Most of us have already seen how AI is changing how we work. While it can make some tasks easier, it can also cause unforeseen problems. Let’s look at some ways AI can make work tricky.
What is the impact of AI on work?
AI (Artificial Intelligence) enables computer systems to do the things that normal and regular human intelligence can do – except much, much faster. It can support so many jobs by researching, writing, analyzing data, and can even creating art.
But it ain’t perfect.
Bear in mind that your IT support, whether an internal IT services department or outsourced Managed Services Provider (MSP) should be a fount of good advice. If they’re worth their salt, they’re already using AI in a number of areas.
Let’s consider the questions we need to be asking about AI:
What are the drawbacks of AI?
Unreliable Information Gathering
AI sometimes generates misinformation. When you pose a query, it scans the internet for what it deems appropriate information, but sometimes it is not. It may mix up facts or use data that is too old. This can cause huge problems in the workplace.
Strange outputs
Think of those ‘fish out of water’ stories, like an alien landing on Earth and trying to make sense of what it sees but putting it together wrong. Consider Jeff Bridges in ‘Starman,’ assuming that when a traffic light turns yellow, it means ‘speed up’ (even though most of us do just that). This can cause AI to make strange mistakes, writing nonsense or creating odd images. This may not only cause some head scratching but wastes time and creates confusion.
Is there bias in AI?
As a case of ‘garbage in – garbage out,’ AI can be biased. It learns from data given to it by humans, so if that data has bias in it, then the AI will too. If you watched the news in the run-up to the last Presidential election, you may recall how ChatGPT refused to comment on whether Trump would make a good President, but spoke glowingly – and at great length, about Harris. Somebody programmed that in. This can lead to misconceptions in the public arena but can also lead to unfair decisions in the workplace.
Is AI a threat to jobs?
For many, AI is an enhancement, a hardworking assistant, but it can be a threat to others’ job security.
Job loss
Some people fear that AI will steal their jobs because it can perform certain tasks more quickly and for less money than humans. This fear did not take long to become a reality, as a few companies have started to cut employees. CNBC reported that 37% of companies using AI replaced workers with the technology in 2023, and that 44% layoffs were anticipated in 2024. Numbers for 2025 are expected to increase.
AI Requires Upskilling
To adequately work with AI, workers need to acquire new skills. Learning new tricks can be challenging for some ‘old dogs.’
How reliable is artificial intelligence?
AI is not always reliable – it can make mistakes, just like humans. It can malfunction or break down. This causes a big problem when it fails the workers who depend on it.
How does AI help with collaboration?
While AI can be a great boon to collaboration, it can also alter how teams work together – often in subtle ways. For example, take virtual team meetings:
Zoom offers an ‘AI companion’ feature, which can help you catch up when you arrive late to a meeting. Teams has ‘Copilot’ which will help you summarize key discussion points. BUT: when you throw AI bots into human meetings, you will often find that these bots aren’t afraid of speaking up, and they don’t feel any embarrassment. Team members who feel they are being corrected by this ‘otherworldly team member’ can become reserved about speaking up.
The Harvard Business Review highlights this and other concerns about AI’s effects on team dynamics HERE.
How is AI a threat to privacy?
There are many concerns about AI and privacy because it requires a lot of data to function properly, some of which may be the personal details and work habits of humans. Few employees will feel indifferent to this type of data collection.
TrustCloud goes through these legitimate concerns item by item in their article 'Data privacy and AI: ethical considerations and best practices.'
AI can also create legal issues. There are questions about who owns work created by AI. There are also concerns about AI making biased decisions.
The main areas where legal issues can become involved:
Intellectual Property Disputes
Personal Data Collection Consent
Liability in AI-Based Decision Making
Transparency and Explainability Requirements
Bias and Discrimination
The legalities concerning AI are rapidly moving targets which constantly evolve. This is a tricky area to keep abreast of.
How to be safe while using AI?
To be safe, exercise due diligence when using AI:
Check AI outputs carefully
Keep humans in charge of big decisions
Train workers to use AI well
Have clear rules for AI use
Stay up to date on AI laws
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ChatGPT safe?
ChatGPT is generally safe to use if you have followed the most rudimentary security protocols. Surfshark lays out the minimum requisites HERE.
What are the three sources of bias in AI?
Bias in AI can arise from various sources, depending on the criteria used by the person who set it up. Sources for data collection, algorithm design, and human interpretation can all be used to slant AI in a specific direction. AI machine learning models can learn and replicate patterns of bias present in the data used to train them, resulting in unfair or discriminatory outcomes.
How to make sure AI isn't biased?
Here are 5 basic ways to avoid bias in your AI structure:
1) There are two types of learning models: supervised (uses labeled data) and unsupervised (uses unlabeled data). Labeled data is more trustworthy, with accountable sources, whereas unlabeled data can include opinion and conjecture. Choose the correct learning model.
2) Use the right training data set, which depends on your purposes. ‘Humans in the Loop’ details The Best AI Training Datasets for 2025.
3) Perform data processing mindfully.
4) Monitor real-world performance across the AI lifecycle through continuous, real-time checks.
5) Avoid infrastructural issues, including security concerns, computational power, data quality and quantity, data handling and storage, and ethical considerations. There can also be issues with system integration, managing model performance and drift, and meeting the demands of AI workloads.
What job is most at risk from AI?
A report from the PEW Research Center highlights these top 5 jobs that will most likely end up on the AI chopping block:
Cashiers (73% of experts agree). Practically a no-brainer: Count cash; disperse cash. ATMs have been doing this for decades.
Truck drivers (62%) Scary.
Journalists (60%) BUT: do you really want your news from AI, considering the dangers of bias?
Factory workers (60%). This has been happening with robotics for a few decades now. AI is a logical new ‘foreman.’
Software engineers (50%). Again, if bias is allowed in the initial AI setup, this could produce faulty software creation.
How secure is your network?
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IT HelpDesk Service
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IT Support LA is an award-winning Managed Services Provider (MSP):
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Want Help Getting Started With AI?
While AI can certainly be helpful at work, it’s not perfect. We have to use it with care. We can help you use AI in a smart and safe way. If you have questions about using AI at your job, contact us today, and also take advantage of our FREE no-risk network and cybersecurity assessment.
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