AI is hallucinated and we do too

Since the explosion of AI began around 2020-2021, online discussions have been filled with clichéd phrases. Not only does AI itself produce 'hallucinations' in its outputs, but humans also get lost in unrealistic visions about this technology.

Misunderstanding

It is not exaggerated when saying AI is deified by numerous businesses, writers and technology reviewers. Most online discourse focuses on the ability of AI, especially how it can “change your life and workflow”. This is only half the truth. However, sellers take advantage of FOMO to promote their products. This includes everything from AI books and courses to AI instruction. At times, social media feeds can be overrun with AI content and images, leading some people to speak as if they've mastered AI simply by reading a few articles about using chatbots with the perfect prompt

In fact, it is how mechanisms of social consciousness work, and content creators know that. If a message is repeated day by day, consumers will adopt it naturally without doubt. As a result, people can gradually develop unrealistic expectations about artificial intelligence. With the right prompt, they can solve any task at work. In fact, AI merely mimics human logic and feelings. It had zero experience about overcoming hurdles itself so it repeats the answer when users try to have a deeper conversation. Some people might blame it on prompt, not the AI. Why? Because of the limits on cognitive biases. They can get stuck in a loop of asking and answering with AI, which is meaningless and can make their brains lazier over time.Finally, they reluctantly accept the result from the chatbot which they find the most satisfying.

Is it the answer we truly want to find? No. “Le mot juste”, Gustave Flaubert said. It means that people have to engage fully in the world of literacy and not be satisfied with something makeshift. AI is helping us but we have to be wiser. 

The AI Wave

The illusions surrounding AI aren't confined to individual perceptions; they've permeated organizations and businesses alike. Fueled by media campaigns and social media buzz, blind faith in technology has solidified, turning AI into an undeniable symbol of the future. Yet, it's precisely at this juncture that the AI wave is becoming clearer than ever, marked by concrete figures and real-world consequences. No longer just about enticing advertisements or "life-changing" courses, AI is directly impacting labor structures and how businesses operate. Initial misunderstandings led to an idealization of AI, but now, we're forced to confront the reality that artificial intelligence isn't merely a supporting tool; it's a driving force for profound change in the job market.

According to projections from the World Economic Forum, nearly half of all businesses will reduce their workforce to integrate AI into operations by 2025. Furthermore, by 2030, close to 60% of the global workforce will require reskilling to meet new demands.

The banking sector, for instance, is witnessing a decline in the need for tellers due to the widespread adoption of digital banking. Accountants also face the risk of displacement by AI software capable of automating their tasks.

In Vietnam, one company notably reduced its workforce by a third while simultaneously boosting efficiency by 3-4 times, all thanks to AI robots that can organize items faster and more effectively than humans. Other companies are also starting to leverage AI for tasks like evaluation and data analysis.

Previously, concerns centered on how a lack of education might lead to manual labor. However, AI now threatens to replace even specialized jobs. This reality demands that we prepare for new, as-yet-unseen roles. AI is creating opportunities, requiring people to continuously learn and adapt.

Undeniably, AI is steadily becoming humanity's "new colleague." Tech companies have already begun reporting the number of "digital employees" alongside their traditional workforce. A new understanding of the labor market is gradually taking shape: no job is stable forever.

Confront Instability

The rapid advancements in technology and shifts in the economy are presenting Generation Z (born 1997–2012) and Generation Alpha (born 2013 onwards) with unprecedented challenges.

Some young people are ready to change jobs in pursuit of their passions. These individuals might invest in learning new skills and boldly venture into uncharted territory. To older generations, such decisions might seem quite risky.

From another perspective, this behavior reflects the fast-evolving reality of the labor market, driven by external factors like the explosion of AI and internal desires to find one's true self in a new era. On the positive side, these young people are diligently learning and unafraid to innovate daily, boosting their adaptability. On the negative, individuals in Gen Z and Gen Alpha face immense psychological pressure as they build their careers.

The world is changing at a dizzying pace. Gen Z and Gen Alpha can't just rely on what they learned in university. Learning an additional trade or expanding a new skill isn't a failure; it's a way to seize opportunities.

From an educational standpoint, a segment of young people may struggle to adapt to the rapid changes in the job market. This can lead to them becoming passive, missing out on opportunities for well-paying jobs.

If an engineering degree once held value for 35 years, now, after just a few years, half the knowledge is obsolete.

According to UNESCO, lifelong learning is built on four pillars: learning to know, learning to do, learning to live together, and learning to be. In the context of AI, the first two pillars—learning to know and learning to do—become more critical than ever. Workers need to know how to apply knowledge in practical ways to enhance their self-worth.