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How Knowledge Workers Think Generative AI Will (Not) Transform Their Industries

Allison Woodruff, Renee Shelby, Patrick Gage Kelley, Steven Rousso-Schindler, Jamila Smith-Loud, Lauren Wilcox

Abstract

Generative AI is expected to have transformative effects in multiple knowledge industries. To better understand how knowledge workers expect generative AI may affect their industries in the future, we conducted participatory research workshops for seven different industries, with a total of 54 participants across three US cities. We describe participants' expectations of generative AI's impact, including a dominant narrative that cut across the groups' discourse: participants largely envision generative AI as a tool to perform menial work, under human review. Participants do not generally anticipate the disruptive changes to knowledge industries currently projected in common media and academic narratives. Participants do however envision generative AI may amplify four social forces currently shaping their industries: deskilling, dehumanization, disconnection, and disinformation. We describe these forces, and then we provide additional detail regarding attitudes in specific knowledge industries. We conclude with a discussion of implications and research challenges for the HCI community.

How Knowledge Workers Think Generative AI Will (Not) Transform Their Industries

Abstract

Generative AI is expected to have transformative effects in multiple knowledge industries. To better understand how knowledge workers expect generative AI may affect their industries in the future, we conducted participatory research workshops for seven different industries, with a total of 54 participants across three US cities. We describe participants' expectations of generative AI's impact, including a dominant narrative that cut across the groups' discourse: participants largely envision generative AI as a tool to perform menial work, under human review. Participants do not generally anticipate the disruptive changes to knowledge industries currently projected in common media and academic narratives. Participants do however envision generative AI may amplify four social forces currently shaping their industries: deskilling, dehumanization, disconnection, and disinformation. We describe these forces, and then we provide additional detail regarding attitudes in specific knowledge industries. We conclude with a discussion of implications and research challenges for the HCI community.
Paper Structure (36 sections, 3 figures, 5 tables)

This paper contains 36 sections, 3 figures, 5 tables.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Background
  3. Generative AI Models
  4. Knowledge Work
  5. Generative AI and the Future of Knowledge Work
  6. Generative AI Impacts on Worker Tasks
  7. Sensationalized Generative AI Narratives
  8. Public Perception of AI
  9. Methodology
  10. Participants
  11. Workshops
  12. Analysis
  13. Limitations
  14. Findings
  15. Expected Impact of Generative AI
  16. ...and 21 more sections

Figures (3)

  • Figure 1: E6's industry map for education. During check-in participants were invited to draw a map of their industry or field.
  • Figure 2: One of A4's change cards, discussing their expectations regarding generative AI's ability to generate images. Participants completed change cards individually and then shared them in a facilitated discussion.
  • Figure 3: J5's policy suggests constraints on the use of generative AI in the newsroom. We lightly customized the policy handout to each group's industry. Participants completed their policy handouts individually and then shared them in a facilitated discussion.