AI can be Anything but
HUMAN
Story by Maran Shales
“We will all be OK together because we’re in it together, as long as we learn how, and remember to, stay human.” – Jeff Johnson
“Be weird!” This is what Jeff Johnson, a managing director at Deloitte Consulting, said about ensuring you will always have a job that artificial intelligence will never be able to take over. Johnson spoke about AI at a student-alumni event at Baylor University and highlighted the advantages and disadvantages AI brings to the modern world.
The fear of losing your job to computer programs is a reality for many college students as AI emerges on the scene. But when considering the broader picture, if you approach your career with a lively perspective, the chances of AI taking your job from you are next to none, Johnson said.
AI raises concerns about stability for some of the most creative jobs, such as writers, graphic designers and illustrators. However, AI itself may not be the danger people view it as.
Richard Sneed, Baylor philosophy professor, says the whole purpose of artificial intelligence is to mimic the things that, as of right now, only humans can do.
“AI is not coming for your job. It is coming for part of your job,” Johnson said. “No job is a simple thing. It is a conglomeration of different tasks, and some of those are going to be done through AI. You’re not going to get beat by AI. You’re going to get beat by a competitor who is using AI better than you are.”
Dr. Richard Sneed, a professor in Baylor’s philosophy department, explained the different intentions behind what AI was designed to accomplish.
“The general notion and goal of AI ultimately is to be able to mimic human consciousness, and therefore can complete tasks that only humans are currently able to do,” said Sneed.
Another way to overcome AI and its capabilities is to stay human. Johnson says that it has never been more important in society to pay attention to the humanities and things unique to human nature. Authenticity will be highly sought after, and there may even be a premium version of what AI produces marketed as “more authentic.” So, being human is what will give you the upper hand against AI in the work world.
Johnson also gave a list of advice he would say to his younger self entering the world today.
Jeff Johnson, Baylor alum and managing director at Deloitte Consulting, speaks at a Baylor university alumni event regarding the future of the workforce with the addition of artificial intelligence.
With AI continuing to advance at a rapid pace, it is evidently here to stay. According to the International Monetary Fund, AI will impact roughly half of the existing industries. So how can you make the most of AI? Johnson said learn how to use it as a tool.
Dr. Ezra Choe, a theology and philosophy librarian at Baylor, says he has reservations but does use AI as a tool. Chat GPT is known to hallucinate. This is when it will provide an answer as accurate, but when looked into, the answer is partially false or complete nonsense. Choe said using AI and Chat GPT is a “hit or miss.” For students, he said to stick to the official material.
“Sometimes the summaries are accurate, but I would definitely recommend doing the reading.”
Although AI presents challenges, Johnson said it also offers numerous opportunities, and by embracing one’s humanity, nurturing unique traits, and using AI as a tool rather than fearing it as a threat, people can thrive in a world where technology continues to evolve.
“The world we’re entering is more and more unpredictable. That’s OK,” Johnson said. “We will all be OK together because we’re in it together, as long as we learn how, and remember to, stay human.”
Ezra Choe, librarian for Baylor’s philosopy and theology departments, said that while AI is a helpful tool, it has a tendency to make up information and loses some its reliability as a result.
