Many CEOs and tech leaders claim that AI will not replace jobs but will work alongside humans. This belief is tested by stories like that of a writer who saw his 60-person team replaced by AI.
A writer under the pseudonym Benjamin Miller shared how his company aimed to reduce costs using AI in early 2023. His team of over 60 writers and editors created blog posts and articles for a tech company that packaged and resold data.
The new process involved using AI to generate article outlines based on provided titles, with the human team filling in the details. Miller would then edit the final pieces.
At first, this seemed to show AI working alongside humans. Yet, the situation changed quickly.
The company decided to have ChatGPT write entire articles, leading to most of Miller’s team being dismissed. The remaining few, including Miller, were tasked with making the AI-generated content sound human-like.
Eventually, Miller was the last human on the team, solely responsible for editing AI’s work.
He described it as repetitive and boring, likening himself to a robot. His role involved more editing than when human writers were involved, due to the uniform nature of the AI’s output.
A few months later, Miller’s company determined he was no longer needed.
Ironically, his next job was with a firm called Undetectable AI, which focuses on making AI-written content harder to identify.
Miller’s experience sheds light on a growing trend. Despite issues like hallucinations, questionable quality, and public dissatisfaction, more companies are turning to generative AI to replace human workers.
Many jobs across various fields could be at risk, from software engineering to customer service. This has led to discussions about implementing a universal basic income to help society cope with these changes.
This case exemplifies the potential widespread impact of AI on employment. While AI promises efficiency and cost savings, it also raises significant questions about job security and the future of work.
