Microsoft says AI will improve productivity, employees’ well- being
DEBUNKING widespread myths about Artificial Intelligence ( AI) and its applications, especially as regards negative impacts on jobs, Microsoft Corporation has provided insights into how it approaches AI development and ethics.
Speaking during a virtual session of Microsoft Africa AI Journalists Academy, Director of Data and AI, Microsoft South Africa, Ayanda Ngcebetsha, and Business Program Manager, Microsoft South Africa, Trusha Vanmali, stressed that AI would improve productivity rather than take over jobs.
“The importance of AI tools in summarising reports, carrying out accurate research, imputing language translation and coordinating several meetings in one day, while making the best use of the available time cannot be underestimated,” they explained.
The duo noted that although 2023 was the year AI went mainstream, 2024 would be the year in which AI tools would help free up time for more creative and fulfilling cognitive work.
Ngcebetsha said that AI was around us, yet invisible, and working aside from us to enhance creativity rather than working against creativity.
He said copilot, which is an AI tool, could help content developers in writing, coding, summarising and searching for specific information like charts and tables that would help them develop good reports in less time.
“Copilot is like a personal assistant that works alongside the user in all sorts of digital applications, helping with things like writing, coding, summarising and searching. It can also help the user to make decisions and understand lots of data. The recent development of large language models made copilots possible, allowing them to comprehend natural human language and provide answers, create content or take action as people work within different computer programmes,” he stated.