The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT and Google Bard has sparked a debate among tech leaders about the potential threats they pose, particularly in terms of job losses. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently addressed this issue in an interview with CNBC, acknowledging that whenever a new technology emerges, it inevitably displaces certain jobs.
Nadella highlighted the concept of “real displacement” that can occur in the job market as a result of new technologies. However, he also emphasized that AI has the ability to create new job opportunities. He stated, “I mean, there can be a billion developers. In fact, the world needs a billion developers. So, the idea that this is actually a democratizing tool to make access to new technology and knowledge easier, simplifying the learning curve.”
Nadella explained that despite advancements in AI, human involvement is still necessary to read, edit, and approve content. He believes that AI will enhance existing jobs and contribute to the creation of new ones. He even suggested that employee salaries could potentially increase as a result of the company’s AI initiatives.
However, concerns about the potential risks posed by AI have been raised by numerous tech luminaries, including Elon Musk and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. In an open letter, they called for a six-month pause on the training of AI systems that surpass the capabilities of OpenAI’s GPT-4. These individuals believe that AI could pose profound risks to society and humanity. It is worth noting that Microsoft has made a significant investment in OpenAI, integrating its technology into its search engine, Bing.
Discussing the rapid development of AI, Nadella expressed his belief that progress is moving in the right direction. He emphasized the importance of humans being involved in the loop rather than being completely replaced by AI. This, he stated, is a design choice that Microsoft has made.
Bill Gates also sees the potential benefits of AI in the field of education, a sentiment shared by Nadella. During the interview, Nadella discussed the eventual possibility of students having access to “AI tutors” that could alleviate their fears and facilitate the learning process. He further emphasized that critical thinking would remain an essential human skill, but there is an opportunity to leverage new tools.
In the same interview, Nadella also dismissed the claims of Elon Musk that OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is controlled by Microsoft. He said that the claims are factually incorrect.
Via: Business Today