Sam Altman on AI’s Impact on Employment and Future Job Market

OpenAI's research brings big news about how large language models (LLMs) like GPT could change jobs. Their August 2023 study says 80% of the U.S. workforce might see at least 10% of their tasks affected by these models. About 19% could see half of their tasks impacted. This spans all wage levels, but higher-income jobs might face greater exposure.

LLMs are becoming general-purpose technologies. This means they can impact many areas of life and work. These changes bring economic, social, and policy implications. Policymakers need to think about how to handle these shifts. New policies might be needed to address these changes in the labor market.

The study shows that AI can change high-income jobs more than low-income ones. This is because high-income jobs often involve tasks that LLMs can easily automate. For example, tasks like writing reports or analyzing data can be done by LLMs. This might mean that people in these jobs will need to learn new skills to stay relevant.

While this impact sounds big, it’s important to understand the timeline. OpenAI has not set a timeline for how quickly these changes will happen. So, while the potential impact is large, it might not happen right away. Companies and workers have some time to prepare for these changes.

One thing to remember is that not all changes will be bad. Some tasks that LLMs can automate are repetitive and boring. By automating these tasks, workers can focus on more interesting and creative parts of their jobs. This could lead to higher job satisfaction and new opportunities.

In conclusion, the impact of LLMs on jobs will be significant. Policymakers, companies, and workers need to prepare for these changes. By understanding the potential impact and planning ahead, they can make the most of the opportunities that AI brings. This preparation will help ensure a smooth transition into a future where AI plays a bigger role in the workforce.