Top tips is a weekly column where we highlight what’s trending in the tech world today and list out ways to explore these trends. This week we take a look at the effect of AI-related over-saturation and show you four ways to work around it.
It’s everywhere. In the videos you watch, the stories you read, and the images you look at, AI has very likely had a hand in it. It’s come to a point where mass media is over-saturated by AI as a news topic, so it doesn’t seem as interesting or innovative anymore. And honestly, I think people’s interest is waning. While once a darling of website viewers—its website reached one million viewers in less than a week—since the month of May 2023, the ChatGPT website has lost close to 20 million monthly visitors, perhaps reflecting a future trend.
Although completely ignoring or rejecting AI advancements seems unwise considering the current technological climate, it’s good to be selective in the content we consume and the attitude we maintain towards this technology. Let me assure you that we’re nowhere close to having the technology where robots enslave humans, but with the right approach, we’ll be living the Jetsons’ life soon enough. Here are five ways to keep the AI spark alive, despite its constant craving for attention.
1. Keep an open mind
When it comes to new technology, we generally tend to be dismissive. Right now we’re at a stage when technology is advancing in leaps and bounds, and we don’t have the luxury of sleeping on it. Fear of missing out is a dreadful feeling and nobody wants to be left off the hype train. So whenever something new comes along and you’re not able to comprehend it, it’s best to approach it with an open mind, see if it’ll make your life easier and, if not, move on to the next.
2. Ditch the distrust
There is another group of people who just don’t trust AI. In a recent survey, about 86% responded saying that they can do their jobs better than AI. I’m not claiming to be the torchbearer of technology, nor am I the purveyor of progress, so allow me to extend an olive branch here. Before you develop a distrust in invasive technology, it’s advisable to secure a fair grasp of its inner workings. Staying informed is key. You might not otherwise know if you’ll find something useful to you. Which brings me to my next point.
3. Stay informed
It’s essential to stay on top of AI trends, considering how much of our day-to-day life is being influenced by it. Checking in with ChatGPT to generate articles on top trends and consulting with Midjourney, a generative AI program for image ideas, have become more pragmatic options instead of spending a lot of time conceiving new ideas. We need to understand that technology can make our work easier. But it’s often easier to be blissfully unaware of an AI app that can help us work more effectively. Just don’t complain when you see your colleagues whoosh past you in their fancy sports car, leaving you to muddle along in your trusty old sedan.
4. Understand workforce impact
More than 90% of leading companies have ongoing investments in AI, and 61% of employees say that AI tools help them boost productivity. The numbers speak for themselves. Organizations are embracing AI like it’s going out of fashion. Teams are witnessing real-time spikes in productivity thanks to the introduction of easily available AI tools that integrate seamlessly with their day-to-day work applications. As an individual in a workforce, it is crucial to always stay on top of technological advancements in your work environment, or deal with not making the cut. Whether we like it or not, AI is set to become the backbone of workplace technology and we must be prepared to work around it, or risk being replaced by someone else.
I’m empathetic with those who find the recent AI-related information dump to be a bit overwhelming. This article isn’t intended to trigger technophobia, but is intended to convey that staying aware of developments in AI is important. We need to determine how we can make peace with the “new normal”, which is a world where AI and humans coexist harmoniously. If you find this frustrating, take a short technology break, focus on your mental health and when you’re ready, get back to the grind. You’ll be surprised how much tech news you’ll have to catch up on!
