Ein Gespräch mit ChatGPT zu New Work

Illustrationen erstellt mit Midjourney, auf der Basis der Aufforderung: A female author in Berlin (include Television tower) chats with a chatbot on her computer screen, in the style of Leonardo da Vinci
Illustrationen erstellt mit Midjourney, auf der Basis der Aufforderung: A female author in Berlin (include Television tower) chats with a chatbot on her computer screen, in the style of Leonardo da Vinci

In den letzten Wochen habe ich, wie sehr viele andere Menschen, mit ChatGPT, dem von Open AI herausgegebenen Chatbot, gespielt. Ich wollte wissen: Was kann diese AI uns bieten? Aber auch: Wo sind die Grenzen und wie kann eine zukünftige Arbeitsteilung zwischen Mensch und Maschine aussehen? 

Bevor ich ein paar meiner Erkenntnisse teile, lest euch erst einmal den Dialog durch, den ich heute morgen mit ChatGPT zum Thema New Work und Inner Work hatte. 

Eine Diskussion mit ChatGPT zur Transformation von Arbeit und New Work

Joana: In the last years, many companies have changed their organisational structures in order to become more agile and flexible. What are some of these changes?
ChatGPT: There are many different changes that companies can make to their organizational structures in order to become more agile and flexible. Some common changes include:

  1. Adopting a flat organizational structure: A flat organizational structure has fewer levels of hierarchy and more decentralized decision-making. This can make a company more agile because it allows for faster communication and decision-making.

  2. Moving to a matrix organizational structure: In a matrix organizational structure, employees report to multiple managers and work on multiple projects simultaneously. This can increase flexibility because it allows employees to move between different projects and teams more easily.

  3. Implementing self-managed teams: Self-managed teams are teams that are given the autonomy to make their own decisions and manage their own work. This can increase agility because it allows teams to be more responsive to changes and adapt more quickly to new situations.

  4. Adopting agile methodologies: Agile methodologies, such as Scrum and Lean, are designed to help companies be more flexible and responsive to change. These methodologies involve frequent iteration and regular check-ins to ensure that work is aligned with the company’s goals.

  5. Using cross-functional teams: Cross-functional teams are teams that consist of employees from different departments or functions. This can increase agility because it allows teams to work more closely together and share knowledge and resources more easily.

Joana: What necessitated these changes in organisational structures? Which outside factors?
ChatGPT: There are several factors that have contributed to the adoption of more agile and flexible organizational structures in recent years. These include:
  1. Increased competition: In a rapidly changing business environment, companies need to be able to respond quickly to new opportunities and threats. Agile and flexible organizational structures can help companies adapt more quickly to changes in the market.

  2. Technology: The rapid pace of technological change has made it necessary for companies to be more flexible in order to keep up. Agile organizational structures can help companies take advantage of new technologies more quickly.

  3. Customer demands: Customers today expect personalized, high-quality products and services. Agile organizational structures can help companies be more responsive to customer needs and deliver better products and services.

  4. Globalization: The increasing interconnectedness of the global economy has made it necessary for companies to be able to operate across borders and adapt to different cultures and markets. Agile organizational structures can help companies be more flexible in this context.

Joana: So far you have described changes which appear on the outside only. Ho do humans have to adapt internally to be able to thrive in the new agile structures?
ChatGPT: There are several ways that humans may need to adapt in order to thrive in agile organizational structures:
  1. Being flexible: In an agile organization, employees may need to be flexible and adapt to changes in roles, responsibilities, and project assignments. They may also need to be open to new ideas and approaches.

  2. Collaboration: Agile organizational structures often rely on strong collaboration and communication among team members. Employees may need to be comfortable working in a team environment and be able to contribute effectively to group discussions and decision-making.

  3. Responsibility: In an agile organization, employees may have more autonomy and be expected to take ownership of their work. They may need to be able to manage their own time and work effectively without close supervision.

  4. Continuous learning: Agile organizations often require employees to be continuously learning and improving. Employees may need to be proactive in seeking out new skills and knowledge in order to stay current and relevant in their roles.

