The authors of ‘The Future of the Professions’ explore the impact of AI on professional work and the reaction of professionals to AI technologies.
ChatGPT represents a significant advancement in artificial intelligence. Over the past decade, our research has delved into the influence of AI on various sectors, including medicine, law, teaching, and accountancy.
In our book, ‘The Future of the Professions,’ we present an optimistic narrative. At a time when professional advice is costly and our systems in health, justice, education, and auditing often fall short, AI offers the potential for easier access to top-notch expertise. Naturally, some professionals perceive this as a threat because the latest generative AI systems can outperform humans in certain tasks, such as coding and drafting documents.
Contrary to predictions, the scope of the newest AI systems extends far beyond narrow applications. These systems can diagnose illnesses, design buildings, and create lesson plans with equal proficiency. They challenge the notion that AI must possess “creativity” or “judgment” to perform tasks requiring such qualities, a common defense from traditional professionals. These high-performing systems don’t need to “reason” like lawyers or “understand” anatomy like doctors to produce quality work.
How do professionals react to AI? Our original research and recent studies show a familiar pattern. Architects embrace new possibilities, auditors feel threatened, doctors dismiss non-doctors, and management consultants prefer advising on transformation rather than changing themselves. However, business leaders seem less dismissive of generative AI compared to the past.
Some leaders seek ways to streamline operations using AI technologies. A study by MIT researchers found that ChatGPT increased white-collar writing productivity by almost 40%, benefiting tasks like composing important emails or press releases. Others focus on reducing workforce, as seen with the online learning company Domestika which replaced nearly half of its Spanish staff working on translation and marketing with ChatGPT.
While some consider these cuts rash, Goldman Sachs research predicts that automation could jeopardize up to 300 million jobs worldwide. However, few professionals believe that AI will handle their most complex work. They still envision AI confined to routine activities like document review and administrative tasks while reserving complex tasks for human experts.
Yet, each aspect of this claim is debatable. The capabilities of generative AI systems already go beyond routine tasks. And when it comes to personal attention, consider the case of tax. Most people who use online tools to file their taxes don’t miss the social interaction with tax advisers.
Claiming that clients want expert advisers confuses process with outcome. Patients desire good health, not just doctors. Clients hope to avoid pitfalls, not litigators. People seek trustworthy solutions, whether from human professionals or AI.
This raises broader questions. How can existing professionals adapt? What are we training future professionals for? We must avoid nurturing craftsmen with knowledge that will soon become irrelevant. Today’s and tomorrow’s workers should acquire new skills like knowledge engineering, data science, design thinking, and risk management, allowing them to build and operate systems that replace outdated practices.
Some argue that coding should be a priority skill to teach. However, AI systems like AlphaCode from DeepMind already excel in coding, outperforming many contestants in major competitions. Instead, we should recognize the emergence of new roles like prompt optimizers, who excel at instructing and obtaining the best responses from generative AI systems.
While the latest AI technologies present risks, such as biased outputs or technological unemployment, as performance improves and benefits become evident, the advantages of AI access will often outweigh the drawbacks. The ethical and regulatory debates will continue, but the potential of AI is undeniable.
The professions are ill-prepared for the changes ahead. Many companies still focus on selling the time of their employees, relying on traditional lawyers, auditors, tax advisers, and architects to fuel their growth. However, the greatest opportunities lie in actively participating in the development of generative AI applications for clients.
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