Portfolio Project Final - Jared Drake - COM300
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The Effects of A.I. On The Workforce
Jared Drake
Colorado State University Global
COM300
Professor Harris
2/25/22
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The Effects of A.I. On The Workforce
As the world continues to develop new technologies there have been rising fears about what these new technologies could mean for our workforce. Those advocating for Artificial Intelligence say that it will solely augment jobs and not replace them, while others have seen what is already occurring with technology such as self- checkout and are more skeptical. It is essential that in order to fully understand this problem we must look at the exact mechanisms in which artificial intelligence will actually do both. Without a complete understanding of both arguments, it is not possible for the powers that be to create effective policy or regulations to ensure this technology will not end up being a net negative for humanity. Whether it be positively or negatively, one thing is for sure, Artificial Intelligence will affect the workforce. Widespread Effects
Whether you are an unskilled laborer, a mid-level manager, or a lawyer, Artificial Intelligence is going to affect careers and jobs from all walks of life. Bruun (2018) conducted a survey in which they asked 1,896 experts in the field of A.I. and 52% of them believe that artificial intelligence will displace more jobs than it will create. Since 2018 however these estimates have gone up because even just six years ago the experts were unaware of the speed of development this new technology was going to have. There are major corporations such as Amazon that offer massive financial awards each year for new technology in this field. Not only are corporations driving the speed at which this technology is being developed but the technology itself is aiding in its rapid development. Through the use of artificial intelligence programmers have been able to make progress in software development at speeds previously not thought possible. The most common misconception when it comes to new technologies displacing workers is that it will only effect unskilled workers with repetitive tasks. While it is
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true that this will most likely be the highest number of workers affected there is already evidence
that this will not be the extent of the job loss. Since May of 2023 more than 4,600 jobs in the technology sector that required at least a bachelor’s degree have been cut directly due to advancements in artificial intelligence and programming efficiency. Unregulated Effects
As artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent it is increasingly imperative that legislation be put in place to mitigate the potential negative effects it could bring to the workforce and economy. Many optimists say throughout history we have adapted to new technologies, the difference is those could not intellectually compete with a human when improvisation was needed but that is no longer the case. Jobs across the employment spectrum will all be challenged by tech that can combine the efficiency of a machine with the creativity and agency of a human. According to a study done roughly 27% of business leaders stated that artificial intelligence replaced employees in 2022 (Mutascu, 2023). The rate at which this will occur is only going to increase. Private funding for artificial intelligence in 2011 was estimated to be around $282 million and in 2021 it was an estimated $16.5 billion (Bailey, 2022).
Sooner Rather Than Later
Too many times throughout history governments have chosen not to intervene and instead have been left scrambling to solve issues before society collapses. Even if there is only a small chance that this new technology could cause devastating effects to our workforce and economy then there needs to be policy in place ahead of time. Thanks to certain individuals such as Andrew Yang, a presidential candidate in 2020 that centered his platform on these issues, there has been more attention given to the subject, but it is not sufficient. Chomanski (2019) summarizes that if the country’s economy comes to rely on the decisions of the corporate elite
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then society will be left in an unacceptably dominated state. Executive Order 14110 requires that companies provide “robust, reliable, repeatable, and standardized evaluations of AI systems.” (CISA, 2023). However, this merely ensures that these new systems will be unbiased and safe for
humans to use and does nothing to ensure that this technology will not displace humans. It seems
obvious to me that the government in the United States has fallen victim to the enormous market that is being created by this technology. Unless those in government that have not already been tied down by lobbyists or other interested parties step up to the plate and create unbiased regulations to integrate this new technology with out ever developing societies then the repercussions of artificial intelligence could possibly be life altering for everyone not just those at the lowest levels of income and societal status.
Conclusion
Artificial Intelligence is being developed rapidly both by private government entities as
well as public corporations all racing for the big pay day and this technology will directly affect
the workforce as we know it. Unfortunately, the pace at which it is being developed is either
being highly underestimated, or, more likely ignored by officials in power. Whether this be due
to a lack in understanding on the topic, prevention by the financial gatekeepers of our political
world, or by just plain ignorance it is clear that not enough effective action is being taken to
ensure this technology will not negatively affect humankind. The focus for government policy
needs to be that Artificial Intelligence is safe and is prepared in a manner that will allow for a
seamless integration with the workforce. With further unbiased policy and regulation combined
with a plan to integrate the new technology into the workforce without creating mass
unemployment, this technology can be a net positive for humanity.
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References
Tschang, F. T., & Almirall, E. (2021). Artificial Intelligence as Augmenting Automation: Implications for Employment
. Academy of Management Perspectives, 35(4), 642–659. https://doi.org/10.5465/amp.2019.0062
Bruun, E. P. G., & Duka, A. (2018) Artificial Intelligence, Jobs and the Future of Work: Racing with the Machines. Basic Income Studies
,
13(2) https://doi.org/10.1515/bis-2018-0018
Chomanski, B. (2019). Massive Technological Unemployment Without Redistribution: A
Case for Cautious Optimism. Science and Engineering Ethics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-
018-0070-0
Mutascu, M., & Hegerty, S. W. (2023). Predicting the contribution of artificial intelligence to unemployment rates: an artificial neural network approach. Journal of Economics
& Finance, 47(2), 400–416. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12197-023-09616-z
Bailey, D. E. (2022). Emerging Technologies at Work: Policy Ideas to Address Negative Consequences for Work, Workers, and Society
. ILR Review, 75(3), 527–551. https://doi.org/10.1177/00197939221076747
Demirjian, K. (2023, June 22). Schumer's Path to Tackling A.I. Includes Education and Prioritization
. A17(L). https://link-gale-com.csuglobal.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/A7539835
CISA. (2023, October). Recent U.S. efforts on AI policy
| CISA. (n.d.). Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency CISA. https://www.cisa.gov/ai/recent-
efforts#:~:text=The%20following%20recent%20efforts%20guiding,AI%20is%20safe
%20and%20secure