Music producer Robbie Hiser is optimistic about the future of creatives, despite his role in teaching artificial intelligence (AI) some industry tricks. Hiser has been involved with Mercor, a firm dedicated to enhancing AI models like ChatGPT across diverse domains, from finance to literature. Mercor has recruited over 100,000 freelancers from varied sectors to share their knowledge with AI.
Hiser and fellow trainers remain unconvinced that they are making themselves obsolete. He asserts that creative tasks, like songwriting, need a human element. ‘AI lacks life experience,’ he explains. ‘AI has never felt heartbreak.’
Despite this confidence, according to Pew Research, nearly 75% of Americans worry that AI might replace jobs. A McKinsey Global Institute report indicates AI could potentially shift 11 million U.S. workers into different careers by 2035.
Mercor CEO Brendan Foody believes AI represents a logical evolution. He sees AI as freeing workers from mundane tasks, allowing them to engage in more rewarding activities. AI’s integration is evident nationwide, like in Columbus, Ohio. Law firm Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease collaborated with Stanford’s Liftlab to create AI personas infused with senior attorneys’ expertise. Lawyer Kim Herlihy notes that AI offers supportive insights but emphasizes it won’t replace human interactions in legal proceedings. She states, ‘You consult your lawyer for personal guidance.’
AI training ranks fourth among the fastest-growing job sectors on LinkedIn. Mercor’s gig economy for AI trainers offers earnings between $20 to $200 per hour. Foody regards this as a future-oriented career.
Conversely, Nobel Prize-winning economist Daron Acemoglu warns against hasty automation, predicting workforce displacement. He highlights the rapid spread of AI across sectors, unlike the slower-paced Industrial Revolution.
Acemoglu stresses that while AI might produce new employment opportunities, these roles are minor compared to the numbers facing replacement. He asserts, ‘Automation’s essence is to reduce human roles.’
Research from Stanford suggests young professionals in AI-vulnerable fields like software are experiencing decreased job prospects. U.S. Census data indicates lower employment and wages for recent graduates in AI-affected disciplines.
Clara Shih, former tech leader at Salesforce and Meta, observes a downsizing in required workforce numbers due to AI efficiency. Concerned about job futures, she launched a nonprofit to support young workers adapting to the evolving economy. Shih points out that AI excels in tasks typically assigned to novices, impacting more than just employment.
Shih, having witnessed the effects of globalization on factory work, recognizes parallel challenges AI poses for corporate environments. Shih advocates for transparent dialogues around AI risks and benefits.
Acemoglu calls for proactive engagement, not resistance, to AI advancements. Strategies could include designing AI that complements, rather than replaces, human jobs, or enacting tax policies that favor hiring individuals. He urges timely discussions given the uncertain yet influenceable future.