Some of the world’s most prominent tech leaders like Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and the leader of the AI revolution, Sam Altman, have expressed differing opinions about AI’s impact on jobs. However, it might not be all that distressing, and in some cases, actually boosts the productivity of employees.
What Happened: Alorica, a customer-service company based in Irvine, California, has implemented an AI translation tool that allows representatives to communicate in 200 languages and 75 dialects, Associated Press reported on Monday. Despite fears that AI might lead to job cuts, Alorica is still hiring aggressively.
Alorica’s representatives in San Antonio were seen using the AI tool to handle customer calls efficiently. The tool enables a representative who speaks only Spanish to assist a Cantonese-speaking customer, eliminating the need to hire additional staff for language-specific roles.
Alorica’s experience suggests that AI may not be the job eliminator many fear. Instead, it could enhance productivity and create new job opportunities. The White House Council of Economic Advisers recently found “little evidence that AI will negatively impact overall employment,” noting that technology often boosts productivity and economic growth.
Alorica’s co-CEO, Mike Clifton, highlighted the efficiency gains, stating that AI tools have significantly reduced call handling times. The company is also using Real-time Voice Language Translation to further streamline customer interactions. Despite these advancements, Alorica continues to hire, particularly those adept with new technology.
Why It Matters: The integration of AI at Alorica aligns with broader industry trends and expert opinions on the role of artificial intelligence in the workforce. Microsoft Corp. CEO Satya Nadella has emphasized that AI should be viewed as a tool rather than a human-like entity, suggesting that its primary function is to augment human capabilities.
Meanwhile, Musk has pointed out that AI could eventually eliminate the need for human labor, though he envisions a benign scenario where it brings significant benefits.
On the other hand, OpenAI CEO Altman has described the future of AI as a “super-competent colleague” capable of managing complex tasks independently.
Moreover, Nvidia Corp. has been a pioneer in providing full-stack AI solutions, aiming to be a one-stop shop for data center clients. This trend indicates a growing acceptance and reliance on AI technologies across various sectors.
Gates recently dismissed concerns over AI’s energy consumption, arguing that the technology will eventually balance out its high electricity usage. This perspective contrasts with the skepticism expressed by Donald Trump, who highlighted the significant energy demands of AI during a conversation with Musk.
Meanwhile, Google CEO Sundar Pichai has acknowledged the societal disruptions caused by AI, labeling it as one of the most challenging issues to address. This sentiment is echoed by Mark Cuban, who has raised alarms about AI’s potential to influence the 2024 election season through algorithmic steering.
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This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Kaustubh Bagalkote
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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