Breakfast With ChatGPT: Three Workers, One Morning, A Different AI Story
I arrived in Cleveland, Ohio, for the significant 50th anniversary of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention. The hallways were bustling with conversations, mainly revolving around AI. However, the sentiment was one of caution, with a recurring theme: 'we must protect ourselves.' The consensus was clear—AI was deemed a threat, ready to replace human jobs.
During a breakfast at Betts, the hotel restaurant, a discussion with my waiter provided a fresh perspective on AI. As I inquired about AI usage, Kevin Knestrick, 49, hesitated before revealing his first encounter with it. “I used it when we changed the menu. A photo uploaded to ChatGPT, and it copied the text for a colleague's message—it was a time-saver,” he shared.
Kevin introduced me to younger colleagues, Jamie Sargent, 31, and Dawud Hamzah, 37. They depicted AI as integral, not as a threat. For Hamzah, a motivational speaker and founder of H.Y.P.E (Helping You Produce Excellence), ChatGPT has replaced Google as his go-to resource.
Hamzah utilizes ChatGPT for creating structured PowerPoint presentations and personal escapades like planning his partner's birthday itinerary or even acting as a health advisor for his back issues. Sargent, a former special education teacher, spoke highly of using ChatGPT since 2022. For him, it streamlines creating lesson plans, allowing better focus on student-specific tailoring.
Both Hamzah and Sargent view AI pragmatically. They anticipate job losses but stress adaptability. “You have to learn and adjust,” Hamzah advised. “Be part of the irreplaceable human experience,” Sargent added.
Kevin, representing another demographic, turned to AI out of necessity for a menu change, finding it decisively helpful. His curiosity grew, transforming him into a cautious AI convert. Conversations about finance and investments followed, pondering AI's potential benefits for the 'little guy.'
Their manager, Curtis Helser, 56, views AI as a versatile tool. It reminded me of the cautious optimism of many, a reminder that hands-on professions see AI as an assistant rather than a competitor.
The juxtaposition of these experiences with the cautious atmosphere at the journalism convention was enlightening. Whereas some perceive an existential threat in AI, for many, it proves to be a valuable tool. The revolution isn't headline-worthy here; it's the quiet enhancements to everyday life.
