Engaging in a frantic race, Microsoft (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook...) and its rival Google (Google Docs, Gmail...) both announced in mid-March that AI would be nested in each of their business software "in a few months". Both have announced the launch of tests now.

Hence the multiplication of studies to predict a major impact of AI on the world of work, with hundreds of millions of jobs disrupted or even replaced.

"All activities will be affected, in all sectors," says Nicolas Gaudemet, AI expert at Onepoint.

Globally, according to a Goldman Sachs study published on Sunday, about two-thirds of current jobs could even undergo some degree of automation and generative AI (which produces content) replace up to a quarter of tasks.

Extrapolating, the bank calculates that generative AI could cause the automation of the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs. Administrative and legal functions would be the most affected. This innovation will also create new jobs and professions.

A factor in increasing productivity, "it could eventually increase annual world GDP by 7%," concludes the bank.

- 'Hard to do without' -

The demonstration videos from Microsoft and Google show the range of possibilities: presentations from a text, data analysis from Excel, pre-written emails, intelligent mailbox management...

The big change will also be that the user will be able to formulate his requests in natural language, without having to master the mysteries of these software.

"The interface IS the revolution," said Françoise Soulié-Fogelman, a pioneer of AI in France, at a symposium organized Tuesday by France Digitale, which claims to be the first association of start-ups in Europe.

"Once you have tasted these tools, it will be difficult to do without them. We will be able to do more things and faster, such as reading summaries instead of an entire document. Companies that do not seize it quickly will remain behind," says the OnePoint expert, who foresees increased needs for training and career management.

"We must help our companies grow with AI, otherwise we are dead," said Françoise Soulié-Fogelman. "Should we rely on it entirely? No! But use it? Of course!".

With the key, a windfall for Microsoft and Google who will be able to charge more for this new service. But additional challenges for companies to manage.

Among those already working with AI, two-thirds say it has automated tasks but half add that it has generated new tasks, shows an OECD survey of 5,000 employees and 2,000 companies in Europe and the United States, published on March 23. And three-quarters of users say AI has accelerated their pace of work.

While 80% of users believe that AI has improved their performance at work, 14% to 19% are very worried about losing their job or that AI will reduce wages.

In addition, 57% of employees want a ban on using AI to decide on layoffs and 40% for recruitment. Above all, half fear that AI applications in their company will collect information about them or how they work, with the feeling of increased pressure on their performance.

© 2023 AFP