Is AI out to get your job?
Let’s talk about ChatGPT. Or rather, let’s allow ChatGPT to do the talking, because it turns out, it’s pretty good at it.
If you’re one of the many intrigued people who have recently given OpenAI’s artificial intelligence chatbot a whirl, then you’ll know where we’re coming from. Whether you asked it to rewrite your CV, pen a bedtime story for the kids, or finish a piece of work for you, the chances are it surprised you with the calibre of its response.
But alongside the whimsical, there is also a serious side to all this that’s leading people to ask fundamental questions about the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence. After all, if AI is starting to do the things that we assumed we would always be better at - writing, communication, creativity - are we in danger of being replaced? Yesterday it was manufacturing, tomorrow it could be any number of creative or customer service professions; or at least, that’s the fear.
So what is the right reaction to the growth of technologies like ChatGPT? Excitement or alarm? As an AI solution ourselves, it won’t surprise you to know that we’d ascribe to the former, and for one simple reason: time.
Let’s be clear, AI will replace certain functions. There are no two ways about it. However, there is a big difference between replacing functions within jobs and replacing jobs themselves. Far from being a cause for concern, the fact that AI can pick up aspects of particular jobs should actually be music to our ears.
Let’s step back for a moment. At a very broad level, what is AI particularly good at? Automating repetitive, mind-numbing, or time-consuming tasks. That’s useful.
We recently came across an example of an estate agent using ChatGPT to write multiple property listings. Rather than spending hours compiling the ten listings himself, this particular agent was able to churn out all ten in minutes. The time saved then freed him up to add some polish to the listings, and hit the phone in search of potential buyers much sooner than he otherwise would have.
Closer to home, we know the unique value of AI in elevating customer experience and operational efficiency within real estate. Our own digital assistant can intelligently handle customer queries instantly. That means real estate owners and managers can deliver amazing customer service 24/7, save time answering simple, repetitive queries, and dedicate themselves to those that require more attention. Our AI management platform can streamline operations and workflows by enabling requests to be captured, prioritised, assigned and progressed through to completion, autonomously - again helping facilities managers focus on what is most pressing.
Let’s go back to what that really means for the owners and operators of real estate: time. Time saved on manual repetitive tasks. Time freed up to dedicate to value-add initiatives, interpersonal engagement, long-term strategy and new ideas. Time to focus on the things that humans truly excel at. Far from threatening our jobs, AI is here to help us do them even better.
Still doubt that AI is here to serve rather than replace? Why not ask ChatGPT itself…
[Extract from real chat]
Q: Will ChatGPT replace jobs?
A: As an AI language model, my purpose is not to replace jobs, but rather to assist and augment human capabilities. While AI and automation have the potential to change the way we work, they also create new opportunities for human workers. AI can help to automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks, allowing workers to focus on higher-level tasks that require human intelligence, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
