The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in workplaces has sparked a mixed reaction among employees, with some feeling undervalued and others questioning the technology’s current capabilities to fully replace human roles. As AI continues to evolve, its influence on various sectors is undeniable, with the International Monetary Fund indicating that around 40% of jobs globally could be impacted. Kristalina Georgieva, the IMF’s head, likened this shift to a “tsunami hitting the labour market,” highlighting the transformative potential of AI.

AI’s Impact on Editorial Work

Christie, an academic paper editor based in the United Kingdom, shares her experience of unknowingly participating in a project to train AI systems intended to assist in her role. Initially, Christie believed that the initiative aimed to address a shortage of qualified editors by training new assistants. However, she soon discovered that the so-called “assistant editors” were, in fact, AI programs.

“There was a huge shortage of qualified editors, so I assumed they were training up more [people] to take some of the load,” Christie explained.

As Christie continued her work, she noticed bizarre errors made by these AI editors, such as unnecessary punctuation and nonsensical changes to country names. Despite her efforts to address these mistakes, they persisted. Eventually, the company revealed in a newsletter that the assistant editors were AI programs. This revelation came with the announcement that all work would be pre-edited by AI, resulting in reduced fees for human editors.

Feeling “devalued, betrayed, and furious,” Christie faces a challenging situation. Although she prioritizes work from other sources, the company provides the highest volume of work, making it difficult for her to leave.

Challenges in Healthcare: AI in Patient Interaction

Mark Taubert, a palliative care consultant at Velindre University NHS Trust in Cardiff, embarked on a project to develop an AI chatbot aimed at assisting patients with metastatic cancer and palliative care. His goal was to create a tool that could help patients navigate complex medical information, particularly during out-of-hours scenarios.

“We asked patients to write down all their questions, and added patient information leaflets that we had previously written and agreed on,” Taubert recalled.

Despite the initial promise, the AI chatbot faced significant challenges. It correctly addressed about half of the inquiries in a manner similar to Taubert’s approach, but struggled with understanding patients’ pronunciation and handling human errors.

Taubert emphasized the need for AI to adapt to human nuances, such as misspellings, dialects, and accents. Although subsequent improvements were made to enhance safety, the project faced limitations, particularly in addressing sensitive questions related to patients’ well-being.

Ultimately, the chatbot, named Rita, was used with caution until funding constraints led to its discontinuation. Taubert underscored the project’s cautious approach, stating, “We would say: ‘Give this a try if you want to,’ but we also put in caveats.”

Navigating the Future of Work with AI

The integration of AI into various industries presents both opportunities and challenges. While AI can streamline processes and increase efficiency, concerns about job security and the technology’s current limitations persist. As businesses and employees navigate this evolving landscape, striking a balance between innovation and preserving the human element in the workforce remains crucial.

Originally reported by theguardian.com. Rewritten by 360DailyTrend editorial staff.