Will you lose your job if AI comes to Oklahoma? Don’t dust off your resume, yet
As technology continues to shape the economy, Oklahoma is hoping to be at the front of the line with it comes to the next step: integrating artificial intelligence into its workforce. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has released a list of recommendations from his AI task force, which aim to make government more efficient and prepare the workforce for a future economy. Stitt believes that cutting redundant positions and replacing them with AI technology could result in more efficient employment and government services. However, some researchers suggest that AI is too expensive to replace people in many jobs. The state's strategy for AI is centered on investing in its people, fostering innovation and establishing ethical standards to pave the way for AI's transformative potential.
Published : 3 months ago by Ashley Moss/KFOR in Tech
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – As technology continues to shape the economy, Oklahoma is hoping to be at the front of the line with it comes to the next step: integrating artificial intelligence into its workforce.
This week, Governor Kevin Stitt released a list of final recommendations from his AI task force, which laid out strategies and goals to make government “more efficient”, while preparing the current workforce for a future economy.
“We’ve got low unemployment. We have people being very attracted to the state of Oklahoma. We want to be the most business friendly state,” Governor Stitt said in a prior interview with KFOR.
According to Governor Stitt, remaining business savvy and saving taxpayers money could mean cutting government jobs, and replacing them with artificial intelligence.
“AI also has the potential to help us steward taxpayer dollars in a more responsible way by cutting redundant positions and replacing some positions with AI technology. In Oklahoma, 21% of the workforce is employed by federal, state or local governments while the ideal percentage would be closer to 13%. Artificial intelligence creates possibilities for more efficient employment and government services,” he said this week in a statement to the station.
But, will the introduction of artificial intelligence in Oklahoma lead to job losses?
“Well, it could potentially happen, and it’s already happening,” said artificial intelligence researcher Thomas Fellows.
“It’s going to be tough for artificial intelligence to do things that involve creativity, emotional intelligence, and practical intelligence. But convergent tasks can be automated,” he added.
Unemployment rates remain low across the nation and in Oklahoma, where the numbers hovered around 3.4% for December, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics.
Joe McIntosh, Oklahoma’s Chief Information Officer said the state’s strategy for AI is centered on “Oklahoma’s people.
“Our strategy is centered on investing in our people, fostering innovation and establishing ethical standards to pave the way for a future where AI’s transformative potential benefits every citizen,” he said.
“There aren’t a lot of tech jobs in Oklahoma. So kudos to Governor Stitt for doing this and helping advance Oklahoma’s economy,” said Fellows.
“The best run states are going to utilize artificial intelligence.”
But, other researchers say – don’t dust off your resume, yet.
A new study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology suggests that AI is too expensive to replace people in many jobs.
Topics: AI