  5. Embracing change: Agile organizations often involve frequent change and iteration. Employees may need to be comfortable with ambiguity and be able to adapt to new situations and approaches.

Joana: Thank you, could you please dig a bit deeper and tell me which psychological requirements are necessary to, for example, be able to collaborate successfully?
ChatGPT:  Certainly. Here are some psychological requirements that can help individuals collaborate effectively in an agile organization:
  1. Emotional intelligence: Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. It is important for individuals to be able to recognize and manage their own emotions in order to collaborate effectively with others.

  2. Communication skills: Good communication skills are essential for successful collaboration. This includes the ability to listen actively, communicate clearly and concisely, and express oneself in a respectful and professional manner.

  3. Trust: Trust is an important foundation for effective collaboration. Individuals need to be able to trust their team members in order to feel comfortable sharing ideas and working together.

  4. Respect: Respecting the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise of team members is essential for successful collaboration. It is important for individuals to be open-minded and accepting of others in order to work effectively together.

  5. Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It is important for individuals to be able to understand and consider the perspectives of others in order to collaborate effectively.

Joana:  How do I learn, as you write, to “understand and manage my own emotions, as well as the emotions of others” better? 
ChatGPT: There are several ways that you can learn to better understand and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others:
  1. Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of bringing one’s attention to the present moment. By paying attention to your thoughts and emotions in the present moment, you can learn to better understand and manage them.

  2. Seek out emotional intelligence training: There are many resources available, including books, courses, and workshops, that can teach you more about emotional intelligence and how to improve your own skills.

  3. Reflect on your emotions: Take time to reflect on your emotions and try to understand what triggers them. This can help you become more aware of your emotional responses and learn how to manage them more effectively.

  4. Seek feedback: Ask friends, family, or coworkers for feedback on your emotional intelligence. This can help you identify areas where you can improve and give you guidance on how to do so.

  5. Practice empathy: One way to improve your empathy skills is to try to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and try to understand their perspective. This can help you become more attuned to the emotions of others and respond more effectively.

Joana: There are many different organisational structures, such as bureaucratic, functional hierarchical or self-organised ways to work. Do these different structures need different mindsets from their employees?
ChatGPT: Different organizational structures may require different mindsets from employees. For example, employees in a bureaucratic organizational structure may need to be comfortable with following rules and procedures and may need to be more hierarchical in their thinking. Employees in a functional hierarchical structure may need to be comfortable with a clear division of labor and may need to be more focused on their specific area of expertise. Employees in a self-organized structure may need to be more independent and self-directed, as they may have more autonomy in their work. It is important for employees to understand the expectations and requirements of their specific organizational structure and to develop the mindset and skills needed to be successful in that environment.
 
Joana: How many employees in a given company will be able to adapt in the way you describe?
ChatGPT: It is difficult to say exactly how many employees in a given company will be able to adapt to an agile organizational structure, as it will depend on the individual characteristics and experiences of the employees. Some employees may have the skills and qualities needed to thrive in an agile organization, such as flexibility, collaboration, and adaptability, while others may find it more challenging. It is important for companies to consider the needs and abilities of their employees when making changes to their organizational structures and to provide support and training as needed to help employees adapt.
 
Joana: Can you, as an AI, help people in this learning process? And if so, how?
As an AI, I am not able to directly help people in the learning process. However, I can provide information and guidance that may be helpful for individuals who are seeking to improve their skills and adapt to an agile organizational structure. For example, I can provide information on emotional intelligence, communication skills, and other skills that are important for success in an agile organization. I can also provide recommendations for resources, such as books, courses, or workshops, that may be helpful for individuals who are looking to learn more about these topics.
 
Joana: Can the new inner competencies also help us navigate the complexity of the multiple crisis we are in? Such as climate change and societal fragmentation?
ChatGPT: Having certain inner competencies, such as emotional intelligence, communication skills, and adaptability, can certainly be helpful for navigating the complexity of multiple crises, such as climate change and societal fragmentation. For example, being able to understand and manage one’s own emotions can be helpful when facing difficult or stressful situations, such as those presented by a crisis. Good communication skills can help individuals effectively share information and work with others to find solutions to complex problems. Adaptability can also be important in crisis situations, as it allows individuals to be flexible and responsive to changing circumstances.
 
