AI is everywhere (soon)! How do we deal with this game changer in our field of work?

Artificial intelligence (also abbreviated to AI) is strongly on the rise. With ChatGPT currently as the most well-known example, of course. Although AI not really carries out all to do’s in your day planner yet, you will deal with it more and more. Which role will this play in your career? And how do we as a society apply the AI developments properly in the work field? Maarten Goos, a professor of Institutions and Economics at Utrecht University, shares his insights in this interview.

Hospital without staff?

The breakthrough in AI is still relatively new and fully in development. Professor Goos explains: “Large language models such as ChatGPT are only the beginning. Companies such as Apple and Microsoft currently invest en masse in the development of general artificial intelligence. We will see that later in various sectors. We're then talking about fully autonomous systems, which can do things like producing supermarket products without requiring any humans. Or healthcare we can carry out without staff. We're technologically not there yet, but the hype does live.”

Exactly that is why we as a society must NOW think about ways in which we can and – especially – want to use AI. This is because AI provides opportunities, besides the disadvantages and dangers such as jobs disappearing and the further polarisation of the job market which has been ongoing since the start of digitalization in 1980. We can make jobs better and more efficient, but we will then have to exert influence on the way in which we deal with AI.

Rejected by an algorithm

As humans, we of course choose how we shape technology such as AI. In the Netherlands at tech companies, for example, but especially at bigger tech centres such as Silicon Valley. An example of this is the automation of processes, which companies bet on en masse in technological developments. But according to Goos, it is especially important that technology is complementary to what we do at our jobs. And that we contribute good social side effects to it.

An important issue in this is: how do we deal with data? Goos explains: “For instance, ChatGPT uses machine learning. This means: you train ChatGPT based on existing data. Such a system doesn't think for itself. So it's important which data is used. We have to look deeply into this. Which forms of data are there? Which data is generated by which technology? And who has ownership over it?”

In laws and regulations, we have to set agreements. You can counteract abuse of data, among other things, with this. Or prevent faults in systems. Such as if a company applies artificial intelligence in the recruitment process for new employees. Goos specifies: “By automating this, algorithms will throw certain CVs out of the selection. But based on what? If an algorithm is trained on HR managers who discriminated in the past, an algorithm will adopt this bias. There's so much in that technology we currently don't control. We have to start developing more skills for that.”

How we use AI such as ChatGPT matters too. Goos continues: “If you ask ChatGPT something, you receive a text in return. You can believe that text, and copy it as it is. But the information isn't always reliable. And the sources aren't clear. That's why we must learn to ask the right questions and to make choices based on information we receive from technology. We must learn to filter and interpret information.”

Students might learn from a virtual textbook in the future, via an algorithm which monitors and understands their progress.

Turning the switches

Ethical issues must be on the agenda, Goos explains: “We must include our ethical norms and values in our choices on AI. I hope Europe will play a leading role in that. That we want to guide technology, even though we make it more difficult for big tech by doing so. Europe is already a trailblazer in this: consciously dealing with the choices we make, towards the future. We do that differently here than in the United States, for example. Our alumni can soon play a role in that. They know the technology best. I also think they know very well what they want.”

A debate on AI is required. “Within companies and in a broader social meeting with unions, employers and government, we must spend much more attention on the importance of technology and artificial intelligence. We're already talking about matters like work times and environmental impact. But not or little on technology yet. How do we deal with that within companies? Or within sectors?” Goos specifies. “Those are big issues, which are heading towards us at high speeds. But there are no instruments yet to give us the switches to turn, to provide direction to this technology.”

So there certainly is an opportunity in the upcoming years. To UU alumni too! Goos hopes there will quickly be more urgency on this important theme. Exactly then, AI can be a beautiful addition to our jobs. For instance, Goos illustrates: “Students might learn from a virtual textbook in the future, via an algorithm which monitors and understands their progress. A lecturer can then fill another role and won't have to teach a class to one hundred students at the same time. Or UWV staff members who help the unemployed might use a virtual personal assistant, which takes over administrative work from them. That results in time to really have the human conversation again. With that, you look for applications which are of added value to everyone. And you make jobs more fun with AI.”

The future does not wait

A game changer, that is what AI is either way. Developments succeed each other quickly. And we – institutions, companies, employers, employees and alumni – have to find ways to deal with that. All in all, Goos believes we as humans must be at the helm ourselves in order to make AI applications complementary to our jobs. One thing is certain: the future will not wait, so it is time to take action with a critical look now. Especially then, we can develop AI which improves the work field, instead of only automating jobs and pushing employees aside. Will you soon contribute to that as an alumn, during your career?

Written by Anna Schouten