Forget the future — how is AI dramatically impacting our lives right now?

The AI revolution is already here: Current AI models, even without reaching superintelligence, possess capabilities that are transforming various aspects of work and daily life.

• AI systems like GPT-4 can process and generate multiple types of media, including text, images, and sound.
• These models can write code, operate computers, access the internet, and perform complex tasks, albeit with some limitations and inconsistencies.
• The integration of existing AI capabilities into various fields is already underway, with years of change ahead even if AI development were to halt today.

AI as a workplace supervisor: The combination of image processing and reasoning abilities allows AI to monitor and analyze complex environments like construction sites.

• An AI system was able to analyze a construction site video, identifying safety issues, areas for improvement, and coaching opportunities.
• The AI created a detailed spreadsheet summarizing observations and even suggested a tracking system for completion verification.
• While the system’s accuracy may not be perfect, it demonstrates potential for enhancing safety and providing mentorship in environments where human oversight might be lacking.

Ethical considerations of AI monitoring: The deployment of AI observers raises important questions about privacy and the potential for excessive surveillance.

• Organizations and governments may be tempted to use AI for widespread monitoring.
• There’s a fine line between using AI as a helpful mentor and safety check versus creating a panopticon-like environment where everyone is constantly watched and judged.
• Careful consideration of ethical guidelines and regulations is necessary to ensure AI is used to help rather than merely monitor people.

AI’s growing prowess in digital tasks: Modern AI systems can navigate websites, fill forms, and complete transactions, effectively automating many knowledge work tasks.

• An AI was able to test and compare the user experience of Walmart and Amazon websites, producing coherent reports on its findings.
• These capabilities suggest that AI could soon function as a competent digital assistant or intern, capable of executing assignments with a degree of judgment and problem-solving ability.

The uncanny valley of AI avatars: Multimodal AI outputs are pushing the boundaries of human-like interaction in digital spaces.

• An AI-powered avatar was demonstrated in a Zoom call, complete with synthesized voice, image, and behavior.
• While some uncanny elements were noticeable, the interaction closely mimicked a typical video call, suggesting that such avatars could soon become indistinguishable from humans in digital contexts.

Implications for policy and practice: The rapid advancement of AI capabilities demands immediate attention to both organizational policies and societal regulations.

• Organizations need to consider the human impact of AI technologies beyond just technical challenges.
• Decisions made now about AI deployment will set long-lasting precedents for how these technologies are integrated into workplaces and society.
• Key questions include whether AI-powered monitoring will be used for mentorship or control, and whether AI assistants will augment or replace human judgment.

Looking ahead: Shaping the AI-augmented future: The examples presented, from construction site monitoring to virtual avatars, are just the beginning of AI’s transformative impact on work and society.

• The urgent task is to ensure that AI integration enhances rather than diminishes human potential.
• Organizations and policymakers must strive to create environments where technology elevates human capability instead of replacing it.
• The decisions made in these early days of AI integration will play a crucial role in shaping the future of human agency in an AI-augmented world.