Artificial Intelligence vs Human Performance. Is it all over for us?

Time to save ourselves?

I’m a millennial, and proud of it. When Simon Sinek delivered his famous ‘millennials’ interview conducted by Tom Bilyeu, I thought he was talking directly to me, as I ploughed through an extra-large bag of Doritos, whilst hunting for likes on social media – Dopamine junkie!

Like my peers, I have grown up surrounded by tech, witnessing the development from plastic floppy disks and bulky PC’s, to clouds and apples!!! And now here we are, fully embedded within the digital age, on the brink of the Artificial intelligence epidemic. So, what does this mean for…well us…the human being.

Elon Musk recently said, in his interview with Jack Ma, “The biggest mistake I see artificial intelligence researchers making is assuming that they’re intelligent.” “Yeah, they’re not, compared to AI. And so, a lot of them cannot imagine something smarter than themselves.” Musk said future AI agents will be “vastly smarter” than humans. “So, what do you do with a situation like that?” he asked. “I’m not sure. I hope they’re nice.”

Hope they are nice??? Have we as the most advanced species on earth, just created our own enemy? Are things not trickier enough – war, disasters, sexuality, religion…Brexit? Now let’s go and throw AI into the mix!

I don’t know if I’m talking completely from an uneducated standpoint, but can’t someone just stop AI – control, alt, delete ring a bell? When innovators like Musk say, that AI will one day take over, can we not just get a thin screwdriver, or a hair clip, and push it deep inside the reset hole, or maybe just unplug it at the mains? Why does it have to take over?

I in no way have any objections towards AI, neither do I support it. In fact, I don’t really understand it. What I do know, is that if I watch a programme on Netflix, I will have an abundance of similar programmes thrown at me the next time I log in.

‘Ah, Netflix loves me, and has made me feel special! I feel that it knows me.’

Whatever your opinion of AI, the truth is, it is coming, and in full force. According to blippar.com, in 2029 (JUST ten years from now) AI will own the same intelligence as the smartest adult humans – Gulp! Within the next decade, it is predicted that AI will replace 16% of ALL jobs globally, and is even thought to end upwards of 85% of customer service-related jobs – Gulp, Gulp!!

‘It was at this point, the human race realised it had F#@ked up!’

Back down in reality, whether you agree or disagree with this new and arising tech species, AI, you have to consider the impact of even its presence, and what it is about to have on the current and next working generations. Will it eradicate existing jobs, or create new ones? Will it help us to all own a more satisfying and empowering career? Or is it going to leave us wondering the streets in the aftermath of a nuclear apocalypse, fighting for scraps like characters from Mad Max, or desperately trying to avoid menacing laser firing machines that claim, ‘they will be back’ in a deep and thick Austrian accent?

Currently, AI is doing an incredible job of making life easier, detecting security intrusions, resolving user’s tech issues, automating project and production management tools. It is also heavily used within Marketing, Financing, and Customer services, so currently 'Alexa' is a real helping hand…I think!

Whatever the state of the future, we must concentrate on the now. The people of your business are fundamentally, the most important thing you have currently. Whether you are a tech firm, shop, bank or in construction, you still need the people; your ground troops. AI is already by our sides, but currently as an aide. Every business owns AI technology in some way or another. But more importantly, we have more reactive, willing, intelligent and dedicated people right now within our workforces, than ever.

So, what is your human performance game plan for the next decade? If the development of AI is moving so fast, how do you think your people feel, knowing they will soon be replaced? How does this focus your training strategies, and even more importantly, how do you think their morale and output will be affected?

Currently, I spend my working days consulting for and providing training solutions for a diverse number of clients. Heavyweight blue chips such as HSBC, AUDI and VW, to Professional sports teams like Manchester United and Wasps Rugby, as well as small and medium sized businesses. Antony – my business partner – our team, and I work tirelessly to encourage and train organisations to evolve, with swiftly shifting times. We empower leaders and teams to enhance what they already have. But there is an undoubtable fear amongst all, that their jobs will soon be swallowed up by skull crushing machines.

Sadly, I, like most, don’t have the answers to many of the questions. It seems like humanity looks a bit like the shrugging shoulders emoji; a little clueless to what lays ahead. For some it is exciting, and others truly daunting. However, we still have the NOW, and in truth, we are the masters of out own destiny. AI depends on us, just as much as we now depend on AI. Let’s embrace it, but not forget the people who are still here, right now, ready to work as hard as they can for your business.

An effective organisation is fuelled by positive leadership, cohesive teams, and most importantly, morale! Humans created AI, so I’m sure we are more than capable of competing with it.

What's next on your cards for human performance at work. Times are swiftly evolving, are you?

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