Kai Lenny rides a wave at Pe’ahi, also known as Jaws. The AI wave is coming, are you ready… [+] get on?
AFP via Getty Images
For many, the AI revolution seems like something far away in the future, or at least how it will impact us is unclear. But is it really that far away? The AI revolution is a fun new way to increase productivity and help with everyday tasks like writing sentences and answering questions through LLMs (large scale language models) like ChatGPT. But it may seem too far away to see it impacting everyone’s lives every day. Is it really?
NBC revealed that Al Michaels, the legendary announcer who famously delivered those six words at the 1980 Winter Olympics: “Do you believe in miracles? I do!”, is going all in on AI. While much of the media and creative community has backed away, expressed concerns, or blocked LLM from using their content, Al Michaels is doing the opposite. He’s going all in. This year, in the lead up to the 2024 Paris Olympics, NBC and Peacock announced that any Olympic fan can sign up for a 100% customizable, AI-generated, tailored highlights package. Al will announce your name and broadcast only the sports you want to watch. The demo is pretty mind-blowing. It feels like it was made by Al Michaels!
With his permission, Randy Travis will be releasing a new 100% original song by AI.
Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
This isn’t the first, and it won’t be the last. Another example is Randy Travis. Randy Travis is one of country music’s most beloved artists, with 16 No. 1 hits throughout his career. However, in 2013 he suffered a stroke that left him unable to sing. Chris Lacy of Warner Music Nashville suggested to Randy’s wife that they use AI to release new songs.
In May of this year, Randy’s AI song “Where That Came From” reached No. 34 on the Billboard Country Music Charts.
These apps, and of course Apple’s recent announcement of AI integration, will mean more and more ways for people to see the benefits, but there’s another AI movement in the background that will have a much bigger impact.
A recent study by Goldman Sachs found that “the new wave of AI systems could also have a significant impact on job markets around the world. Workflow changes caused by these advancements could lead to the automation of 300 million full-time jobs.”
This wave of automation and workforce consolidation has already begun: see Sora, the text-to-video ChatGPT engine, and Tyler Perry announcing he was shelving $800 million expansion plans for Tyler Perry Studios, citing “thousands of jobs being lost.”
Human defenses against AI
As AI takes over jobs, it is expected that the number of jobs for nurses and medical professionals will increase.
Getty
How do you think about the impact of AI on your career? With almost every industry focused on reducing costs and integrating AI into daily operations, how are you positioning yourself for the future? One way is to look at areas and opportunities where job growth is expected in the coming wave of AI.
According to the US Career Institute, the four areas least likely to be automated are:
Healthcare: nurses, doctors, therapists, counselors Education: teachers, instructors, school administrators Creative: musicians, artists, authors, journalists Personal services: hairdressers, beauticians, personal trainers, coaches
Of these four fields, nursing is the most in-demand occupation in healthcare, with a projected growth rate of 45% by 2031. In both cases, the common thread is that they are industries with human benefits that protect you from the risk of losing your job to AI.
Positioning the enterprise with AI
Leading your business through technological innovation and revolution requires sharp, clever thinking. Here are three ways leaders can start to position and think about their companies with AI.
As a CEO or leader, be an expert or find an expert
There is no substitute for a CEO or leader knowing what AI is and what it can do. It’s important to know where AI is going and how to position your company to take advantage of it. The most important question to always ask is, “How can AI improve my company?” Driving a culture of innovation and thinking about the future is crucial.
It’s okay if this isn’t your forte – admit it if it’s not and make sure you have people you can rely on to help shape the company’s strategy.
Incorporating AI into strategic planning
AI can be integrated into many aspects of business, from customer service to data analytics. It can streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve decision-making processes. Companies that incorporate AI into their strategic planning will be better positioned to adapt to change and seize new opportunities.
Focus on ethical use of AI
As AI continues to evolve, it is important to consider the ethical implications of its use. Many industries are struggling to understand how to use and work with this technology. It will always be important for businesses to be open and transparent about their technology use. Consumers are getting smarter and better about their data. Starting with respecting user privacy will build trust with customers. Businesses that prioritize ethical AI use will stand out and build long-term loyalty.
The wave is coming – you have a choice
Ready for business and ready to surf, just wax your board and hit the waves.
Jeff Berting
As an avid surfer, I love the Jon Kabat-Zinn quote, “You can’t stop the wave, but you can learn to surf it.” Now that the AI wave is coming and getting bigger, it might be time to grab your board, get waxed, and ride the wave. If you don’t, you might get swept away and washed up on shore. Trust me, riding the wave is much more fun.
The choice is yours, choose wisely.
