AI and the public service workforce
AI in the Public Service: Personal Strategies for a Synergistic Future
The consensus on the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is raising eyebrows in the workforce, including with members of the public service . Reports from the International Monetary Fund, Stanford, Pew Research Center, and many others show that AI is set to have a significant impact on many job categories over the next five years. Some job types on the list are relatively unsurprising, such as information processing and process-oriented roles. Yet advancements in large language models (LLMs) and Generative AI are quickly adding other joy type only recently thought of as "safe". Unthinkable just a couple of years ago, AI is demonstrating growing competence in public service specialties like policy development, strategic planning, operations sustainment, expert-level code development and other cognitively demanding areas.
Exponential Progress Towards….??
As funds continue to pour into AI research and its supporting technologies, models are showing a pattern of exponential improvement. Yet, it's difficult to find any expert who believes that we will run into a fundamental limitation to AI capabilities any time soon. More likely, we can expect AI to become increasingly technically proficient and "general purpose" in its ability to interact with humans in economically significant ways. A useful metaphor would be to picture a lake with many islands that today, represent pockets of AI expertise. As AI improves the lake is drying, allowing the islands to link up until there is a contiguous unbroken landscape in which AI skills can interact seamlessly.
We have not reached that point yet but as with the private sector, the public service will be facing the reality of AI becoming as competent as humans at many business skills. As this reality approaches another one will raise its head, which is that human capital is expensive. The Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer reports that employee and professional services costs represent over 65% of the government's gross operating budget. In recent years, the Canadian federal public service has seen a year-on-year growth of nearly 8% with over 32,000 employees added in 2022 alone. Demand for government services keeps increasing yet this rate of growth in the public service is clearly unsustainable. Increasingly, government will search for means to control growth or even reverse it. It is difficult to conceive that integrating AI into the public service will not soon evolve to the level of being an effective means of carrying this out.
How this integration will ultimately play out is obviously yet to be determined. On one hand AI existentialists will warn that no jobs are safe and that we all face being made redundant sooner than we can imagine. Others believe that no significant effect will be felt for many years yet because the practical challenges of integrating AI at enterprise scale are very difficult. My view is that we are seeing the beginnings of a new equilibrium of AI and humans acting synergistically within a new and more compact public service. I suspect that AI adoption will shake out to be more of a partnership in which humans and AI will gravitate toward the areas in which each is the most valuable.
Embracing a New Partnership
Irrespective of a hard or soft landing, it will be true in either case that those with the ability to adapt and find ways to productively move forward in partnership with AI will have a leg up on their colleagues. How can you prepare for this? Well, consider these recommendations a you shape your career plans.
Enhance your AI literacy: Understanding how AI works and how it can be applied in your field can make you an invaluable asset. This doesn't mean you need to become an AI expert, but having a solid grasp of its capabilities and limitations can help you work effectively alongside AI tools.
Develop complementary skills: Focus on skills that AI struggles to replicate, such as creativity, empathy, and interpersonal communication. These skills will likely remain in demand as they are crucial for roles that require a human touch.
Adopt a learning mindset: Stay current with emerging trends and technologies. Continuous learning can help you adapt to new tools and methodologies, ensuring your skills remain relevant.
Cultivate problem-solving and critical thinking: AI can process and analyze data at incredible speeds, but human insight is often needed to interpret and apply these findings effectively. Enhancing your problem-solving and critical thinking skills can make you an essential part of the decision-making process.
Focus on collaboration: Learn how to collaborate effectively with AI systems. Understanding how to augment your capabilities with AI can lead to more efficient and innovative outcomes.
Specialize in ethical and responsible AI use: As AI becomes more prevalent, there will be a growing need for professionals who can navigate the ethical and societal implications of AI technology.
Enhance your adaptability: The ability to adapt to new roles and learn new skills will be invaluable. Be open to evolving your career path as the landscape changes.
Network and stay informed: Engage with communities and networks related to AI in your industry. Staying informed about how AI is being adopted and adapted can provide insights into where opportunities and threats might lie.
Seek out AI-related roles: Consider transitioning to roles that focus on developing, managing, or working alongside AI systems. This could involve roles in data analysis, AI training, or oversight.
Develop your unique human-centric perspective: No matter how advanced AI becomes, there will always be a need for the unique insights, creativity, and perspectives that humans bring to problem-solving and innovation.
Embracing a synergistic partnership between AI and human employees, where each contributes their respective strengths, can pave the way for a more effective, ethical, and progressive public service. By proactively developing the necessary skills and fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation, public service professionals can position themselves as valuable assets in this rapidly evolving landscape, shaping a future where AI and human ingenuity work in harmony to serve the greater good.
Originally published on LinkedIn, March 25, 2024.