Did you know that the adoption of Gen AI is happening faster than the adoption of the internet or the personal computer? You may feel like the conversations around AI, especially Generative AI, are happening around you; leaders, businesses, educational institutions and companies are making decisions around AI, whilst you are sceptical.
I know I am.
Each month, I share my thoughts on a question that comes from The Balance Collective community or from conversations I am having, both personally and professionally, and this month’s is one that resonates. Very simply,
How to manage the pro AI chatter when you are sceptical?
This isn’t the first time I have written about AI and careers, and it won’t be the last. It’s important to note that my answer to this question comes from real-life experience. I describe myself as AI-vegan (for ethical reasons, I won’t consciously use it and work hard to remove myself from services and products that do). Interestingly, recent research has found that women (in the USA and Canada at least) tend to be more sceptical of AI and its impact than men, in part due to the risk (equality, environmental and economic) that it poses to us. Even more, a recent report found that people are intentionally sabotaging their companies’ AI efforts. So, you aren’t alone!
However, I also live and work in a world where these technological advancements are not under my total control. You may find that you are working within a sector that utilises AI, whilst you feel uncertain about your career prospects or job security, the future of safety and the impact on humanity, and want to become more informed. You may be wondering how to engage with this all in a way that feels genuine to yourself.
Sounds like you? Then welcome along.
Carry on reading if you want some insight into the risks, and intelligent and critical analysis, whilst working on the real human skills that we need. Here are the six types of people and professionals to follow to feel prepared for the pro-Gen AI conversations, as a fellow AI-sceptic.
Researchers/academics
Whilst we think about Gen-AI / AI as a recent thing, with its explosion into the world around 2022, in reality, it all stems from an academic setting more than a decade before. We have all been working under algorithms for a long time; every time Netflix recommends a show, or a credit deal is instantly confirmed or denied, that is a tool gathering data and making decisions. However, what we have now is an increase in trust and use of systems that are being commercialised with the legislation in place.
There is an amazing development online, where researchers and academics are creating content and sharing the information that is usually kept for a classroom. There are the ones showing what is working, what isn’t and what could change to make things better for us, our work and our world.
I always find following the work of the “Godfather of AI”, Geoffrey Hinton, as essential, as he recently mentioned, “It’s progressed even faster than I thought. In particular, it’s got better at doing things like reasoning and also at things like deceiving people.””. Here are some more that are worth you paying attention to:
Shae O. Omonijo (PhD Candidate at Harvard)
Saffana Teaches Comms – Media Literacy Educator
The Artificiality Institute – They are studying the question “Can we stay human?”
Policy Advisors / Charities
With the above in mind, the impact of the shift in technology is something that policymakers and groups have been following for a long time. They research, report, advocate and develop areas that have been seen to be a massive risk factor for AI use. This can include gender pay gaps, mental health, geopolitics, social mobility, environmental issues, and more. This is such an important factor; for example, it’s been found that the use of AI tools may increase feelings of loneliness and reduce social skills.
Make sure you add these to your to-read list:
The Fawcett Society – UK’s leading membership charity campaigning for women’s rights and gender equality.
Pull the plug on AI – a movement to give ordinary people a say on how AI is implemented.
Control AI – a not-for-profit dedicated to mitigating the risks from powerful AI systems.
AI Ethics
Many people have worked within the “big hitters” of the AI world, then decided to go public about what they have seen. To raise the alarm of the issues and share their concerns, and suggestions to reduce harm.
For others, they are using their knowledge to provide a different option for AI. Founders who still believe in the tool but have stepped away from corporate raise and desire for domination. An example of this is people building their AI using Small Language Models (SLMS), which are seen to be less energy intensive, better for specific tasks, potentially (but not always) trained on data that is less likely to be “scraped” unethically and highly quality data. The models that many of us think about with GenAI, ChatGPT, and Claude are trained on swathes of data with inbuilt biases that can cause harm; many of those aiming for more ethical AI are working against that.
How far you follow and engage with these organisations is up to you, but finding people who are experienced and are approaching this in a new way gives you more insight and conversations about why AI needs to be used, and if so, who is better placed to lead those organisations and create the product.
I particularly like the following:
Catharina Doria – AI Ethics Expert.
Ethical Alliance – to build accountability in practise, where AI governance falls short.
Tristin Harris – Co-founder of the Center for Humane Tech
Technology journalists
By gaining information from sector specialists, trained to investigate, critique and consider, rather than those who have a commercial agenda on promoting AI, can really help you build a perspective of AI. I am comfortable with my AI-vegan approach, but as I was recently told, “understanding this topic doesn’t mean you promote it”.
These journalists can give insight into things that others can’t or won’t. They understand that people, personalities, strategies, and investments. For example, I am currently reading Empire of AI (Inside the reckless race for total domination) by Kate Hao. She has had the “inside track” on OpenAI since 2019 and is an award-winning AI journalist.
These are a great place to start:
Futurism – a mission to provide readers a window into the news and stories of tomorrow, today!
The last two suggestions of types of people are about you staying connected to the skills of humanity that I do not think AI will ever, or should ever, replace! It’s what sets us apart from Gen AI and keeps us closer to some of the critical and creative skills that automated and workflow systems will aim to speed up or replace.
Any type of Artist!
From poets, writers, photographers, musicians, painters and more, keeping these types of people in your life (and ideally, buying from them to help keep them in business!). Consuming their information helps you think, reflect and create yourself, which can only be a great thing for our mental health and careers.
Philosophers
Finally, but by no means least, people who are reflecting on what it means to be human, to be creative, to work. Those who encourage us to keep our critical thinking skills finely tuned. You may find that these types of people show up under the academic / researchers’ group; after all, scientists are originally philosophers, constantly asking “why”?
One of the questions that all of us, regardless of the “side” we land on, ask is “Can AI have a consciousness?” Well, some AI organisations are employing philosophers to investigate that very question!
The reflective approach also helps with a key skill we need to maintain in the “age of automation”: problem solving and learning from mistakes (something AI is nowhere near ready for and may never be!)
Baratunde Thruston – a MUST read/listen for the questions we have about humanity, ai and nature.
Meghan Sullivan – TED Radio “The philosopher trying to teach ethics to AI developers”.
A longer article this week, but I hope after reading this, and finding some of the experts I mentioned, you will be better prepared, informed and able to go into the conversations. You will start to counter what can be seen as blind trust, faith and a race for adoption. By utilising your scepticism by gathering new perspectives, you can take control and slow down the personal impact of what is predicted to be the fifth industrial revolution.
Where does this insight and knowledge take you?
I’d love to know your take on this. Is there anyone you think I should be following and know about? Head over to Creating Careers to Enjoy to continue the conversation.
If you found that interesting, you may also want to read:
How can I future proof my career against AI?
How to have an ethical career?
How can you find purpose in your work, in an unpredictable world?
If you are looking to create a career to enjoy, for yourself or your team, then book a call here, and let’s talk (to a real human!)
Clara Wilcox is a straight talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance.