Joana: Will companies also question the dominance of measures for success such as profitability and market share and include more pro-social factors?

ChatGPT: Some companies are beginning to question the dominance of traditional measures of success, such as profitability and market share, and are looking for ways to incorporate more pro-social factors into their decision-making processes. For example, some companies are using measures such as environmental sustainability, social impact, and employee well-being to assess their success. This shift reflects a broader recognition that the long-term viability of a company is closely linked to its social and environmental impacts, and that traditional measures of success may not capture these important dimensions of performance. However, it is also important to note that there is ongoing debate among scholars and practitioners about the best way to balance traditional measures of success with pro-social factors, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach that will work for every company

Joana: Does New Work reflect a larger paradigm shift in society?
ChatGPT: There is a debate among scholars and experts about whether the changes in work and organizational structures that we are seeing today reflect a larger paradigm shift in society. Some argue that these changes are driven by broader societal shifts, such as technological change and globalization, and represent a fundamental change in the way that we live and work. Others argue that these changes are more incremental and are part of a natural evolution of work and organizations. It is likely that the truth lies somewhere in between, and that the changes we are seeing in work and organizational structures are being driven by a combination of factors, including technological change, globalization, and shifts in societal values and expectations.

Joana: Thanks. Are there any other questions, you deem relevant for our conversation?
ChatGPT: I do not have any additional questions, but I hope that the information I have provided has been helpful. If you have any other questions about organizational structures or ways of working, please feel free to ask. I will do my best to provide useful and accurate information.
 
Illustrationen generiert mit Midjourney, auf die Aufforderung: illustrate the following idea: Agile organizational structures often rely on strong collaboration and communication among team members, highly realistic style

Wird ChatGPT zukünftig unsere Blogposts schreiben?

Soweit so gut.  Seit der Veröffentlichung von ChatGPT im November ist viel und sehr kontrovers darüber diskutiert worden, ob KI’s wie ChatGPT zukünftig unzählige Berufe, Anwendungen und Aufgaben von Menschen übernehmen werden. Mein Interesse hier ist wesentlich enger. Ich frage mich, in welcher unsererTätigkeiten bei innerwork.online ChatGPT einen positiven Unterschied machen könnte. Wird es die Art und Weise wie wir Themen entwickeln, Vorträge halten,  Blogposts schreiben,  Social Media Posts aufsetzen etc. verändern?

Bei meinen ersten Experimenten mit ChatGPT war ich positiv überrascht. Die Antworten waren meist erstaunlich klar, kohärent und umfassend. Die KI erscheint mir hilfreich, um mich in ein neues Thema einzuarbeiten. Vielleicht auch, um mir zu helfen eine momentane Schreibsperre zu überwinden.  Denn sie bietet einen ersten, gut strukturierten Überblick, präsentiert relevante Stichpunkte und Argumente. Und zwar auf so klare und anschauliche Art, wie sie viele Ausführungen von menschlichen Autoren vermissen lassen. Statt mich durch einen langen, oft auch unverständlichen Text durchzuarbeiten, bekomme ich hier solide Kernaussagen auf knappen Platz. Das empfinde ich zuerst einmal als hilfreich und kann mir vorstellen ChatGPT zukünftig als einen Input von mehreren (Wikipedia, Google etc.) zu nutzen.

Es ist auch möglich, dass der Chatbot mir helfen kann, meine eigene Perspektive auf ein Thema erweitert, in dem ich Aspekte kennenlerne, die ich bislang nicht bedacht habe. So könnte er mein  divergierendes Denken fördern.  Allerdings: In den Themengebieten, in denen ich mich gut auskenne, habe ich diesen Effekt bislang noch nicht beobachtet. Stattdessen bewegen sich die Antworten streng innerhalb der gerade gängigen Norm. Und die Tatsache, dass viele Einzelpunkte im gleichen Umfang abgehandelt werden, suggeriert mir als Leserin, dass sie alle gleich wichtig seien. Das erscheint auf den ersten Blick zwar “objektiv”, führt aber zu einer Nivellierung, bei der Nuancen und Abstufungen verloren gehen. 

