Generative AI has been found to be more effective at improving below average skills than at enhancing top performers' abilities. Research has shown that individuals with lower initial performance levels experienced significantly greater improvement in their work quality when using generative AI, compared to high performers. This phenomenon has been observed across various studies, indicating that generative AI acts as a leveler, helping individuals with lower skills catch up, rather than significantly boosting the performance of already high achievers. This insight reflects the current state of the technology, showcasing its strength in lifting the floor of performance in tasks like writing, consulting, and programming, while exhibiting limited impact on raising the ceiling for top performers.
Today’s episode is about thinking practically about the AI revolution. Yes, it may one day usher in some now unthinkable utopia or dystopia. But in the meantime, our imperfect world exists, and your imperfect job exists, and you face a forced choice: Should you use this technology? And if so, how do you make it work for you? Kevin Roose, a tech columnist for The New York Times and the host of the podcast 'Hard Fork,' talks about how generative AI tools are already changing his job and others, including in medicine, consulting, and software development.
If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at PlainEnglish@Spotify.com.
Host: Derek Thompson
Guest: Kevin Roose
Producer: Devon Manze
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