As AI gains traction in the workplace, most association leaders believe it will enhance job performance by boosting productivity and efficiency. However, because concerns linger about its long-term implications, there is a need for careful integration with human values.
After the first blush of excitement about AI’s potential to transform just about everything subsided, an encroaching fear seeped in about whether AI would replace jobs at every level and in every sector.
Understandable, especially as many people realize that 40 to 60 percent of jobs will be impacted by AI. However, according to Dan Chuparkoff– CEO of Reinvention Labs, AI educator, and keynote speaker– a more accurate estimate might be closer to 100 percent.
It’s not so much that AI will replace jobs; it will change—in a positive way—how people do their jobs. “Whatever role you have, whatever organization you work with, and whatever industry you’re in, AI is going to play an increasingly larger role in getting your work done,” Chuparkoff said.
The AI Effect
Associations overwhelmingly agree that AI will be beneficial. When asked if they had to guess how AI would impact members’ jobs, a mid-October Avenue M quick poll with 68 executives found that a majority of association leaders—88 percent—said AI would improve members’ jobs. 7 said it wouldn’t make a significant change, 3 percent said it would make members’ jobs worse, and only 1 percent said it would eliminate members’ jobs.
Three executives who said that AI would improve members’ jobs emphasized its potential to enhance productivity by “saving time, creating efficiencies, and allowing them to focus on human brain work.”
One leader observed that while healthcare providers and professionals may initially benefit from AI, they could later feel threatened as insurance companies and hospital systems focus on cost-cutting.
An executive who said that AI would make their members’ jobs worse feared that people would assume that “AI’s answer is better than the profession’s 100 percent of the time.”
Quick Turnaround
Sentiments about AI have changed drastically in a remarkably short amount of time. In February of 2023, only 8 percent of association executives said their organizations planned to use generative AI—ChatGPT—to engage with members, according to an Avenue M text poll. Seven months later, another Avenue M text poll revealed that 58 percent of associations said their organizations had increased their use of AI.
Now, “with 88 percent expecting AI to improve their work and only 1 percent fearing job loss, the overall sentiment is one of optimism,” said Dr. Shawn DuBravac, president of Avrio Institute and keynote speaker. “This reflects both a recognition that AI will transform how we work rather than replace us and a confidence in people’s ability to adapt and thrive as AI becomes more integrated.”
Navigating AI’s Future
It’s hard to know what will unfold as AI becomes an increasingly common workplace tool. Societal acceptance, scientific advancements, the nature of the work, and corporate interests will all be key factors shaping its future, according to Brad Short, MLA, CAE, and former vice president of governance and member services at the American College of Radiology. However, he cautioned, “We can see the early evolution as generally being a short-term win, but the longer-term implications are much less predictable.”
Despite the uncertainties, it’s important to remember that as employees integrate AI into their workflows, their jobs won’t vanish—they will evolve. “Tasks will shift from repetitive to creative, from transactional to strategic, allowing individuals to focus on higher-value work while AI handles the routine,” DuBravac said. “This shift will require new skills, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace change, as the future of work continues to unfold in ways we can’t fully predict.”
Now is the time for associations to step up and give their members the support they need to navigate this new landscape. The goal is to make AI a powerful ally in the journey toward a more efficient and creative workplace.
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For more insights into how AI is affecting the workplace, read Avenue M’s quick summaries of the following resources, and click the links below.
AI Can Cut Costs, But at What Cost to the Workforce Experience?
Bringing artificial intelligence into the workplace has plenty of advantages, but rushing the process might negatively affect employees’ experiences if their needs are not taken into consideration. This article looks at four emerging tensions between the opportunities AI investments present and the human values that could be at risk.
- Efficiency vs. inclusivity
- Creative inspiration vs. diligence
- Personalization vs. data privacy
- Time for connections vs. quality of connections
What Jobs Will AI Replace First?
AI is transforming industries and the job market, especially in roles with routine tasks. Here are three examples:
- Data Entry and Admin: AI easily handles repetitive tasks like data entry, freeing employees for more complex work.
- Customer Service: AI chatbots manage inquiries and support, putting basic service roles at risk.
- Manufacturing: AI and robots are replacing manual jobs in tasks like assembly and packaging.
As AI grows, it will change the job market by replacing some roles and opening new ones in areas like creativity, empathy, and complex problem-solving—things AI can’t do. Education needs to shift to help people build skills that work alongside AI. By focusing on what makes us human, we can ensure technology boosts our potential rather than replaces it.
AI Is Replacing Human Tasks Faster Than You Think
Corporate America is quickly turning to AI to automate jobs traditionally done by people, with 61 percent of large companies planning to use it in the next year, according to a recent survey by Duke University and the Federal Reserve. Organizations are using AI for tasks like paying suppliers, financial reporting, and creative work like writing job posts and marketing, all to cut costs and boost productivity.
However, this rapid shift comes with concerns. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned of risks, especially in finance, and another report pointed to the lack of regulations around AI in trading. Experts advise organizations to be cautious, ensuring they have strong risk management to avoid problems from moving too quickly.
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Contributors: Sheri Jacobs, FASAE, CAE & Lisa Boylan
Image: Adobe Stock Photo AI generated