As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, one of the most frequently asked questions is whether artificial intelligence (AI) will replace humans in the workforce or assist them. Employees within Google DeepMind’s legal department may have found an answer.
Google DeepMind, an AI research lab under Google, has been using its Gemini AI model to process almost half of the information requests sent to its legal department. The revelation was made by Director of Strategic Initiatives, Terra Terwilliger, during the Fortune’s COO Summit held recently in Middleburg, Va.
AI: A Time-Saving Tool
The application of AI in legal departments is primarily for information retrieval. It aids in locating data that is available but not readily accessible. According to Terwilliger, this seemingly basic function significantly reduces time spent on data retrieval.
However, it’s not just Google DeepMind that’s leveraging AI for mundane tasks. Bayer, the pharmaceutical giant, also employs AI for regulatory filings related to its medication research and development process. The company’s Chief Operating Officer of its global pharmaceuticals division, Sebastian Guth, stated that AI was used to fill out between 70% and 80% of these global regulatory dossiers.
Streamlining Workflows with AI
Although the specifics may differ, both Google and Bayer primarily use AI to enhance their operational efficiency, a term coined by Guth as “workflow efficiencies.”
Terwilliger further elaborated on this, stating that there is ample paperwork that can be automated, allowing skilled workers to focus on more significant tasks.
However, integrating AI into workflows is not an overnight process. It requires substantial effort to train employees on the effective use of AI. Terwilliger urged COOs to value and reward the time and effort employees invest in learning these new systems.
Guth also warned against the use of technology for its own sake. He emphasized that technology should serve as a means to an end, not an end in itself.
AI: An Aid, Not a Replacement
While AI is being increasingly incorporated into various industries, Guth believes that it will not replace human jobs, especially in the pharmaceutical industry. Understanding the complexity of a cell’s evolution requires human capacity and the art of science, he said.
In conclusion, as companies continue to explore and implement AI, it’s clear that the technology is here to assist employees, not replace them. It’s about making the most of what AI has to offer – improved efficiency and time-saving benefits – while continuing to value the irreplaceable human element.
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