AI and Being Excited by the Unexciting
Artificial intelligence means to make our lives easier, so why does it seem so boring?
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as an obliterator of paradigms, transforming industries and societies in profound ways. One of its most impactful applications is the automation of mundane and repetitive tasks that were once the domain of human effort. This shift has sparked debates about the future of work and the role of AI in our lives. The things that AI promises to take off our respective and figurative plates are, by and large, not very exciting. So why are some folks all excited about it? I’m one of them, but my cheery demonstrations of AI use cases are occasionally met with indifference. I think it’s because the use cases tend to be for the mundane.
Unleashing Innovation through Automation
Automation has long been at the core of human progress, and its frequently been easiest to break down repetitive tasks into smaller and more specific repetitive tasks. From the invention of the wheel to the assembly line to robotic manufacturing, the drive to automate repetitive tasks has consistently led to advancement. Sure, it didn’t always thrill the fellow who was previously performing that task, but the world wouldn’t be as well off as it is without those advancements. AI takes this principle its natural evolution by enabling machines to perform more complex tasks with efficiency, accuracy, and consistency. By offloading monotonous tasks to AI systems, humans are liberated to focus on tasks that require creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.
Relieving the Burden of Repetition
Humans are inherently limited by factors such as fatigue, boredom, and errors that naturally occur when performing repetitive tasks. And even the high-performers with seemingly interesting jobs and high barriers to entry, like doctors, are not immune to the pressures of repetitive tasks. Almost a third of American radiologists have been sued for missed diagnoses. AI, on the other hand, is seemingly impervious to these limitations (it has others). It doesn't tire, lose focus, or make mistakes due to sheer repetition (it makes mistakes, with diminishing frequency, for other reasons). By handing over routine tasks to AI, organizations can ensure that operations run smoothly, reducing the risk of errors and boosting overall quality as well as freeing up the bandwidth of human employees to do better jobs faster.
Empowering Human Potential
The real potential of AI lies not in replacing humans, but in augmenting their abilities. With AI handling mundane tasks, individuals can channel their energy towards tasks that require cognitive skills unique to humans. It’s the biggest advancement in the handling of information since the advent of search engines or paragraphs. This can include complex problem-solving, strategic decision-making, and creative ideation. AI serves as a complementary tool, enhancing human capabilities rather than replacing them. You won’t lose your job to an AI bot, but you might lose your job to someone who knows how to use one.
Solving the Bandwidth Problem
Attention and time are finite resources. The digital age has ushered in an era of data explosion, leading to what I’ve been calling the "bandwidth problem." Humans are simply not equipped to process and analyze vast amounts of data within reasonable timeframes. AI, with its capacity for lightning-fast data processing, allows organizations to sift through data mountains, extracting and helping to articulate valuable insights and driving informed (read: evidence-based) decision-making.
Elevating Job Satisfaction and Performance
The prevalence of mind-numbing tasks in the workplace can lead to reduced job satisfaction and employee burnout. When employees are tasked with activities that require little cognitive effort, it’s easy to miss obvious. The “inattentional blindness” can have people so focused on looking for specific things that they will miss unexpected data is literally right before them. The image of a man in a gorilla suit was superimposed on images reviewed by radiologists for signs of cancer. 83% of them missed the fellow in the gorilla suit. By leveraging AI for automation, people can redirect their efforts towards projects that align with their expertise and passions, fostering a more fulfilling and demonstrably productive work environment.
Pioneering New Avenues of Creativity
Some skeptics worry that the rise of AI will lead to job losses. And skeptics get way more airtime than optimists. If you say the world has been getting better, you’ll be called naïve. If you say the world will continue to get better, you’ll be considered naïve and foolish. But if you stand and cry that the world is ending, you may expect job offers or a microphone. However, history has shown that technological advancements create new opportunities and avenues for growth and has done so for literally thousands of years. Child mortality, famine, and poverty are at all-time lows. Lifespan is at an all-time high. The world is actually better than it used to be. As AI takes over repetitive tasks, it paves the way for the emergence of new roles and industries that harness AI's capabilities. We adapt, as we always have, and find a way to thrive, using new tools to do so.
Nurturing Potential
Artificial intelligence's ability to automate mundane and repetitive tasks signifies a transformative shift in the way we work and live. It’s just not, on the surface, very exciting. By allowing AI to handle tasks that don't require the uniquely human touch and enhance those that do, we're empowering ourselves to focus on higher-order thinking, creativity, and innovation. This collaborative partnership between humans and AI has the potential to unlock unprecedented levels of productivity, job satisfaction, and economic growth. As we embrace the benefits of AI-powered automation, we pave the way for a future where human potential flourishes like never before.