AI will diversify human thinking, not replace it: Tata Communications study

A new study by Tata Communications on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace finds that AI will diversify human thinking, rather than replace it. Carried out in collaboration with UC Berkeley professor Ken Goldberg, the study is based on inputs from 120 global business leaders like Tony Blair, Executive Chair of the Institute of Global Change and former UK Prime Minister, who said that "AI will allow us to do what it is that we are uniquely meant to do: focus on high-level thinking, strategy, and paving the way for innovation."

According to the study, 90% leaders agreed that cognitive diversity is important for management and 93% believe AI will enhance decision making. Three out of four expect AI to create new roles for their employees.

Ken Goldberg, UC Berkeley professor and co-author of the report, said “The prevalent narrative around AI has focussed on a ‘Singularity’ – a hypothetical time when artificial intelligence will surpass humans. But there is a growing interest in ‘Multiplicity’, where AI helps groups of machines and humans collaborate to innovate and solve problems. This survey of leading executives reveals that Multiplicity, the positive and inclusive vision of AI, is gaining traction.”


The study further found that AI could enhance cognitive diversity within groups, which could yield better outputs, while helping employees become more nimble and agile.

Co-author Vinod Kumar, CEO and Managing Director at Tata Communications, said, “AI is now being viewed as a new category of intelligence that can complement existing categories of emotional, social, spatial, and creative intelligence. What is transformational about Multiplicity is that it can enhance cognitive diversity, combining categories of intelligence in new ways to benefit all workers and businesses.”