HCI Webinar Recap: What AI Means for the Labor Market, with Mark Herschberg

In the latest HCI Webinar, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Mark Herschberg about what AI means for the labor market. See a summary of the conversation below. Check out the full episode and let us know what you think!

Watch the episode here:

Quick Recap

Jonathan and Mark discussed the impact of AI on the job market, exploring its effects on individual roles, team management, and organizational staffing. They examined the potential for job creation and destruction due to technological advancements, emphasizing the need for professional development and adaptation in the face of change. The conversation concluded with a discussion on the risks of over-reliance on AI tools and the importance of maintaining human expertise, followed by information on how to connect with Mark and access his resources.

Leadership Challenges in Change Management

Jonathan and Mark discussed the practicality of a podcast topic, focusing on its impact on both leaders and their teams. Jonathan emphasized the need for clear takeaways and acknowledged the challenges leaders face in dealing with both positive and negative changes. Mark agreed, suggesting that the topic would affect everyone in both ways. They agreed to proceed with the discussion.

AI's Impact on Labor Market

Jonathan and Mark discussed the impact of AI on the labor market, focusing on its implications for individual roles, team management, and organizational staffing. Mark, a transformational CTO with expertise in AI and cybersecurity, shared his background and emphasized the importance of professional development in the face of technological change. They agreed that while AI can automate tasks, it also presents opportunities for human workers to adapt and enhance their roles, ensuring the continued relevance of human labor in the face of technological advancements.

Technology's Impact on Job Creation

Mark discussed the impact of technology on job creation and destruction. He used the example of farming transitioning to factory jobs, and the elimination of tollbooth collectors. Mark also compared the evolution of software development and website creation, noting that while software development has become more efficient and cost-effective, website creation has not seen increased demand, leading to downward wage pressure.

Automation's Impact on Workforce and Jobs

Mark and Jonathan discussed the impact of automation on jobs and the workforce. They agreed that while automation may replace some low-value, repetitive tasks, it could also create new, high-value jobs. However, they also acknowledged that the transition to these new jobs could be challenging and might lead to friction for workers. They emphasized the importance of considering the demand for new jobs and the need for reskilling and upskilling. They also discussed the potential for increased productivity and the need for leaders to make strategic decisions about their teams' roles and capacities.

Balancing AI Reliance and Basic Expertise

Jonathan and Mark discussed the potential risks of relying too heavily on AI tools. Jonathan shared his experience of becoming reliant on statistical software and coding tools, but also acknowledged the importance of having a baseline understanding to troubleshoot issues. Mark used the example of calculators to illustrate how outsourcing calculations can lead to a loss of basic math skills. They agreed that while AI can be incredibly helpful, it's essential to maintain a level of expertise to ensure that the technology works as intended.

Listen to the webinar here: