How will the way we work change in the future? Is the use of artificial intelligence a threat or a useful tool for the working population? In the ARD programme “alpha-gespräch”, presenter Birgit Kappel discusses the opportunities AI already offers in working life today and what is important for its targeted use in everyday business with Sabine Pfeiffer, who has been researching how new technology is changing the way we work for many years. Also joining the discussion is Professor Frauke Kreuter, co-director of the Social Data Centre at the University of Maryland and a participant in the bidt research project GREEN DIA. The two professors offer interesting perspectives on the handling and targeted use of AI. Pfeiffer makes it clear that the use of artificial intelligence must be specific and flexible:
If you don't look closely at what is needed and don't give employees the freedom to adapt it to their own needs, then things can sometimes go wrong.
Prof. Dr. Sabine Pfeiffer To the profile
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An interview with Anika Dang in the daily newspaper Der Standard also deals with upcoming changes in our working world. Here, Pfeiffer explains that she does not share the assessment of some pessimistic scenarios regarding the effects of artificial intelligence and what is not being discussed enough in debates on digitalisation. Pfeiffer points out that many predictions that every second job would soon become redundant have not come true.
The sociologist of work also comments on pressing challenges in the labour market, such as the shortage of skilled workers and demographic change. Here, too, Pfeiffer doubts that the new technologies are mature enough to completely replace people and jobs. Instead, AI should be used to relieve the burden on employees in a targeted manner:
Politics and industry demand, that people work more and take less sick leave. There is even talk of extending working life. But in the long term, we need exactly the opposite
Prof. Dr. Sabine Pfeiffer To the profile
According to Pfeiffer, our debates on digitalisation have been revolving around the same topics for decades – including the recurring predictions of widespread job losses. To break out of this repetitive discourse, the bidt director advocates considering how we want to shape our working world in the future and what responses we really want to give to demographic change and the shortage of skilled workers. The aim is to develop a vision for tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, while at the same time not missing the opportunity to help shape it.
