In the latest HCI Webinar, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Jodi McPherson about the impact of AI on entry level work. Below is a summary of the main points from their conversation! Check out the full episode and let us know what you think!
Watch the episode here:
Quick Recap
Jonathan and Jodi discussed the impact of AI on entry-level work, particularly in the context of higher education, and the need for more paid, relevant work experience for students before they enter the workforce. They also discussed the challenges and opportunities of integrating student work into the workforce, the importance of remote work in freelance environments, and the potential of AI to augment entry-level roles. The conversation concluded with a discussion on the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI into entry-level work, particularly in data manipulation and user research.
Addressing AI's Impact on Entry-Level Work
Jonathan and Jodi discussed the impact of AI on entry-level work, particularly in the context of higher education. Jonathan, an HR professional and university professor, expressed concerns about job displacement due to automation and AI, but also noted that reskilling and upskilling would be necessary. He highlighted the need for more paid, relevant work experience for students before they enter the workforce. Jodi, CEO and co-founder of Work Simpler, a next-generation freelance platform, agreed and emphasized the importance of preparing students for the workforce, especially in the face of disruptive technologies. They both acknowledged the shift in the higher education landscape, with a growing number of non-traditional students. The conversation ended with a call for embedding more relevant work experience into the university timeframe to better prepare students for the workforce.
Integrating Student Work Into the Workforce
Jodi and Jonathan discussed the challenges and opportunities of integrating student work into the workforce. Jodi highlighted the need for short-term, paid work commitments that align with students' schedules and interests, and the importance of providing clear training and processes for students to excel in their tasks. They also discussed the potential of using automation tools to manage student work and the benefits of offering repeat opportunities for students. Jodi emphasized the need to reduce risks for both students and businesses, and the importance of providing students with verbiage and credentials to articulate their work experience. Jonathan agreed with Jodi's points, noting the challenges of platforms like Upwork for students starting out.
Remote Work Challenges and Management Strategies
Jonathan and Jodi discussed the importance of remote work in freelance environments, particularly in the post-Covid era. Jodi highlighted the risks associated with remote work, such as communication breakdowns and productivity issues, and emphasized the need for effective project management and check-ins to mitigate these risks. He also mentioned the challenges of managing remote workers who are new to work in general. Jodi suggested that Work Simple, a platform they use, can help educate and manage remote workers, providing visibility and automated check-ins to ensure projects are completed on time.
AI's Impact on Entry-Level Work and Jobs
Jonathan and Jodi discussed the impact of AI on new entry-level work, specifically the displacement of certain types of routinized, repetitive tasks. Jonathan emphasized the positive aspects of AI, such as reducing tedious work and creating new jobs and careers. However, he also acknowledged that AI could lead to job displacement for new college graduates who might not be able to find work in fields that involve repetitive tasks. Jodi agreed, viewing AI as an evolutionary force that will have a profound effect on society and work, but also noted that it would displace rather than replace tasks.
Leveraging AI for Entry-Level Roles and Training
Jodi and Jonathan discussed the potential of AI to augment entry-level roles and the importance of understanding how to leverage AI tools effectively. Jodi highlighted the need for human interaction in AI, emphasizing the importance of prompt engineering and cross-checking AI results. He also pointed out the outdated nature of job descriptions and the need for new skills, such as problem formulation, in an AI world. Jodi suggested that their organization could play a role in advancing conversational AI and training staff to use AI tools more effectively.
AI Integration in Entry-Level Work Challenges and Opportunities
Jonathan and Jodi discussed the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI into entry-level work, particularly in data manipulation and user research. They highlighted the importance of accuracy and efficiency in AI-driven tasks, and the need for businesses to understand the implications of AI on their operations. Jodi emphasized the potential of AI to enhance productivity, particularly in short-term talent acquisition, and the need for businesses to unpack the true meaning of AI for their operations. They also discussed the potential for AI to help businesses reach underrepresented students and improve job descriptions.
Listen to the webinar here:
