Why ChatGPT won’t replace humans any time soon
AI powered chatbots have been generating a huge amount of interest since the launch of the popular ChatGPT in November 2022. There are dozens of articles going into what ChatGPT is and why it’s innovative. To summarise, it’s a user-friendly tool capable of providing human-like, detailed answers to questions using a deep learning artificial intelligence model and a massive amount of data.
There is no doubt that this is revolutionary technology with a lot of useful applications. As it develops it is likely to be used by many businesses across industries to streamline many of the more automated aspects of daily work. It will change the shape of some roles and likely shift the priorities of others. There is so much potential and it feels like we are only just scratching the surface. In saying that - ChatGPT and others like it are still robots.
They can’t replicate the full range of human capabilities, and they lack the ability to understand context and intent in the way that humans do. They also can’t make decisions, solve contextual problems, provide connection or empathise the way that humans can. This technology is also only as good as the data it pulls from, it’s never going to entirely replace human creativity. So don’t get out the pitchforks just yet, the robot revolution is still a long way off.
What we do know is that with more automation people are freed up to focus on other tasks. There is more capacity to focus on connection, creativity, and innovation. It also means that soft skills just got a lot more valuable.
We asked ChatGPT, what the most desirable soft skills for employers in the future would be based on its own limitations, this is what it came up with:
Creativity: ChatGPT is a powerful tool, but it can still be limited by the data it was trained on. Therefore, employees who can think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to problems will be highly valued.
Emotional intelligence: ChatGPT is not able to understand or respond to emotions in the same way that humans can. Therefore, employees who are able to understand and manage their own emotions, as well as those of others, will be in high demand.
Adaptability: The field of natural language processing is rapidly evolving and new techniques and tools are being developed all the time. Employees who are able to adapt to new technologies and methodologies will be highly sought after.
Communication: ChatGPT may generate human-like text but it's not capable of understanding the nuances of human communication. Therefore, employees who are able to effectively communicate with others, both verbally and in writing, will be highly valued.
Critical thinking: ChatGPT can generate text based on patterns it has learned from the data it was trained on but it lacks the ability to reason and make judgement. Therefore, employees who can think critically and make sound decisions will be in high demand
We agree with this list and we would like to add to it based on our own experience:
Leadership: The ability to inspire, motivate, and guide a team towards a common goal. Effective leadership can help to create a positive and productive work environment, and can also help to attract and retain top talent - which is always important but particularly relevant when you are preparing to scale.
Teamwork: The ability to work effectively with others and efficiently share ideas, skills, and resources to accomplish a task or project.
Problem-solving: The ability to identify, analyse and solve problems. Using creativity and experience to understand a challenge and develop effective solutions while identifying new opportunities and minimising risks.
Relationships: Being able to build relationships, grow your network, and maintain your online and offline reputation.
Continuous learning with a growth mindset: The understanding that skills and abilities can be developed with effort and the curiosity and resilience to do so.
Ethics, diversity, and cultural intelligence: Being able to relate to and work effectively with a range of people with diverse perspectives and backgrounds. As well as understanding the ethical implications of work and technology on people and the environment.
AI is going to affect businesses and roles across industries, embrace the opportunities it creates and prepare for change. Don't just focus on developing your technical skills though.
Whether you're a business owner or building your career, invest in your soft skills. These are essential for success in any role, and won't be replicated by machines anytime soon.
Sprout specialises in finding the right candidates for scaling business. We can help you identify candidates to lead your team and business forward with the soft skills necessary for success. Let’s talk today.
