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Learn what truly sets the UC Riverside MBA apart and how it helps in your professional growth
nightblade354
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Joined: 31 Jul 2017
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Status:He came. He saw. He conquered. -- Going to Business School -- Corruptus in Extremis
Location: United States (MA)
Concentration: Finance, Economics
Schools: Darden '25 (M)
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06 Dec 2019, 06:56
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Question Posed: Is the Human Workforce Doomed with the Rise of AI? New Research Says Fears Are Overblown
Abstract: New machine learning techniques have led to an acceleration of "artificial intelligence" (AI). Numerous papers have projected substantial job losses based on assessments of technical feasibility. But what is the actual impact? This paper reports on a survey of commercial AI startups, documenting rich detail about their businesses and their impacts on their customers. These firms report benefits of AI that are more often about enhancing human capabilities than replacing them. Their applications more often increase professional, managerial, and marketing jobs and decrease manual, clerical, and frontline service jobs. These startups sell to firms of different sizes, in different industries and nations, but the distribution of activity is distinct from that of larger firms. Firms serving EU customers appear to use higher levels of data protection.
Summary: Accelerated machine learning and the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) have given rise to worker dread with the overwhelming fear that, someday, a robot or algorithm may take your job. But what is the true impact of AI on workforces? Can the benefits of automation outweigh the potential negative consequences? NYU Stern Professor Robert Seamans and Stern PhD student Michael Impink, along with James Bessen and Lydia Reichensperger of Boston University, recently conducted a survey to study these questions and concluded that despite growing angst among workers, there is little evidence of job loss associated with AI so far.
In “The Business of AI Startups,” the co-authors administered a survey and collected responses from 179 AI firms and machine learning companies to explore the effects that AI had on their own businesses and their customers. Although there has been considerable commentary touting the concerns about machines replacing jobs, the researchers concluded that AI applications today are more geared toward enhancing human capabilities than they are about replacing humans.
Key findings from the survey include:
Using AI in a business doesn’t simply eliminate jobs or create jobs, but rather shifts the work from some occupations to others.
98% of survey respondents agreed that AI products enhanced human capabilities, instead of eliminating them.
AI affects employment differently across varied industries.
“If so many jobs were really at risk, we would see evidence of substantial job loss associated with emerging AI applications today. This survey makes clear that is not the case right now,” said the co-authors. This research suggests that fears of robots or algorithms taking human jobs are overblown, and instead highlights that AI can augment workers in their jobs in many cases.
In “The Business of AI Startups,” the co-authors administered a survey and collected responses from 179 AI firms and machine learning companies to explore the effects that AI had on their own businesses and their customers. Although there has been considerable commentary touting the concerns about machines replacing jobs, the researchers concluded that AI applications today are more geared toward enhancing human capabilities than they are about replacing humans.
Key findings from the survey include:
Using AI in a business doesn’t simply eliminate jobs or create jobs, but rather shifts the work from some occupations to others.
98% of survey respondents agreed that AI products enhanced human capabilities, instead of eliminating them.
AI affects employment differently across varied industries.
“If so many jobs were really at risk, we would see evidence of substantial job loss associated with emerging AI applications today. This survey makes clear that is not the case right now,” said the co-authors. This research suggests that fears of robots or algorithms taking human jobs are overblown, and instead highlights that AI can augment workers in their jobs in many cases.
Discussion Questions:
1. Do you agree or disagree with the Author's view? If so, why?
2. What are your views on AI in the workforce?
3. What can be done to mitigate or accelerate AI?
4. Should AI and coding be taught as part of an MBA curriculum?
5. Does this type of research make you want to apply to Stern?
1. Do you agree or disagree with the Author's view? If so, why?
2. What are your views on AI in the workforce?
3. What can be done to mitigate or accelerate AI?
4. Should AI and coding be taught as part of an MBA curriculum?
5. Does this type of research make you want to apply to Stern?
Archived NYU Stern Discussion
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