearing buzz about ChatGPT and wanted to know what the company was doing about it.

What is the paradox mentioned in the script regarding AI systems and subject matter experts?

The paradox is that to train AI systems to a high-quality standard, real-life subject matter experts are needed, who are often the same people whose jobs might be displaced by the AI systems they help train.

What are the three ethical principles the speaker relies on to handle the implications of a self-replacing workforce?

The three ethical principles are transformational transparency, collaborative AI augmentation, and reskilling to realize potential.

What percentage of the US workforce could be impacted by AI according to the research mentioned in the script?

Approximately 80 percent of the US workforce could see up to 10 percent of their tasks impacted by AI, while around 19 percent could see up to 50 percent of their tasks impacted.

How does the speaker compare the current AI revolution to the Industrial Revolution?

The speaker compares the AI revolution to the Industrial Revolution by highlighting the historical example of workers training systems that would eventually replace them, such as in Henry Ford's Model T automobile production line.

What is the role of AI as an augmentation device according to the speaker?

AI as an augmentation device is meant to take over the worst or most repetitive parts of a job, allowing employees to focus on higher-value activities that require critical thinking and creativity.

What is the importance of reskilling in the context of AI and workforce development?

Reskilling is crucial to avoid replacement by AI, as it equips employees with new skills and knowledge to thrive in an AI-powered future and to adapt to evolving roles and expertise.

How did the speaker's team save over 12,000 working hours with AI?

The team saved over 12,000 working hours by training an algorithm to automate tasks that were previously done manually by subject matter experts, allowing them to focus on more valuable work.

What is the speaker's view on the relationship between humans and machines?

The speaker views the relationship between humans and machines as a delicate balancing act, where humans train machines to replace certain tasks while simultaneously creating unique roles for themselves and discovering new possibilities.

What is the speaker's advice for managers and leaders navigating the AI revolution?

The speaker advises managers and leaders to embrace innovation, foster a culture of adaptation, and intentionally invest in the professional development and well-being of their workforce to prepare for the challenges ahead and address the complexities of introducing AI.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 The AI Paradox: Ethical Principles for a Self-Replacing Workforce

The speaker describes the sudden request from the company's board to document all AI-related work, reflecting on the rapid development of AI and its potential to displace jobs. The speaker acknowledges the paradox of training AI systems with the same experts whose jobs might be at risk. Three ethical principles are introduced to address this issue: transformational transparency, collaborative AI augmentation, and reskilling to realize potential. The speaker also discusses the impact of AI on the workforce, referencing research indicating significant task automation potential across various occupations. Drawing parallels with the Industrial Revolution, the speaker emphasizes the historical pattern of adaptation and innovation in the face of technological change.

05:01

🛠 Embracing AI: Enhancing Human Potential Through Ethical Leadership

The speaker outlines strategies for integrating AI into the workforce ethically, starting with the importance of transparency in AI transformation. Leaders are encouraged to involve employees in decision-making and ensure their consent, particularly when their tasks are being automated. The concept of AI as an augmentation tool is explored, with the speaker sharing an example of how AI saved significant working hours by automating data curation. The speaker also stresses the importance of reskilling to avoid displacement, sharing personal experiences of improving technical literacy and fostering a culture of continuous learning. The talk concludes with a call to action for managers and leaders to navigate AI development with sensitivity and foresight, preparing teams for future challenges and ensuring AI enhances rather than replaces human capabilities.

Keywords

💡AI

AI, or Artificial Intelligence, refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. In the video, AI is central to the theme as it represents both an opportunity for innovation and a potential threat to jobs, as companies are increasingly turning to AI for efficiency.

💡Buzz

In the context of the video, 'buzz' refers to the excited or anxious talk about something that is attracting attention, in this case, ChatGPT. It illustrates the growing awareness and concern among the board of directors about the impact of AI on their business.

💡Paradox

A paradox is a statement or situation that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth. The video discusses the paradox of using AI, where the very people who train AI systems are potentially at risk of being replaced by those systems, creating a moral and practical dilemma.

💡Quality

Quality, in the script, is used to describe the standard that AI systems must meet to be effective. It is defined by subject matter experts who train these systems, emphasizing the importance of high standards in AI development and the role of human expertise in achieving them.

💡Transformational Transparency

Transformational Transparency is one of the ethical principles mentioned in the video. It involves being open and clear about the changes AI brings to the workforce, including its purpose and challenges. It is crucial for managing expectations and involving employees in the AI implementation process.

💡Collaborative AI Augmentation

Collaborative AI Augmentation is the idea of using AI not as a replacement for human workers but as a tool to enhance their capabilities. The video suggests identifying tasks that can be automated, allowing employees to focus on higher-value activities that require critical thinking and creativity.

💡Reskilling

Reskilling refers to the process of acquiring new skills by workers to remain relevant in a changing job market. In the video, it is presented as a solution to the threat of AI displacement, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and professional development.

