The Impacts of GPT-4 on Industries Reliant on Programming and Writing Skills
Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically Large Language Models (LLMs) like GPT-4, significantly influences various sectors, including those heavily reliant on programming and writing skills. In this Besa Blog, we will explore how GPT-4 could potentially transform these industries, discussing both the opportunities and challenges LLMs may present.
GPT-4: A Revolutionary Language Model
Generative Pre-trained Transformer 4 (GPT-4) is a large language model developed by OpenAI. As Yuval Noah Harari suggests, AI models like GPT-4 can be considered as having "hacked the operating system of our civilization" by mastering language, which is considered to be a fundamental aspect of human culture.
Compared to its predecessor, GPT-2, 3, 3.5, GPT-4 is more reliable, creative, and able to handle nuanced instructions. Not only is it capable of solving logic puzzles, writing computer code, and summarizing complex information, but it can also form connections with external interfaces, such as APIs and webpages.
The Influence on Programming and Writing Jobs
The Programming Sector
GPT-4's ability to assist with coding tasks can revolutionize the programming sector. It can find errors in existing code and suggest optimizations, thereby acting as a valuable tool for software developers, web developers, data scientists, and other tech professionals. However, it's important to remember that while it can automate some tasks, GPT-4 doesn't eliminate the need for human oversight due to its propensity for errors, such as hallucinations.
The Writing Sector
GPT-4's mastery of language in the writing sector allows it to generate high-quality written content, which could impact the work of journalists, content writers, copywriters, and technical writers. However, this doesn't mean that AI will replace these professionals. The human touch in storytelling, understanding complex emotional nuances, and tailoring content to a specific audience is something that AI, as of now, cannot fully replicate.
Economic Impact and Job Market Outlook
GPT-4 and similar AI technologies have already shaken industries like music, creating AI-powered songs featuring synthesized voices. Goldman Sachs suggests that widespread AI adoption could drive a 7% or nearly $7 trillion increase in global GDP over a decade. Despite such projections, history suggests that job destruction due to technology often happens more slowly than anticipated.
In fact, contrary to fears of massive job loss due to automation, the past decade has seen the average unemployment rate roughly halve. Many of the jobs at risk from AI are in heavily regulated sectors, and government actions may prevent the rapid replacement of jobs. Moreover, AI could also create new types of jobs as others are eliminated.
Concluding Thoughts
Despite the potentials and concerns associated with AI and GPT-4, it is essential to note that they are tools designed to assist and augment human abilities, not replace them. The interaction between AI and humans in fields dependent on writing and programming skills will likely lead to the evolution of new work paradigms, calling for continuous learning and adaptability from professionals in these industries.
Whether GPT-4 will lead us into a reality akin to Descartes’ demon, Plato’s cave, or something entirely unexpected is yet to be seen. However, it is safe to say that as we navigate this new terrain, we will need to learn to worry wisely about artificial intelligence.
References
YuvalNoah Harari argues that AI has hacked the operating system of human civilisation
Your job is (probably) safe from artificial intelligence
How to worry wisely about artificial intelligence