One thought on “Opinion Time!”

  1. Should artificial intelligence be used in in the workplace?

    My initial response was to go with “it depends” and enumerate specific benefits and drawbacks. Rather than delve into details, I’ve decided to pull back and look at a broader picture.

    The first thing we need to ask ourselves is, “Just because we can; does it mean we should?”

    AI seems to have some benefits in finding and sorting information. However, it is fallible and the user needs to check and verify. This may actually lengthen the time needed to do a task. Depending on AI may also result in superficial understanding as people learn best when they are actually engaged with the material.

    Use of AI is associated with an increase in the use of energy and water. Are we willing to see our utility rates go up?

    But the most concerning part of AI for me is the surveillance piece. Used in the workplace, AI has the potential to analyze employee communication such as emails, Zoom calls, and Slack conversations. AI could enable the creation of detailed records of employee emotional states, stress patterns, and psychological vulnerabilities. And who has access to this? It could be your employer or the government.

    Are we ready to control AI or will it control us?

    I’m going with my grandma’s wisdom, “God gave you a brain; use it!”

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