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AI agents, which are supposed to make decisions that are usually made by humans, have become the latest buzzword of the generative AI story that began with the release of ChatGPT in 2022.

An AI conference in Las Vegas prominently featured a sign stating, ‘Stop Hiring Humans’, highlighting the growing concern about artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on the job market. Participants expressed unease as they navigated the implications of AI models and their capabilities in the workforce.

Fahad Alam, a representative from Artisan, a San Francisco startup, shared, ‘We’re not worried about tiptoeing around. We’re sparking the conversation.’ The company aims to promote AI agents, virtual sales representatives capable of identifying potential customers, contacting them, composing emails, and scheduling appointments.

A recent offering from Artisan illustrates the cost-effectiveness of AI; their virtual avatar, Ava, is reported to cost 96 percent less than a human performing similar tasks, emphasizing the financial advantages businesses may seek.

The trend toward AI-driven solutions has caused varied responses within the industry. Josh Constine from SignalFire remarked, ‘I don’t fundamentally think it’s about displacing employees as much as better leveraging them for the things only humans can do.’

However, the competition raises fears; Goldman Sachs estimates that AI could eliminate up to 300 million jobs globally due to automation. A Metrigy report from 2024 indicated that 89 percent of firms surveyed had reduced their customer service staff owing to generative AI advancements.

Conversely, a World Economic Forum study revealed that 70 percent of major companies intend to hire workers possessing AI-related skills in the near future. Joe Murphy from D-iD commented, ‘It’s natural evolution. Like the car’s invention, AI will create a new sector, leading to job creation and loss simultaneously.’

Data from the US Department of Labor supports this evolutionary perspective, showing a decrease in secretarial and administrative assistant jobs from 4.1 million in 1992 to 3.4 million in 2023. In contrast, computer science positions have more than doubled during the same period.

Amidst these shifts, some industry leaders caution against being transparent about AI technology. Tomasz Tunguz of Theory Ventures advised, ‘You’re selling software that replaces a significant part of their team. You can’t sell that overtly.’ Alam echoed similar sentiments, noting that some clients prefer discretion in their AI usage.

Despite the ongoing uncertainty regarding the effects of AI on employment, experts foresee significant upheaval in workplaces, particularly for programmers and call center operators. Yet Mark Hass, a marketing professor at Arizona State University, cautions against overly optimistic narratives that might overlook potential pitfalls.

Paloma Ochi of Decagon, a marketing AI startup, countered that many clients are driven by revenue growth rather than seeking efficiency. ‘When the business grows, that’s good for everyone. There are going to be more jobs for humans within that business,’ she asserted.

With the evolution of AI technology, concerns regarding artist rights have also emerged in the wake of generative AI advancements. As OpenAI’s image generator gained popularity, artistic communities raised alarms about the implications of AI on their creative output. Joanne Jang of OpenAI emphasized the importance of allowing more freedom in creation, stating, ‘AI lab employees should not be the arbiters of what people should and shouldn’t be allowed to create.’

As the digital landscape evolves, clarifying copyright laws and protecting artist rights will be crucial for fostering a sustainable creative ecosystem amidst the AI revolution.

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