💡Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution is a historical period of rapid industrialization that began in Britain in the late 18th century. The video uses it as a comparison to the current AI revolution, highlighting the historical precedent of technological advancements leading to job displacement and the subsequent creation of new roles.

💡Innovation

Innovation in the video is presented as the process of translating an idea or invention into a good or service that creates value. It is a key aspect of the speaker's dilemma, where quick innovation might risk displacing the team, but not innovating could cause the company to fall behind.

💡Upskilling

Upskilling is the process of enhancing an existing skill set to higher levels of competence. The video suggests that providing opportunities for upskilling can empower employees to adapt to an AI-powered future and discover new possibilities in their roles.

💡Human Ingenuity

Human Ingenuity refers to the creative and original ideas and solutions that humans can generate. The video concludes with the notion that a future combining human ingenuity with technological progress can enhance human potential rather than replace it, emphasizing the unique value of human creativity.

Highlights

Manager's manager requests a document on AI-related work by the end of the day to inform the board of directors about the company's AI initiatives.

80% of the US workforce could see up to 10% of their tasks impacted by AI, while 19% could see up to 50% of their tasks impacted, according to OpenAI research.

AI technologies do not discriminate and can impact high-skilled occupations just as much as others.

The Industrial Revolution serves as a historical example of humans adapting to technological advancements and finding new roles.

Three ethical principles are proposed to manage the implications of a self-replacing workforce: transformational transparency, collaborative AI augmentation, and reskilling to realize potential.

AI transformation requires transparency and fostering dialogue with employees to address concerns and involve them in decision-making.

AI should be used as an augmentation device to delegate rote tasks and enhance employees' potential and productivity.

Subject matter experts were excited to delegate tasks to automation, allowing them to focus on higher-value activities.

Reskilling and professional development are crucial to avoid replacement and empower employees to adapt to an AI-powered future.

Investing in employees' well-being ensures they are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven environment.

A culture of continuous learning and reskilling makes AI transformation exciting and less intimidating.

Managers and leaders must navigate the AI revolution with sensitivity and foresight, embracing innovation while investing in workforce development.

The goal is to create a future where AI enhances human potential rather than replacing it, combining human ingenuity with technological progress.

The speaker shares a personal project that saved the company over 12,000 working hours by automating tasks previously done by subject matter experts.

The paradox of training AI systems that may displace the same team members who train them is a significant ethical and practical challenge.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of transformational transparency, ensuring employees have a voice in their professional destiny.

AI can be used to identify underperforming areas and make direct suggestions for improvement, as demonstrated by the operations analyst's contribution.

Transcripts

I'm going about my day, normal Tuesday of meetings

when I get a ping from my manager's manager's manager.

It says: “Get me a document by the end of the day

that records everything your team has been working on related to AI."

As it turns out, the board of directors of my large company

had been hearing buzz about this new thing called ChatGPT,

and they wanted to know what we were doing about it.

They are freaking out about the future,

I'm freaking out about this measly document,

it sounds like the perfect start

to solving the next hottest problem in tech, right?

As someone who works with machine-learning models

every single day,

I know firsthand that the rapid development of these technologies

poses endless opportunities for innovation.

However, the same exponential improvement in AI systems

is becoming a looming existential threat to the team I manage.

With increasing accessibility

and creepily human-like results coming out of the field of AI research,

companies like my own are turning toward automation to make things more efficient.

Now on the surface, this seems like a pretty great vision.

But as we start to dig deeper, we uncover an uncomfortable paradox.

Let's break this down.

In order to harness the power of AI systems,

these systems must be trained and fine-tuned

to match a high-quality standard.

But who defines quality,

and who trains these systems in the first place?

As you may have guessed, real-life subject matter experts,

oftentimes the same exact people who are currently doing the job.

Imagine my predicament here.

I get to go to my trusted team, whom I've worked with for years,

look them in the eyes

and pitch them on training the very systems that might displace them.

This paradox had led me to rely on three ethical principles

that can ensure that managers can grapple with the implications

of a self-replacing workforce.

One, transformational transparency,

Two, collaborative AI augmentation.

And three, reskilling to realize potential.

Now before we get into solutions, let’s zoom out a little bit.

How deep is this problem of self-replacing workers, really?

Research from this year coming out of OpenAI

indicates that approximately 80 percent of the US workforce

could see up to 10 percent of their tasks impacted

by the introduction of AI,

while around 19 percent of the workforce

could see up to 50 percent of their tasks impacted.

The craziest thing about all of this is,

is that these technologies do not discriminate.

Occupations that have historically required an immense amount of training

or education are equally as vulnerable to being outsourced to AI.

Now before we throw our hands up and let the robots take over,

let's put this all into perspective.

Fortunately for us,

this is not the first time in history that this has happened.

