**AI is Increasingly Augmenting Human Labour, but at What Cost?**
New research from artificial intelligence companies suggests that their tools are being used to augment human labour, not replace it. However, the picture is more complex when we drill down into the actual data.
A key metric for measuring AI usage is “tokens” – small chunks of text that AI systems use to understand, analyse, and generate language. On average, one token is roughly equivalent to three-quarters of an hour of human labour. According to the data, the number of tokens being generated by AI systems has been steadily increasing over the past year.
Augmentation, Not Automation
The data shows that while AI systems are being used to perform an increasing number of tasks, the vast majority of these tasks are being carried out alongside human workers. In fact, the number of workers using AI tools has grown significantly over the past year, with **80%** of companies reporting that they are using AI to augment human labour.
This trend is particularly evident in industries such as healthcare and finance, where AI systems are being used to support human professionals with tasks such as data analysis and decision-making. For example, in healthcare, AI systems are being used to help doctors diagnose patients more accurately and quickly, freeing up time for more complex and high-value tasks.
What this means
The fact that AI systems are being used to augment human labour rather than replace it is a significant development. It suggests that companies are recognizing the value of combining human skills and expertise with the capabilities of AI, rather than trying to automate tasks entirely.
For workers, this means that AI is likely to become an increasingly important tool in their daily work, rather than a replacement for their jobs. However, it also highlights the need for workers to develop skills that are complementary to those of AI systems, such as creativity, empathy, and complex problem-solving.
**The Future of Work**
As AI continues to evolve and improve, it’s likely that we’ll see even more widespread adoption of these tools in the workplace. While there are undoubtedly challenges associated with this trend, there are also significant opportunities for workers and companies to benefit from the increased productivity and efficiency that AI can bring.
