Many assume that AI industry leaders use AI in advanced ways, but that’s not the case. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, for example, mostly uses AI for everyday tasks. He relies on it to summarize emails and documents.
“I use [AI] in the boring ways,” Altman said on ReThinking podcast. “I use it for like, ‘Help me process all of this email’ or ‘Help me summarize this document.'”
Other Executives Rely on AI for Routine Work
Altman is not alone in using AI for mundane tasks. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang mentioned at a Wired event in December that he uses AI chatbots to help draft written content. Additionally, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella makes use of Outlook’s AI features to manage his inbox, as he shared at the Fast Company Innovation Festival 2024.
How AI Use Mirrors That of Many Professionals
Even though these CEOs lead the AI industry, their personal use of AI is similar to that of many professionals. A Gallup survey from last year shows that the most common uses of AI include idea generation, consolidating information, and automating routine tasks.
The Future of AI: Agents Instead of Tools
Altman believes AI will soon evolve beyond simple tasks. In fact, he sees AI “agents” as the next big step in AI development. These agents could handle multi-step tasks with minimal input from users, providing more comprehensive assistance.
OpenAI’s Operator: A Step Toward AI Agents
To move closer to this vision, OpenAI recently launched Operator, a new feature within ChatGPT. It can automate tasks like vacation planning, filling out forms, making reservations, and even ordering groceries. Other major tech companies, including Google, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Anthropic, are also working on similar AI-powered agents, CNBC Make It reported.
The Limitations of AI Agents
Despite their potential, Altman emphasized that these agents won’t be perfect. They will still need human supervision, may struggle with certain tasks, and will not generate groundbreaking ideas. However, he sees them as capable of performing many complex tasks typically handled by experienced software engineers.
Current Workplace Adoption of AI
As of now, AI adoption in workplaces is still relatively low. A McKinsey & Company report from January revealed that only about 13% of U.S. employees currently use AI at work. However, as AI agents become more capable, this number is likely to grow.
The Impact of AI Agents on Workplaces
As AI agents continue to evolve, they have the potential to transform how industries use technology on a daily basis. More professionals may start integrating AI into their routines, automating tasks, and streamlining workflows, ultimately changing the nature of work itself.
