Generative AI: Revolutionising the World of Work and the Key to Competitiveness

One of the most visible changes concerns the automation of routine tasks. This particularly affects professions that rely heavily on information processing and administrative procedures, such as customer care, data management or accounting. Generative AI models are now able to partially take over many of these tasks or to pre-structure them to a large extent. This (partial) automation goes far beyond manual processes and enables the generation of meaningful content that was previously reserved for humans. In line with Microsoft, almost all business software manufacturers are currently developing co-pilots or agents as an additional feature for their cloud software solutions, which are designed to do just that: support knowledge work with their software solutions in such a way that significant productivity and efficiency gains are possible. The first practical applications include, for example, the automatic creation and optimisation of standard contracts, analyses, reports or protocols.

Faster Solutions: Generative AI as a New Partner for Creativity and Knowledge Work

Another area in which generative AI is bringing about significant changes is in supporting creative processes. Whether it’s design tasks, content creation or the generation of solution variants, AI can serve as a source of inspiration and a tool for people. Designers, for example, use AI-generated prototypes and suggestions to develop ideas faster. Generative AI is also revolutionizing access to knowledge. Conversational systems make it possible to use data that was previously difficult for end users to access in an intuitive way. In the future, employees will be able to work with specific information from a database in a targeted manner. For example, it will be possible to request an explanation of an instruction manual without having to search through it manually. The conversational, self-explanatory product offers a great deal of potential. This form of knowledge provision opens new doors for the rapid and flexible use of company data – the possibilities seem almost endless. Despite the many possibilities that generative AI offers, humans remain indispensable as decision-makers. While AI systems can support and inspire, the final design and creative control remain in human hands. Generative AI acts as a ‘creative assistant’ that facilitates and optimises the work process.

Responsibility, Fairness, and Transparency: Why Education on Generative AI is Essential

The introduction of generative AI also raises questions about how responsibility is assumed. Which tasks should be completely handed over to AI systems? How can the traceability and fairness of AI-generated decisions be guaranteed, and the protection of personal data ensured? These questions present a new challenge that affects both employees and managers. Consequently, the importance of education and training in the area of generative AI is growing. The ability to understand these technologies, to create value with them and to work meaningfully with them, or to critically question AI outputs, is becoming a key skill in numerous professions.

Generative AI will profoundly and permanently change the world of work, companies and products – both technologically and culturally. Leaders who proactively shape this change and promote positive collaboration between humans and machines will successfully lead the companies and employees of tomorrow. It is not only a question of efficiency, but also of how to deal with new possibilities – and how to use them in the interest of customers, employees and the company, and also to develop competitive advantages.

The future of the working world is hybrid, the vision: hybrid intelligence – a collaboration between humans and (generative) AI in which the potential of human and machine intelligence is combined, with the machines taking on routine tasks and providing creative and administrative support, while humans retain control and responsibility.