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Few topics inspire apocalyptic ruminations like artificial intelligence (AI). From doomsday articles to big-budget movies, AI seems to inspire both awe and fear in equal measure.

But what is AI exactly? And are there ways to use it ethically and effectively? Here, we explore this trend within the workplace context.

What is artificial intelligence?

AI in the workplace

A found that over 80% of participating C-suite executives believed leveraging AI is crucial for the growth of their organizations. In fact, three of four claimed going out of business would be a real risk if their organization did not incorporate and scale AI into their processes.��

A proliferation of AI can already be seen in grocery stores with self-checkout registers, in factories that use self-driving forklifts and machines, and in distribution centers where robots stock shelves.

Given that AI in the workplace will likely increase, executives and their employees are tasked with creating policies for using AI effectively and ethically. Many already have: A shows that 91% of interviewed business leaders have implemented an enterprisewide AI strategy.

Laci Baker, a��career coach��at ��ɫ��Ƶ, has spent countless hours working with professionals across myriad industries to help them make informed decisions on how to use AI ethically and effectively in their careers.

Embracing AI

Will AI replace people?

It seems just about anytime new technologies enter the workplace, employees are wary of the implications. After all, if AI can do the same tasks humans do but with greater accuracy and efficiency, wouldn’t that nullify human workers?

According to Baker, it doesn’t typically work out that way. “People have been worried about technology taking their jobs since the ’70s,” she says. “In truth, technology will often change the nature of our work and may even remove processes from our day-to-day. But if anything, it allows professionals to take on more robust projects.”

Baker says technology often removes the menial aspect from a person’s responsibility and replaces it with more technical work, usually in the form of managing the technology and reporting on its use.��

Still, AI technology may shift job demand in certain sectors. “Copywriters, technical writers and content generators may be in less demand in the future, but organizations will be expected to produce the same if not more content,” Baker predicts.

Thus, Baker encourages those entering the workforce to learn a variety of skill sets. “The average career these days contains four to five significant shifts in role. People no longer do the same role for the same company for decades on end,” she says.

Instead, it’s become important to obtain a broad education that gives you various hard and soft skills��and exposes you to different technologies. While employers may not require proficiency in using them, Baker suggests job applicants become familiar with these emerging technologies.

Take coding, for instance. According to Baker, “A few decades ago, only��software developers and IT specialists��were expected to know coding languages. Now, many employers expect even their new hires to be familiar with code.”��

The nature of work in any industry will likely continue to evolve given the speed at which AI technologies are being implemented. The best course of action is to understand how these technologies can improve our work processes and how an organization’s policies and protocols can ensure their ethical use.