2023-11-25 08:07:31
Job killer or engine? In the debate about artificial intelligence, the effects of AI programs like ChatGPT are controversial. McKinsey researchers emphasize the opportunities in a study.
Düsseldorf.
Text robots like ChatGPT or Bard, image generators like Stable Diffusion and other so-called generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) programs could noticeably alleviate the shortage of skilled workers in Germany. This emerges from a study by the management consultancy McKinsey & Company, which was published on Saturday in Düsseldorf.
The researchers pointed to the high number of vacancies on the German labor market, which has quadrupled since 2004 to over 800,000 in 2022. The early introduction of GenAI could counteract the trend: “The technology has the potential to partially automate work steps, relieve people of routine work and thus create new freedom for creative work and innovation. This could also compensate for the overall slowdown in productivity growth of the past decades ” said Holger Hürtgen, partner in McKinsey’s Düsseldorf office.
However, not all sectors would benefit equally from alleviating the skills shortage. The use of generative AI is particularly promising for activities that require a high level of education. “These activities are complex and therefore benefit greatly from optimization and automation.” For example, jobs in the areas of law, further education or natural sciences/mathematics/computer science (such as software architects) could benefit. However, physical work such as in the construction or agricultural sectors would hardly be influenced by this type of AI.
Germany is suitable for an AI leadership role
The study also calculates the economic impact of an early introduction of GenAI: By 2040, the gross domestic product (GDP) in Germany could be increased by up to 585 billion euros, which would correspond to an increase of 13 percent.
According to McKinsey experts, Germany has a solid foundation to take on an AI leadership role in Europe or even worldwide. “Europe needs local driving forces in a pan-European network in order to jointly shape the transformative power of GenAI and not lose touch with the USA and China,” says Gérard Richter, head of McKinsey Digital in Germany and Europe.
However, there is a lack of investment in the topic of AI in the Federal Republic, say the study authors. “Germany is an entrepreneurial but underfinanced country with great potential to take on a European leadership role.” Countries like Great Britain, Switzerland and France are better positioned here. When it comes to the ability to create AI applications, Germany is at the top in a European comparison and is in third place worldwide behind the USA and China. (dpa)
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