We and AI: how we deal with the new technology

When we think of AI, we usually first think of facial recognition or translation and text processing services such as ChatGPT and Deepl. But artificial intelligence can do more: the answers spit out by the search engine. The personalised advertising in our social media feeds. Chat bots that answer our questions. There's an intelligent machine behind it all.

And this is just the beginning: the first food companies such as Emmi and Vivi Kola are already using AI for food production. Various pilot projects for personnel selection using AI are in operation. And in the medical sector, AI is helping with diagnosis and data processing.

Equal opportunities are needed 

AI is changing our world. What we currently need to address is: how accessible is the technology, or how can it be made more accessible? The prerequisite for fair access to AI is the internet and technology, something that even in 2024 is still not a matter of course for everyone in the world. This includes older people, who are less digitally savvy per se, but above all poorer people in developed nations and almost all people in developing countries, who have fewer digital resources. We need to ensure equal opportunities so that there are no gaps in knowledge. All people, regardless of their background and origin, must be able to use AI.

And regardless of their background and origin, they must also be represented in AI. Because we also need to address this: Who «feeds» the intelligent systems? What political and social attitudes are behind them? We have often seen that artificial intelligence is biased and can also be wrong. Care must therefore be taken at the programming stage to ensure that AI is inclusive.

Positions on AI differ: technology enthusiasts see the positives. Embracing artificial intelligence offers numerous benefits, including increased efficiency, automation of routine tasks, improved decision-making and the creation of new opportunities for innovation. By embracing the technology and integrating it into everyday working life, you can capitalise on these benefits and remain competitive.

But the topic is polarising and unsettling. Will machines become smarter than us? Will machines dominate our lives? Can we trust AI? Many people are asking themselves these and other questions. And the most central one: Will AI take my job?  

AI must be seen and understood as the technological innovation that it is. It is on a par with the printing press and the industrial revolution. History shows: With every technical innovation there are social changes. It is understandable that these are unsettling.

History also shows that new professions and forms of work emerge. This will also be the case with AI. There will be professions that we cannot yet imagine. Occupational psychologist Nicole Kopp has drawn up future forecasts for the world of work for Angestellte Schweiz and says the following about the world of work in 10 years' time: «I don't expect mass unemployment, but work will change significantly. The division of labour between man and machine will be different: Routine activities will have disappeared from jobs. Computers will be used wherever large amounts of data are analysed.» 

This statement is supported by an analysis by McKinsey. It estimates that up to 400 million jobs are at risk worldwide. It's a fact: AI will change the world of work and there will be job losses. For many employees, the threat of job losses is real, especially for workers in highly automated and low-wage occupations.

AI must therefore be seen as an opportunity, not a threat. It is wrong not to take AI seriously and not to deal with it.

Making employees fit for AI

Stephan Bachmann is one of the AI pioneers in German-speaking countries and is convinced of the potential of AI. He says: "AI is a game changer as it enables us to solve complex problems faster and more effectively than ever before. It has the potential to optimise workflows, make predictive maintenance in production facilities more predictable and improve decisions through data-driven insights. There are use cases for AI in every professional field that will benefit both the company and its employees." He also emphasises the importance of employees engaging with AI rather than closing their eyes to it.

This is also the position of Angestellte Schweiz. «It's generally important to keep your finger on the pulse and to keep learning,» says Managing Director Stefan Studer. «When it comes to AI, it's crucial that employees don't miss the boat and familiarise themselves with AI and the possible applications in their profession.» If employers need new skills, they have two options: They can send their employees on further training courses, or they can look for the required knowledge on the labour market.

«As representatives of employees, we definitely prefer the first version. But we keep realising that companies prefer new hires,» says Stefan Studer. «We therefore advise our members not to rely on the employer to approach them, but to take matters into their own hands.» 

Rejecting artificial intelligence could lead to employees being left behind and feeling professionally disadvantaged. It is therefore advisable to utilise the opportunities offered by AI instead of rejecting them. One way to prevent this feeling of powerlessness, which can arise with the rapid development of AI: Invest in further training. With appropriate re-skilling and up-skilling in AI, employees can open up new prospects for the future. Employees Switzerland therefore offers its members various courses on the topic.