As companies like OpenAI (the creators of Chat GPT), Google, Microsoft, and Nvidia lead the ever-evolving AI arms race, it’s essential for organizations and individuals to adapt to these rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and the potential
Artificial intelligence, potentially the most transformative human invention, stands to … [+]
development of artificial general intelligence (AGI). A crucial aspect of this adaptation involves investing in human-centric skills, such as negotiation, conflict resolution, empathy, and communication.
As the world becomes more technologically advanced, embracing our humanity and learning to connect human-to-human emerges as the solution for personal and professional advancement. In this era of increasing AI capabilities, let’s explore the benefits of investing in human connection for companies and how it ultimately benefits employees.
Anthropocentric Bias: The Unseen Barrier for AI
The concept of anthropocentric bias suggests that humans are less willing to accept the involvement of AI in prototypically human tasks, which means that even if AI reaches a point where it can communicate just like a human, knowing that they’re not interacting with another human can create a bias against the machine.
When an artwork is labeled as AI-made rather than human-made, it is perceived as less creative, … [+]
A study published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior provides insight into this phenomenon. It showed that recent advancements in AI, particularly in the domain of art, such as music and painting, challenge human uniqueness in the area of artistic creativity.
The study conducted four experiments, revealing a pervasive bias against AI-made artworks. The same artwork was preferred less when labeled as AI-made versus human-made because it was perceived as less creative and subsequently induced less awe, an emotional response typically associated with the aesthetic appreciation of art. This bias was more pronounced among people with stronger anthropocentric creativity beliefs, who believe that creativity is a uniquely human characteristic.
Essentially, even if AI gets to a place where it can communicate as well as humans, anthropocentric bias will lead people to rate the interaction less favorably than if the same interaction was had with another human. This will be a significant hurdle for AI to overcome.
For some, this will be an explicit bias – something they are conscious of because they are resistant to the technology for whatever reason. But for others, the bias will be more subtle in the form of an implicit bias, where they are biased against communication and interactions with AI but don’t even realize it.
Therefore, there will always be a place for human-to-human interaction, especially in high-stakes situations. While we might get to a point where basic and repetitive customer service interactions are taken over by AI, as the stakes get higher, the need for human-to-human connection increases as well.
This also helps explain why the AI industry has struggled to break into the sales arena beyond facilitating efficiency with administrative support. When it comes down to it, for more significant and more critical purchases, people are going to want to talk to a person.
The Benefits of Investing in Human Connection for Companies
Companies that prioritize effective communication and conflict resolution training for their employees can experience numerous benefits. Employees with strong communication skills are better equipped to convey ideas, collaborate, and understand the needs of their colleagues and clients.
When making significant purchases or dealing with complex issues, customers often prefer the empathy, understanding, and personalized touch that only a human customer service representative can provide. People are more likely to trust and
People tend to trust and build loyalty with fellow humans, which often leads to stronger business … [+]
respond positively to human representatives, as they can relate to their experiences and emotions. The inherent anthropocentric bias in people highlights the importance of investing in employees’ communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
By investing in these human-centric skills, companies can create a customer service experience that fosters trust and loyalty. This is crucial because, at the end of the day, people are loyal to people, not machines.
In turn, this can lead to increased customer satisfaction, repeat business, and higher revenue. As AI continues to reshape customer interactions, companies that prioritize and nurture the human element in customer relations will have a distinct advantage over those that rely solely on AI-driven solutions.
The Importance of Human Connection for Employees
As the world becomes more technologically advanced, younger generations tend to prefer communicating via text rather than voice. The improvement of artificial intelligence is likely to further exacerbate this trend, making people more reliant on technology for communication. As a result, people who invest in the elements that make them uniquely human will have an outsized advantage in the marketplace.
As technology threatens to replace the knowledge class, the time we spent in school learning may soon be rendered largely obsolete. A computer with the infinite computing power of AI and access to the world’s knowledge can produce the right answer with immediacy and accuracy using generative AI. In this context, what separates us from machines is not our knowledge anymore, but our humanity.
(Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)
For example, while OpenAI’s GPT-3.5 scored in the 10th percentile on the bar exam, its successor, GPT-4, achieved an impressive 90th percentile with a score of 298 out of 400. In addition, a doctor and Harvard computer scientist noted that GPT-4 demonstrated better clinical judgment than many doctors, being able to diagnose a 1 in 100,000 condition in mere seconds, just as a human doctor would. As a lawyer who’s married to a doctor, this news is equal parts exhilarating and terrifying.
This rapid development in AI capabilities illustrates the potential threat to the knowledge class and underscores the importance of nurturing the uniquely human aspects of our personal and professional lives. By investing in human-centric skills such as communication, empathy, and negotiation, employees can stay ahead of the AI curve and maintain their competitive edge in the job market.
The Rise of Centaur Communication: Enhancing Human Potential with The Power of AI
Chess enthusiasts watch World Chess champion Garry Kasparov on a television monitor as he holds his … [+]
Before we conclude, let’s take a moment to discuss the future of communication in the age of artificial intelligence, drawing inspiration from the concept of centaur chess. The game changed when IBM’s Deep Blue defeated world chess champion Garry Kasparov in 1997, making people realize that computers could outperform humans in certain aspects. This sparked a new interest in combining human and machine intelligence for maximum results.
Kasparov went on to promote the idea of “Centaur Chess,” where human chess masters team up with AI, creating a powerful hybrid competitor. It was found that a Human+AI Centaur could not only defeat a solo human player but also outperform a solo AI player. This synergy between human and AI intelligence demonstrates the potential for a collaborative future in communication.
Drawing from this idea, the best communicators of the future will likely be centaurs, a perfect blend of human expertise, AI computing power, and exceptional communication skills. Employees who excel in their field, master communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution, while also understanding how to leverage artificial intelligence, will become the leaders in this new era of collaboration with AI.
As AI continues to advance, it will become increasingly important to maintain and nurture our uniquely human skills. By working together with AI, we can create a non-zero-sum environment where both humans and machines can benefit from each other’s strengths. This harmonious collaboration will not only enhance our personal and professional lives but also ensure that our shared goals and values are preserved in the face of rapid technological progress.
In conclusion, as the world becomes more technologically advanced, embracing our humanity and fostering human connections will become the key to success and growth in both personal and professional spheres. By recognizing the value of human-centric skills, companies and individuals can cultivate a future where human-AI collaboration leads to unprecedented innovation and achievement.
