I wanted to share two of Carol Roth’s recent LinkedIn posts regarding AI. We are all trying to figure out how this technology is going to impact business, and how to use it effectively and for the right functions.
Everywhere I look I read that AI will be, or is already, taking over entry-level, white-collar jobs. These newer graduates or workers early in their career count on certain types of roles to start them on their career path. Becoming a lawyer at a big firm is one example. I liked Carol’s thinking on this. I agree that while we will see firms try to save money and time by using AI, they also will need take a longer view and consider the experienced professionals they will need going forward.
If young professionals don’t get the experience they need, there will be nobody to take over the more senior roles. Basically, the pendulum will swing too far in one direction, and then adjustments will need to be made.
The other point Carol made is is something I am still thinking about. It is true that consultants are often hired to be the fall guys. Consultants are brought in to tell the client their pet project is a money pit and they should cancel it. Nobody in the company wants to tell the CEO or other executive that their baby is ugly so they hire consultants to do that.
Or, a new CEO may need some bad news delivered to the board or the family who owns the business, so they bring in consultants to do their dirty work. If the message isn’t well received, the CEO will still have their job, can blame the consultants, and then can try something else.
But AI is wrong some percentage of the time. Maybe it also will get its share of the blame. Time will tell.
Photo by Loic Leray on Unsplash
