Afraid of AI? Sascha Lobo explains why a can-do attitude is needed now!
Sascha Lobo appeared at the Work Culture Festival at Orgatec 2024 in Cologne to talk about ‘Digitalisation in the world of work: Germany needs an AI jolt’. He emphasised the importance and urgency of artificial intelligence (AI) and pointed out that AI is no longer a vision of the future. With the introduction of ChatGPT, OpenAI had already shown how comprehensively AI can – and will – change areas of work.
Sascha Lobo, who helped shape the concept of ‘New Work’ back in 2006 with his book ‘Wir nennen es Arbeit’, emphasised in his presentation that the next phase of the ‘emancipation of work’ will be driven by AI. His focus was on the necessary cultural change in the world of work, in particular on overcoming the fears and uncertainties that often accompany AI.
Sascha Lobo on the jolt that Germany needs
A major topic in Lobo’s presentation was the widespread fear among employees that they could be replaced by AI and the uncertainty as to how they could utilise the technology for themselves. According to Lobo, this fear could act as a brake on projects and should therefore be taken seriously. He called for these fears to be addressed openly and appealed to companies, society and institutions to take a closer look at them. Otherwise, he warned, Germany could fall behind in AI development. Lobo also pointed out that a positive attitude towards AI could not only promote innovation, but also advance the work culture as a whole.
From ChatGPT to the 2024 fax machine: why Germany must finally kick-start AI
Lobo cited the example of Google to illustrate how AI can be successfully prioritised. Google has invested billions, hired numerous experts and even brought Nobel Prize winners onto the team. But despite these resources, a relatively small start-up launched the revolutionary ChatGPT on the market in 2022. This shows that it is not only capital and expertise that are crucial, but also agility and the willingness to take risks. Germany, on the other hand, needs to act faster in adapting new technologies instead of, as Lobo joked, still being preoccupied with evaluating the best fax machines in 2024.
Changes in work culture: more courage and entrepreneurial spirit
Sascha Lobo pointed out that every new technology requires an adaptation of human behaviour. AI-based data analyses could transform entire industries, such as Weight Watchers, where calorie counting is now carried out using photo analysis. People are increasingly open to sharing data, and this openness is crucial for successful digitalisation. For Sascha Lobo, it is clear that the necessary change towards a more entrepreneurial culture requires more courage and a willingness to experiment.
Sustainable career choices and skills
When asked about his assessment of career choices for the younger generation, Lobo gave some familiar advice: you should continue to pursue what you are really passionate about, but also think about economic feasibility. His key message: Germany now needs bold, decisive change in order to utilise the full potential of AI in the world of work.
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