Australia could fall behind if we don’t embrace AI

The rise of ChatGPT has been filled with confusion and fear. Wouldn’t a better approach be to use this tech to our advantage?

ChatGPT has grown a staggering 4,419 per cent as the top tech skill globally, according to Udemy. However, Australia is one country that has failed to embrace ChatGPT as a skill.

Across the nation, people are constantly landing in hot water for using the system, and it doesn’t even make up the top five consumed tech skills. Doctors have been banned from using it, public schools have said no more, and various workplaces across the country have done the same.

This could become an issue as the “AI arms race” rages and some of the world’s biggest companies pour billions of dollars into the generative artificial intelligence (AI). Microsoft’s chief executive Satya Nadella said on 7 February: “A race starts today. We’re going to move, and move fast.”

If Australia doesn’t show the same attention to these technologies, we run the risk of lagging behind. As it stands, China, the US, and the European Union all stand a chance of coming out on top as the dominant force in AI. The next few years have the potential to shape the next hundred.

The Australian government and organisations in the country need to realise the opportunities AI poses if they’re to stay relevant in the future workforce.

This may be on the horizon as the government has launched an inquiry into the use of generative AI in education.

Lisa Chesters, chair of the committee on employment, education and training, commented: “Artificial technologies are increasingly available in education settings, presenting both opportunities and challenges. This inquiry will examine the ways in which these technologies may impact education outcomes for students in the Australian education system.”

“We will have a particular focus on the emergence of generative AI technologies, and the benefits and the risks they may hold for the Australian education system, now and into the future.”

It’s no secret that AI is transforming how businesses function. Forbes listed some areas of the business that AI has shifted:

• Automated operations
• Informed decision making
• Enhanced productivity
• Recruitment and talent sourcing
• Adopting a customer-centric approach

“ChatGPT and generative AI are truly revolutionising the way the world will work in the future as we’re just starting to uncover its use cases — in research, content creation, branding, marketing, productivity, e-commerce, and so much more,” said Diego Davila, Udemy instructor, entrepreneur and social media innovator.

“Having a comprehensive understanding of ChatGPT and other emerging AI technologies will be imperative to quickly pivot in today’s era of rapid digital transformation. Whether you’re a business owner, engineer, marketer, content creator, or learner, start by learning how AI prompt engineering tools can be leveraged in your role, as well as how (and when) to get the best responses from it.”

With such a massive impact on operations, it’s understandable for people to be sceptical of the future. Embracing this tech may be hard for some, but in order to progress, it needs to be done.

To assist, Zapier listed four ways to make AI less of a worry for employees:

1. Broadcast AI far and wide.
2. Remind people that AI is an underling, not an overlord.
3. Incorporate it into existing work.
4. Frame AI as a draft-maker, not a decision-maker.

Jack Campbell

Jack is the editor at HR Leader.