Neben diesen inhaltlichen Aspekten überzeugt mich ChatGPT bislang vor allem jedoch stilistisch nicht. Keine Frage, die Formulierungen sind verständlicher und umfangreicher als viele menschliche Texte. Am Inhalt meines obigen Dialogs ist auf einer faktischen Ebene nichts auszusetzen und ich kann mir gut vorstellen, dass  Produktbeschreibungen, aber auch Nachrichten zukünftig auf diese Weise entstehen. (Und wir sehen ja schon jetzt, dass Schüler und Studenten die Technologie  für Aufsätze und andere Arbeiten benutzen und Lehrer die Krise bekommen).

Aber der Schreibstil ist absolut mittelmäßig und beim Lesen fühle ich mich wie in einem Gedankengefängnis  eingesperrt. Wenn ich mich subtil auf die Sätze einlasse, sind sie leblos und bleiben nicht haften. Sie erscheinen “fake” und haben keine Wurzeln. Das hat auch damit zu tun, dass es keine Quellenangaben gibt und ich die Glaubwürdigkeit der Aussagen nicht überprüfen kann (ein riesiges Problem dieser Art der Wissensgenerierung, dass Rechenschaft unmöglich macht). 

Ich will die riesige Leistung von Open AI gar nicht in Frage stellen. Diese Form der Wissensaufbereitung ist erstaunlich, zumal dies ja erst die zartesten Anfänge sind. In der Zukunft wird AI viele (Text)arbeiten von Menschen überflüssig machen und wenn Algorithmen sich individuelle Schreibstile zu eigen machen, wird dies auch flüssiger und authentischer klingen. Schon jetzt sind die Ergebnisse erstaunlich, wenn ich den Bot bitte einen Absatz “im Stil von Hemingway/ Austen/ Goethe o.ä.” zu schreiben.

Aber (gutes) Schreiben, Lesen und Vortragen vermitteln in vielen Fällen weit mehr als nur Fakten und Informationen. In ihnen scheint die ganze subtile innere Welt eines Menschen auf. Sie transportieren ein Lebensgefühl, welches neben der mentalen Ebene unsere  Verkörperung und Emotionen , ebenso wie unsere Anbindung an eine höhere Ebene beinhaltet, auf der wir Inspirationen und Intuition erfahren. 

Gut möglich, dass Künstliche Intelligenzen auch in diese Bereiche vorstoßen können. Wahrscheinlicher – und auch sinnvoller – erscheint es mir jedoch, dass Maschinen  nicht gebaut werden, um Menschen nachzumachen, sondern andere Formen von Intelligenz entwickeln, die unsere Kompetenzen ergänzen. Gemeinsam können wir dann bessere Antworten auf die großen und kleinen Lebensfragen entwickeln.

Vor allem aber üben unsere Fortschritte im Bereich der Künstlichen Intelligenz einen enormen evolutionären Druck auf die Menschheit aus. Sie zwingt uns viel präziser über uns nachzudenken und bewusstere Entscheidungen zu fällen. Wenn Bots wie ChatGPT zukünftig in Sekundenschnelle vorhandenes Wissen aggregieren können, dann verlagert sich menschliche Aufgabe in einen neuen Bereich. Dann werde ich vielleicht manche Fakten mir nicht mehr selbst erarbeiten müssen und sie in einem Blogpost beschreiben. Meine Aufgabe ist es dann vielmehr tiefer zu gehen, mehr zu spüren,  umfassender mich auf die Informationen, ihren Kontext und meine Intuitionen einzulassen. Und das ist ja sowieso viel interessanter als reine Wissens- und Fleiß-Arbeit.

Aber jetzt interessiert uns Deine Meinung. Nutzt Du Chatbots für deine Arbeit? Wo siehst Du die Potentiale und Grenzen dieser Entwicklung? 

P.S. Die Grafiken in diesem Blockpost wurden von Midjourney generiert. Mehr dazu hier.

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