Let's go back to the Industrial revolution.

Picture Henry Ford’s iconic Model T automobile production line.

In this remarkable setup,

workers and machines engage in a synchronous dance.

They were tasked with specific repetitive tasks,

such as tightening bolts or fitting components

as the product moved down the line.

Ironically, and not dissimilar to my current predicament,

the humans themselves played a crucial role in training the systems

that would eventually replace their once multi-skilled roles.

They were the ones who honed their craft, perfected the techniques

and ultimately handed off the knowledge to the technicians

and engineers involved in automating their entire process.

Now on the outset, this situation seems pretty dire.

Yet despite initial fears and hesitations

involved in these technological advancements,

history has proven that humans have continuously found ways

to adapt and innovate.

While some roles were indeed replaced, new roles emerged,

requiring higher-level skills like creativity

and creative problem solving that machines just simply couldn't replicate.

Reflecting on this historical example

reminds us that the relationship between humans and machines

has always been a delicate balancing act.

We are the architects of our own progress,

often training machines to replace us

while simultaneously carving out unique roles for ourselves

and discovering new possibilities.

Now coming back to the present day, we are on the cusp of the AI revolution.

As someone responsible for moving that revolution forward,

the tension becomes omnipresent.

Option one, I can innovate quickly and risk displacing my team.

Or option two, I can refuse to innovate in an effort to protect my team,

but ultimately still lose people because the company falls behind.

So what am I supposed to do

as a mere middle manager in this situation?

Knowingly introducing this complex paradox for your team

presents strong challenges for people management.

Luckily, we can refer back to those three ethical principles

I addressed at the beginning of the talk

to ensure that you can continue to move ahead

without leaving your people behind.

First and foremost,

AI transformation needs to be transparent.

As leaders, it is imperative to foster dialogue,

address key concerns,

and offer concise explanations regarding the purpose

and potential challenges entailed in implementing AI.

This requires actively involving your employees

in the decision-making process

and valuing their autonomy.

By introducing the concept of consent,

especially for employees who are tasked

with automating their core responsibilities,

we can ensure that they maintain a strong voice

in carving out their professional destiny.

Next, now that we've gotten folks bought into this grandiose vision

while acknowledging the journey that lies ahead,

let's talk about how to use AI as an augmentation device.

Picture the worst part of your job today.

What if you could delegate it?

And no, not hand it off to some other sad soul at work,

but hand it to a system that can do your rote tasks for you.

Instead of perceiving AI as a complete replacement,

identify opportunities where you can use it

to enhance your employees' potential and productivity.

Collaboratively with your team,

identify areas and tasks that can be automated,

carving out more room for higher-value activities

requiring critical thinking that machines just aren't very good at doing.

Let's put this into an example.

Recently, I completed a project with my team at work

that's going to save our company over 12,000 working hours.

The folks involved in training this algorithm

are the same subject matter experts that worked tirelessly last year

to hand-curate and research data to optimize segmented experiences

across our website.

Now because of the sheer amount of time spent and the level of detail involved,

I would have expected

that there was an immense amount of pride behind this workflow.

But to my surprise, as it turns out,

the subject matter experts who built this model

were actually excited to hand these tasks off to automation.

There were things that they would have much rather spent their time on,

like in optimizing existing data to perform better on product surfaces

or even researching and developing new insights to augment

where the model just simply doesn't do as well.

Lastly, we must reskill in order to avoid replacement.

Knowingly investing in the professional development

and well-being of our workforce

ensures that they are equipped with the skills and knowledge

needed to thrive in an AI-powered future.

By providing opportunities for upskilling and reskilling,

we can empower our employees to rethink their roles as they exist today

and carve out new possibilities that align with their evolving expertise

and interests.

So how does this work in practice?

When I started introducing AI as a way to accelerate my team's workflows,

I used it as an opportunity to improve my team's technical literacy.

I worked with my team of engineers on a tool

that could transparently identify

the impact of data on a model's outcomes.

I then went to my operations analyst,

who didn't have technical training at the time,

and they were able to quickly identify areas where the model was underperforming

and hand off direct suggestions to my data science team

to make those models do better next time.

Fostering a culture of continuous learning

and reskilling is paramount.

It makes AI transformation a lot more exciting and a lot less scary.

We have reached a critical juncture

where the rapid development of AI technology

poses both opportunities and challenges.

As managers and leaders,

it is imperative that we navigate this terrain

with both sensitivity and foresight.

By embracing innovation,

fostering a culture of adaptation,

and ultimately intentionally investing in the professional development

and well-being of our workforce,

we can ensure that we are preparing our team

for the challenges that lie ahead

while addressing the complexities of introducing AI.

Together, let's forge a future that harmoniously combines human ingenuity

and technological progress,

where AI enhances human potential

rather than replacing it.

Thank you.

(Applause)