Forget about the old days of “people serving people.” More restaurants and hotels are now using robotic cooks, delivery robots, self-serving kiosks, Chatbots, and other AI-empowered machines in service operations.
Some businesses must rely on machines to address the labor shortage issue. Others count on machines to deliver faster and more consistent service. Moreover, many consumers have become used to automatic self-services during the pandemic. It is not surprising to see robots taking over more service jobs.
What is the latest robotic “thing” that deems to take over even more human jobs?
That is ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer), the popular chatbot from OpenAI. Launched in November 2022, ChatGPT is designed to answer user requests with AI-generated articles, essays, jokes, and even poetry. By January 2023, ChatGPT was already set to reach 100 million monthly active users (Hu, 2023). On average, about 13 million unique visitors used ChatGPT every day in January. As a reference, it took nine months for TikTok and 2.5 years for Instagram to reach 100 million users.
ChatGPT could also threaten white-collar jobs.
The development of ChatGPT and related AI can be a threat to more than just front-line labor. Tech jobs (e.g., coders, data analysts, programmers, and software engineers), media jobs (e.g., content creation, technical writing, and journalism), and legal industry jobs (e.g., paralegals and legal assistants) are particularly at risk (Mok & Zinkula, 2023).
Is ChatGPT good enough to steal our jobs?
I did a test earlier by asking ChatGPT this question: Are robots stealing jobs? ChatGPT gave me the following answer:
Robots and automation can certainly displace some jobs and change the nature of work in many industries. As technology continues to advance, it is likely that we will see an increase in automation in various fields, which could result in some human jobs becoming unnecessary or obsolete. However, it is important to note that automation can also create new jobs, improve productivity, and increase efficiency in many industries.
For example, automation can be used to perform repetitive, mundane tasks, freeing up workers to focus on more complex and creative tasks. Additionally, automation can lead to the development of new industries and job opportunities, such as those related to the design, programming, and maintenance of robots and other automated systems.
Therefore, while it’s true that robots and automation can displace some jobs, it’s important to consider the potential benefits as well the challenges of automation. It’s also important to invest in education and training programs to help workers acquire new skills and adapt to the changing job market.
How not to get replaced by robots or ChatGPT at work
ChatGPT is good, and it will only get better! Machines and AI are deemed to take over more human jobs. While it can be challenging for us to compete with AI in technical skills, we humans can do a better job in more complex skills like leadership, creativity, motivation, and critical thinking.
Do you expect robots will steal more human jobs soon? What can we do if we do not want to get replaced?
References:
Hu, K. (2023, February 2). ChatGPT sets record for fastest-growing user base – analyst note. Reuters. Available via https://www.reuters.com/technology/chatgpt-sets-record-fastest-growing-user-base-analyst-note-2023-02-01/
Mok, A. & Zinkula, J. (2023, February 2). ChatGPT may be coming for our jobs. Here are the 10 roles that AI is most likely to replace. Business Insider. Available via https://www.businessinsider.com/chatgpt-jobs-at-risk-replacement-artificial-intelligence-ai-labor-trends-2023-02
Note: This article was also published in The Hospitality News Magazine.
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ReplyDeleteSurely robotics and AI will be integrated more and more into the job market. However, I believe it is in the hands of the corporate executives who wish to use robotics in their services. Many quick service restaurants have utilized self-service kiosks to put in and pay for an order. Often this is the only option we have. However, some restaurants have both a self-service kiosk and a human. Some customers will prefer talking to a human. If there are problems with the kiosk, the human can assist. Other customers will prefer the kiosk over human interaction. When the human is overwhelmed with customers, he can suggest that they use the kiosk. The ideal setup is to offer both options.
ReplyDeleteTo avoid being replaced, we should embrace the aspects of our job that can not be done better with robotics and AI. Things like intangible creative qualities such as thinking outside the box to get new ideas. Even basic social interaction can not yet be beat by AI.
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ReplyDeleteI too believe that robots and ai are stealing more jobs now and it is something that can't be avoided. Whether the world likes it or not, technology will surely steal our jobs in the future because in the end, this is all progress of humanity. And who wants to turn back progress? Even if we manage to win against the battle of jobs with robots and ai, they will always rise again, similar to the concept that if one doesn't invent robots, somebody else in the world eventually will. The only industry that may have a chance against robots and ai stealing jobs is the hospitality industry, as human touch is what makes hospitality, hospitality. This isn't limit to lodging but also food and beverage jobs like chefs. But this job doesn't need humans in the form of hospitality but in the form of creativity. Robots are perfect at making everything perfect. But where is the creativity of that if everything is the same? That is why having a human handle a chef's job adds a bit of imperfection, a touch of uniqueness. These are some of the jobs that may combat robots and ai. In the end, there is no doubt that technology will take over more and more of our jobs. Even though people complain, this is no different from the time the steam engine was invented during the Industrial Revolution. If we always won the battle of jobs against technology, I wouldn't even be sitting here typing this comment. Once again, nobody wants to turn back progress.
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