Google Embraces Ai over Employees

In a move that could signal a major shift in the tech industry, Google is reportedly considering replacing some of its human staff with artificial intelligence. According to a report by The Information, the company is looking to either reassign or let go some sales team members whose jobs were recently automated by the company’s new AI tools.

Earlier this year, Google launched "a new era of AI-powered ads" as a way to enhance advertiser’s experiences with the company. This included creating customer AI-designed assets for ad campaigns designed specifically for the advertiser. The new AI tools have been so successful that Google reportedly has 30,000 employees working in its ad division, with almost half of those involved in selling ads for particular Google ad services which are no longer needed thanks to the advertiser's adoption of AI.

The move to replace human staff with AI is not without controversy. While some argue that it will lead to increased efficiency and cost savings, others worry about the potential job losses and the ethical implications of replacing human workers with machines.

Google is not the only company exploring the use of AI to replace human workers. A report by web-hosting company Hostinger earlier this year found that AI has the potential to replace several jobs in healthcare, transportation, and financial services, amongst others. It found globally that healthcare, especially things like hospital administrative tasks, would likely be some of the first positions to go.

However, the rise of AI has also created several new positions that didn’t exist before. These include things like "prompt engineer" who creates prompts for large language models, and AI trainers and auditors. These new roles require a unique set of skills and expertise, and are likely to become increasingly important as AI continues to evolve.

Despite the potential benefits of AI, there are still many questions that need to be answered. How will companies ensure that the AI they use is fair and unbiased? How will they protect the privacy and security of their customers? And perhaps most importantly, how will they ensure that the benefits of AI are shared equitably across society?

As the use of AI continues to grow, these questions will only become more pressing. Companies like Google will need to work closely with policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders to ensure that the transition to an AI-powered world is a smooth and equitable one.

In the meantime, the news that Google is considering replacing some of its human staff with AI is likely to be closely watched by workers in the tech industry and beyond. While the move may make economic sense for the company, it is a stark reminder of the disruptive potential of AI, and the need for workers to adapt and upskill in order to stay relevant in an increasingly automated world.

https://www.theinformation.com/articles/google-plans-ad-sales-restructuring-as-automation-booms