Are Robots Stealing Our Jobs? Chat GPT Thinks So.

1. Introduction

Robots really are stealing our jobs; let’s talk about it. 

In today’s day and age, theories that robots may take over the workforce are quite common. There is a complex interplay between the growing use of automation and the quantity and quality of employment opportunities available for humans. As AI gets smarter and more predominantly utilized, it sparks my interest in what the future will look like. So, what better way to predict what a future AI-integrated workplace will look like than to ask an AI ChatBot itself? I was eager to know how Chat GPT perceives the consequences and/or opportunities of the growing intelligence and utilization of AI. I wanted to not only hear a future prediction of an AI-integrated world, but also what call-to-action policies would look like today to prepare for such changes. How will employment opportunities be impacted by AI? What can world leaders do today to prepare for what seems to be an inevitable change? 

Initially, my prompts were very specific and confined to certain industries. I am a Molecular & Cellular Biology major hoping to enter the biotechnology field, so I was naturally inclined to write a prompt specific to medical technologies, such as robotic surgery. At the same time, I am someone who is very passionate about helping people. I considered the fact that the people most impacted by increasing automation today are blue collar workers. Therefore, I broadened my prompt with an intention to better understand general societal and economical impacts of AI, instead of narrowing in on the biotechnology industry in particular. My prompt and Chat’s response can be found below.

2. Prompt

Write a letter from 50 years in the future addressing the current leaders of the UN about the societal impacts of AI and automation on the job market and human employment, as well as recommendations on what can be done today to prepare for this foreseeable future.

3. Chat GPT 4o mini generated the following:

Letter

Date: September 5, 2074

To: Current Leaders of the United Nations

From: Office of Future Societal Impact Analysis

Subject: Reflections on the Societal Impacts of AI and Automation on Employment

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Dear Esteemed Leaders,

As we approach the fiftieth anniversary of the widespread adoption of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technologies, we wish to share our reflections on the profound societal transformations these advancements have engendered. Our insights are intended to provide valuable context and guidance as you continue to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by these technologies.

1. Evolution of Work and Employment:

In the decades following the initial wave of AI and automation, the nature of work has undergone a dramatic transformation. The automation of routine and manual tasks has led to the displacement of many traditional jobs, fundamentally reshaping the global job market. Key observations include:

• Displacement and Job Polarization: The automation of routine and repetitive tasks has led to a significant reduction in demand for low-skill jobs, while creating a polarization in the job market. High-skill roles in technology, research, and creative industries have flourished, but many individuals have struggled to transition to these new roles.
• Emergence of New Careers: The rise of AI has also given birth to entirely new professions, such as AI ethics specialists, robotic maintenance experts, and virtual experience designers. These roles require specialized training and have become central to the modern economy.

2. Societal Impact and Adaptation:

The societal impacts of these technological advancements have been profound and multifaceted:

• Economic and Social Inequality: The benefits of automation have not been evenly distributed. Wealth and income disparities have widened, with technology companies and their stakeholders reaping substantial economic gains. Efforts to address these disparities through policies such as Universal Basic Income (UBI) and progressive taxation have been essential, yet challenges remain.
• Redefinition of Purpose and Identity: With traditional employment no longer the central focus of many individuals’ lives, there has been a significant shift towards redefining personal purpose. Many people are now prioritizing personal fulfillment, community involvement, and lifelong learning over traditional career trajectories.
• Increased Leisure and Quality of Life: The reduction in work hours and the increased efficiency of automated systems have provided individuals with more leisure time. This has led to improvements in quality of life and well-being, though it has also necessitated adjustments in how people find meaning and structure in their daily lives.

3. Recommendations for Future Preparedness:

To effectively navigate the future shaped by AI and automation, we recommend the following strategic actions:

• Invest in Comprehensive Education and Reskilling: Prioritize initiatives that promote education and reskilling to prepare the workforce for the evolving job market. Emphasize not only technical skills but also competencies in critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence. Encourage partnerships between educational institutions, businesses, and governments to align training with future job requirements.
• Develop Adaptive Economic Policies: Implement policies designed to address economic inequality exacerbated by automation. Explore innovative approaches such as Universal Basic Income (UBI) or negative income tax to provide a safety net for those displaced by technological advancements. Consider progressive taxation on technology-driven profits to fund social programs.
• Promote Ethical AI and Automation Practices: Establish guidelines and regulations to ensure the ethical development and deployment of AI technologies. Address concerns related to privacy, bias, and transparency to build public trust and foster responsible innovation. Encourage international cooperation to create global standards for ethical AI practices.
• Foster Human-Centric Employment Strategies: Support and invest in sectors that leverage uniquely human skills and capabilities, such as healthcare, creative arts, and social services. Facilitate the creation of job opportunities that emphasize human connection and emotional intelligence, which are less susceptible to automation.
• Encourage Public Dialogue and Engagement: Engage in open dialogues with the public to discuss the implications of AI and automation on employment and society. Foster inclusive conversations that consider diverse perspectives and promote societal readiness for future changes.

Conclusion:

As you lead the global community through this era of rapid technological advancement, the experiences and lessons learned from the past fifty years offer valuable insights. By proactively addressing the challenges and embracing the opportunities presented by AI and automation, you can help create a more equitable, inclusive, and resilient future for all.

We extend our deepest appreciation for your commitment to shaping a prosperous and harmonious global society. Your leadership will be instrumental in navigating the transformative changes that lie ahead.

Sincerely,
Director, Office of Future Societal Impact Analysis

– Chat GPT

4. Reflection

Although Chat GPT can thoroughlt search the internet to find a variety of sources dating back decades if not centuries, the one thing it can’t do is predict the future. Therefore, that’s exactly what I asked it to do. It appears to have pulled information from academic journals and other published research that has been done on the rising use of automation. However, it doesn’t appear to have looked at any data or predictive analytics on anticipated unemployment rates. It explains that a major impact of automation is job polarization and the diminishment of low level jobs. This is a consequence of automation that is already at play today, so it makes sense that Chat GPT included that in its letter. It also needed to understand what the UN leaders have the power to do, as it also provided policy recommendations to assist in future preparedness. It formatted the letter into three parts, each answering one part of the prompt. In relation to the Circuit of Culture, I found that Chat GPT’s letter broadly acknowledged the potential identity and representation changes that low-skilled workers experience as a result of automation, and even provided a recommendation to help minimize any fears that arise with these personal changes.

Identity and representation are two very personal and humanized things. The studies and academic journals that Chat GPT pulled information from are outlining the general fact that automation is replacing low-skill jobs. However, when it comes to identity and representation, Chat GPT cannot put itself in the shoes of these workers. It can explain that job polarization can result in social and economic inequality, but it cannot explain explain the identity crisis individuals may go through when they lose their jobs to automation. However, I was impressed with Chat GPT’s acknowledgement that many individuals will need to redefine their identity, and its recommendation for future preparedness that highlighted public dialogue and engagement. Oftentimes, workers displaced by robots may need to reimagine their identities, aspirations, and personal purpose. As Chat GPT explains, they might need reskilling and education in higher-skill areas. This shift can foster new identities, but it also requires adapting to changing cultural values where technological skills are prioritized over manual labor. Therefore, encouraging public dialogue to prepare people for the major societal and employment changes that come with automation could be extremely important. Although Chat GPT could not directly outline the impacts of automation on the personal identity of those most at risk of losing their jobs, it was able to broadly acknowledge that reimagined identities are indeed a major impact of automation in the workforce, and it was able to provide a recommendation that could indirectly help them.

Public dialogue and engagement can also be pivotal in the representation of both humans and AI in society. In today’s society, there is a fascinating duality in how robots and automation are represented. On one hand, they are innovative and economically beneficial via their effectiveness and accuracy. At the same time, they are overtaking low-skill jobs, resulting in job polarization and consequently socioeconomic inequality. In its letter, Chat GPT is relatively neutral about robots and automation, highlighting both the challenges and the opportunities that arose from its increased integration into the workplace.

The final thing to consider is the AI-generated image. The image shows many robots working alongside a human in an office. It was interesting to see how different the AI-generated image was from the letter. The image showed robots working desk jobs in offices, which are considered to be more middle- to high-skilled jobs. On the other hand, the letter stated that 50 years in the future, robots and automation had replaced low-skill, repetitive jobs. The image was more creative and futuristic, whereas the letter was heavily based on published studies and academic journals, as discussed. I found this difference to be very interesting, especially since the prompts were very similar.