AI will enhance productivity – Microsoft

Microsoft, the esteemed multinational technology corporation, has stated that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will serve as a catalyst for productivity enhancement instead of posing a threat to job security.

During a virtual gathering of the Microsoft Africa AI Journalists Academy, Mr. Ayanda Ngcebetsha, the esteemed Director of Data and AI at Microsoft, South Africa, said that beyond its positive impact on productivity, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can amplify creativity and transform tedious, repetitive tasks into more dynamic and evolving endeavours.

Mr Ayanda Ngcebetsha, the Director of Data and AI at Microsoft, South Africa, said at a virtual Microsoft Africa AI Journalists Academy that apart from improved productivity, AI would enhance creativity and evolve mundane tasks, among others.

The director said: “As against the misconception of AI taking over jobs, after improved productivity, empowering on AI rather than job loss comes next for business leaders.

“Amid concerns of replacing jobs, data from an illustration by Manuel Bortoletti shows that business leaders are looking to empower people with AI rather than replace them. AI is around us, yet invisible and working aside us to enhance creativity rather than working against creativity.”

He believes CEOs prioritize using AI to boost productivity over reducing their workforce, based on available corporate data, where cutting headcount ranks lowest in leaders’ AI preferences.

“After increasing productivity, leaders’ top hopes for AI are to help employees with necessary but repetitive tasks and increase employee wellbeing.

“They also want to eliminate employee time spent on low-value activities, enhance employees’ capabilities, and accelerate employees’ pace of work,’’ the Microsoft director said.

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He emphasized that embracing AI as an ally can enhance our productivity in our areas of expertise. He highlighted that AI is meant to collaborate with humans, serving as a daily companion in our tasks and endeavours.

Ngcebetsha said that AI could help lift the burden on humans, adding that to date, AI had mostly been on autopilot, but the next-generation copilots would work alongside people.

“AI will work alongside people freeing them from digital debt and fuelling innovation. Organisations that embrace AI will unleash creativity and unlock productivity for everyone – ushering in a new wave of productivity growth and value creation,” he said.

During the virtual session, Trusha Vanmali, Business Programme Manager, underscored the advantages of AI serving as a co-pilot, particularly for journalists.

Vanmali mentioned that AI, functioning as a copilot, features a conversational assistant tool that boosts creativity and refines search engine results. For journalists, AI aids in increasing productivity, fostering creativity, and streamlining workflow.

Meanwhile, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella labelled generative AI as spearheading the technological revolution, declaring 2023 as the year AI entered the mainstream. He anticipated that in 2024, AI tools would liberate time for engaging in more creative and fulfilling cognitive tasks.