There is a paradox at the heart of generative artificial intelligence. For some time it has been clear that compared with humans, large language models are far more capable of completing very challenging tasks.
More than two years ago, we had evidence that Open AI’s ChatGPT can comfortably pass difficult exams such as the notorious US Law School Admission Test and Ivy League MBA finals. The latest models consistently turn out high-quality written work, producing essays that educators are unable to distinguish from those written by postgraduate students.
Yet there has been, to date, little evidence of AI causing large-scale disruption to the labour market, even in occupations that are reportedly at very high risk. What’s going on?