However, the article also raises concerns about the potential negative impacts of AI. It suggests that while AI may boost the skills of lower performers, it may not necessarily lead to higher pay for these workers. Instead, it could lead to a reduction in pay for top performers, as AI commodifies their skills. The article also questions how a more equalized workplace might impact aspects such as promotions, salary progression, and performance evaluations. It concludes by suggesting that being highly skilled may become a liability in the era of AI equality.
Key takeaways:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making workers more productive, particularly those who are less skilled or experienced. It is narrowing the gap between high performers and low performers in various fields such as creative writing, office memos, coding, management consulting, law school, and call-center work.
- AI could potentially reverse income inequality by boosting the productivity of low performers and putting them on equal footing with the high performers. This could affect the salary structure within professions, making it harder for top performers to justify their high salaries.
- However, AI could also reduce wage inequality by depressing the pay of top earners without significantly raising wages for those at the bottom. This is because as productivity increases, owners might choose to keep the gains for themselves.
- The introduction of AI could lead to a reorganization of white-collar work, potentially eliminating the need for promotions, performance evaluations, and the current emphasis on experience and expertise. This could lead to a future where everyone in a particular job is paid the same salary, regardless of their seniority level.