The world is on the cusp of a technological revolution. But the future isn't just artificial intelligence, it's the synergy of AI and humans working together. The enormous potential of AI is in how it can accelerate and complement the things that only people can do. The real threat of generative AI is that humans will screw this up and dismantle its progress and promise.
The tech isn't the problem
People are slowly understanding where AI excels and where it doesn't perform as well. AI that automates mundane and repetitive tasks is effective and in full swing. Workers can now instead focus on the creative, strategic, and interpersonal work that uses human strengths. The challenge lies not in the technology but in integrating it into workstreams, steering its development, and managing its impact.
If ethical considerations are prioritized, more investments into education and retraining are made, and a collaborative environment between AI and human intelligence is cultivated, society can avoid the pitfalls of disruption and instead unlock a future where technology amplifies human potential.
Find the sweet spot of contextualizing AI into your business
A 2023 study from consultancy Accenture found that three out of four C-suite executives believe that if they don't scale artificial intelligence in the next five years, they risk going out of business entirely.
Navigating this new age will take strategic and human-centric leadership coupled with a clear vision. Once a business can prioritize, identify, and execute AI software in its organization or business unit, organizations need to bring people along for the transformation.
People need to embrace new technology, but they also need to be motivated to upskill along with it so that the jobs of the future are filled and workers feel confident about using AI to grow their careers. As roles get automated and overall efficiency rises, there will be a constant pipeline of upskilling and reskilling needed to make the best use of the workforce.
Take, for example, the work of radiologists who specialize in diagnosing diseases and injuries using medical imaging techniques. AI and machine learning algorithms have demonstrated remarkable accuracy in analyzing these images, often spotting nuances that may not be immediately apparent to the human eye.
That doesn't mean that people have no place in this field. While AI could handle a substantial portion of the preliminary image analysis, radiologists can instead focus on more complex cases, cross-verify AI's findings, and provide a more personalized approach to patient care. Humans are now available to focus on interventional procedures and collaborate with other healthcare professionals to determine the best course of treatment. These aspects of the job use human empathy, critical thinking, and a nuanced understanding of patient care, which AI cannot replicate.
There is no template for building organizations, teams, and processes around AI and people together yet. However, for the productive future to succeed, society needs to be willing to put in the work and ask the right questions: How will AI affect different tasks? How do organizations need to be redesigned? How do people need to be reskilled?
The hard work starts now
This developing new world of generative AI will get even more unfamiliar as AI tech improves. Many people and organizations will make mistakes. It will be critical to understand the tradeoffs like cost, speed, build versus buy, and risk mitigation.
There must be visionary companies at the forefront to put in the work and model how people can flourish alongside AI. This depends on having leaders willing to experiment and devote enough time and patience to make it work, which includes supporting people in learning the technology's capabilities and upskilling their workforces.
AI won't be a threat if people are given the opportunities and resources to get good at using it to complement what they do. This human-first connection--not the potential of AI models alone--should shape where the technology goes from here.
EXPERT OPINION BY SANIA KHAN, CHIEF ECONOMIST AND HEAD OF MARKET INSIGHTS, EIGHTFOLD AI@SANIAKHANLAIQUE
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