In Only Humans Need Apply, the authors identify five ways that people can adapt to automation and intelligent machines. They call it ‘stepping’. I have added in parentheses the main attributes I think are needed for each option.
- Step-up: directing the machine-augmented world (creativity)
- Step-in: using machines to augment work (deep thinking)
- Step-aside: doing human work that machines are not suited for (empathy)
- Step narrowly: specializing narrowly in a field too small for augmentation (passion)
- Step forward: developing new augmentation systems (curiosity)
There is a lot of talk and media coverage about stepping-up, stepping-in, and stepping-forward. I have previously discussed stepping-in and concluded that anyone affected by these technologies [AI, GPT, LLM] needs to understand their basic functions and their underlying models. These tools will be thrust into our workplaces very soon. So let’s step-in to working with machine learning but with a clear understanding of who needs to be in charge — humans. I stand by this position today.