With all the hype around AI in the workplace, it’s hard to make sense of the catchphrases being thrown around by technology pundits. Some are confusing, tell only a partial truth or are just flat-out wrong.
Over that past year or so, I’ve attended conferences, listened to webinars and podcasts and have read lots of articles on AI and the “future of work”. While every so often there are some good knowledge nuggets, there’s still a good crop of bloviating AI evangelists, consultants and self-professed experts who keep repeating catchy phrases that now sound as soothing as Ms. Andress’ rendition of the National Anthem.
Here are my top three most popular, cringe-worthy, AI aphorisms I’ve heard and why I’m not onboard.
#1 Using AI is like using a calculator or email
This is the one I’ve heard most often, followed by the “we don’t feel bad or disclose a calculator did our math, do we?” How did this comparison even come up? Calculators do not solve algebraic equations or postulate theorems. But let’s put that aside for now. If GenAI is just a tool, then AI-enhanced work products are not just acceptable, they should be encouraged. Everything from research papers to resumes are fair game. Moreover, with the power of AI, we can argue that the work product will almost always be superior to anything solely produced by humans and we all prefer a superior product.
So now the end does justify the means? If we are willing to consider this for more merit-based scenarios like science or employment, should we be more accepting of it if it was for entertainment purposes? Why not encourage the use of performance enhancing drugs in sports? It would certainly be entertaining to see all sorts of records crushed, although I don’t think people would care as much about keeping score. Comparing AI to a calculator is as logical as comparing a Ford Mustang to a horse-drawn carriage just because they both have “horses”.
#2 Keeping the “Human in the Loop”
I’ve found that the “human in the loop” statement is the easiest way for people to skirt the conversation about bad decisions made by using AI. This catch-all statement is the ultimate risk mitigator by grossly simplifying the actions and behaviors created by keeping the “human in the loop”. Bluntly, it’s more like keeping the “human in the noose” since at the end of the day, it is easier to hold a person or company liable for wrongdoing than an algorithm. Moreover, the expectation that humans will validate AI work products is wholly contradictory to the notion that Gen AI makes humans more productive. Basically, this is just another way of saying “human quality control”.
But say, for example, you work in a highly competitive, highly compensated, high reward industry that requires you to assemble superior work products so to outshine your peers or beat your competitors. Are we so naïve to think that the quality control would be as stringent as that of an engineer developing a life-support system? Sadly, this is already happening. But it doesn’t have to be that glamorous. It’s not unreasonable to think people wouldn’t welcome having a leg up when vying for a promotion.
The problem with having the “human in the loop” is the “human”. As humans, we are susceptible to having our actions or behaviors incentivized, whether for fame, profit, laziness or a whole host of other reasons. Keeping us in the loop will not stop bad AI decisions from happening. In fact, bad decisions already happen every day without the use of AI, so for all intents and purposes, this phrase doesn’t mean anything.
#3 AI is not going to take your job
Oh yes it will, it’s only a matter of when. Hopefully that day is still far, far away. I’ll dive into more detail in another post, but for now, let’s connect this to another quote I see soon after this one is made. By using AI, employees will be able to “focus on higher-value tasks”. I can’t help but laugh out loud every time I read this. “Higher-value tasks”… like what? Like being an AI fact-checking, “human in the loop”?
Companies can’t have it both ways. If part of someone’s job is to AI fact-check so to avoid legal exposure, then you better believe that person is highly motivated to do their job thoroughly, lest they be subject to termination or worse. That said, fact-checking would not be considered high-value work by any means, and we all know what happens to those jobs when times are lean. Eventually companies will do the math and weigh that part of your job against the risk of the AI being wrong, and as the AI gets better, your chances won’t.
Corporate leaders keep insisting that AI is not a job-threat, but that’s because they haven’t figured out a way to introduce it to their companies, yet. That’s all starting to change though, just look at Goldman Sachs’ new Gen AI rollout.
Well, that only affects highly paid investment bankers, I’m sure your job will be safe. Are there other catchphrases you’ve heard? Feel free to post them in the comments below. In the meantime, maybe we should make it a drinking game at the next AI conference, just but be sure to hydrate plenty though.
Twistymind 
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