The robots are coming ...but here's how to make AI work for you

Eight out of 10 jobs could be affected by AI. However, CHRIS STOKEL-WALKER discovers the future might be rather rosy

- CHRIS STOKEL-WALKER

The Prime Minister has unveiled the country’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, attempting to position the UK as the natural home for big tech companies to develop their cutting-edge AI technologies. Sir Keir Starmer said, “It is our responsibility to harness it and make it work for working people. And it is our responsibility to make sure Britain maintains its position as a world leader in AI.”

But what will full-bore adoption of AI mean for our working lives in the years to come? OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, announced in October it was hiring an economist to consider the impact its tools could have. Dr Ronnie Chatterji said he would be developing “research that helps inform how we transition to an AI-driven economy”. And prior research by the company suggests it believes up to 80 per cent of all jobs could be affected. While it seems clear that some jobs — on tills, or in call centres — will inevitably be hit by AI, affected doesn’t always mean replaced, the experts are keen to point out. “AI won’t suddenly mean that there are less jobs available, it will simply change what job roles will entail,” says Kiran Ramasamy, managing consultant in data science and AI at Harnham Group.

A promised robotic land