Is there a use for AI in the workplace?

Many of us have recently become familiar with Chat GPT, an artificial intelligence chatbot. But how many of us are using Chat GPT for work? and should we?

Recently, I have had a number of clients mention that they have used Chat GPT to help with a task at work. Most only had positive comments about the use of the chatbot. It is clear that AI can help employees with;

1. 1. Ideas and creativity for a specific task. An employee may be struggling to find an idea to overcome an issue or task and may need a push in the right direction. AI could be the solution for this and may create better ideas contributing to the success of the company.
   2. Productivity may increase. Imagine if you didn’t have to write the whole text of a lengthy document. You simply provide some information, and you have a template to work with. Leaving employees time to focus on other aspects of their role that may have been neglected.
   However, there are potential drawbacks of AI and its use in the workplace;
   1. Mistakes and inaccuracies can be common. There are limits with the chatbot and employees do need to be specific and have some knowledge of the topic to ensure it is accurate and correct. The chatbot may not produce the right answer and it may take some significant tweaking to make it suitable.
   An individual who was recently a litigant in person presented case law obtained through Chat GPT at a hearing. Rather embarrassingly for the individual, the judge confirmed that one of the cases was entirely made up and did not exist. While this is an extreme example, it highlights the mistakes the chatbot can make. Employees should ensure that the content is reviewed carefully.
   2. US engineers have carried out the first stages of training the chatbot, meaning employees need to be aware of spelling and grammatical differences when using the chatbot to create work to present in the UK. Also, the chatbot doesn’t identify copyright material.
   3. A risk to confidentiality. The chatbot can give away confidential information about the company, if sensitive information was input into the chatbot by an employee trying to solve a problem, the chatbot may present this information in answering another users query. Employers should really consider this drawback and whether they want their employees using this. They may accidentally disclose confidential or protected information.

   It is clear that there are great benefits of employees using AI, albeit the limitations need to be known so that employees do not fall foul of a glitch or a mistake, which could be embarrassing!  

   If you are going to allow employees to use AI in the workplace, it may be worth considering training employees on the technology and its limitations to help protect your company.

   Leah Vaghela, Solicitor