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Artificial intelligence (AI) has not advanced to the point where it is performing much state work – yet. Although there are functions that AI can assist public employees with, state workplaces are exploring the use of AI carefully. OCSEA’s current negotiated contract ensures that the union will be involved in decisions about implementation of AI in state agencies, according to OCSEA President Chris Mabe.

Many roles can never be filled by AI because of the human component that is essential.

“State employees are the social safety net for the citizens of Ohio,” Mabe said. “We don’t rely on technology to provide that safety net. It’s us.”

For instance, while AI may be used to evaluate claims processing like disability claims or unemployment compensation, each individual situation is different. Computers don’t have emotional intelligence, but state employees do.

“The human component is there,” Mabe said, explaining that each application still needs to be vetted by a person.

The Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation has used traditional AI to simplify data processing, according to Dylan Miller, a Software Development Specialist 4 with the agency.

“As far as our agency goes, we’ve been using AI in the older definition for a while to analyze data,” he said. “We are looking at the newer generative AI so our software developers can get answers for coding, semantics, and specific languages. We’re just starting to ramp up on that.”

David Hwang, a Software Development Specialist 4 with the Ohio State Board of Education, has heard of some state agencies looking to use AI to extract information that citizens upload in applications.

“It would be starting small by integrating AI to free up a person’s time,” Hwang said. “It’s a similar concept to calculators or power tools helping, giving more oomph.”

“To be prepared for the future, you need to treat AI as a new, junior co-worker, who should make your work lighter and more efficient,” Hwang said.

Hwang has mixed reviews on AI in software development as a coding assistant.

“AI can definitely speed up junior coders,” he said. “Senior coders are typically more efficient. Sometimes AI can cause more noise and inconvenience, so some seniors find that they have to turn off the assistant.”

Awhile back, Hwang saw AI in action while he was on a remote call with a consulting business owner.

“His AI assistant joined the call first,” Hwang said. “That was my first time seeing that. It was his note taker.”

“That’s where I see things trending: Having a virtual agent that can help out with low-level, easy questions,” Hwang added. “Most everybody is leaning towards self-service that’s available 24-7 online, so bots can be used for assistance around-the-clock.”

Hwang has tested AI’s performance in writing scripts on completely new and unfamiliar platforms.

“Taking the solution that ChatGPT gave me, I could see what it was trying to do and why it was not working at first,” Hwang said. “ChatGPT can assist. It did 80-90 % of the work. I took it across the finish line.”

Miller agrees that while there are advantages to using AI to save time, there are also downsides to it.

“Rather than having a team of a dozen people look at millions and millions of rows of data, it’s certainly much faster to have AI look at it,” he said. “Old AI finds common trends. It’s similar with generative AI in that it saves a lot of time trying to find an answer.”

Generative AI works with the information it finds from many sources. It can potentially “make up” answers or information.

“The downside is that you have to double-check everything that it gives you,” Miller cautioned. “It’s potentially a great starting point, but AI is under no obligation to give you a truthful answer.”

There are applications for AI in union business as well. Otter AI is a program that records conversation and then processes and organizes the information.

“A lot of our chapters record our meetings,” Mabe said. “That helps us keep accurate financials and minutes. It helps make sure that what we say is captured.”

“It will summarize ‘What tasks was Chris assigned to?’” Mabe said.

AI is ideal for synthesizing information. Microsoft Copilot, an application that analyzes documents, has streamlined grievance preparation.

“These are easily available tools that use common language and prompts to get information and compile data,” Mabe said. “In the grievance process, a manager says a member has done something wrong so we ask, ‘What are the ways that the contract is being violated?’”

“We would have to go through a 40-page document for the staff to understand,” he said. “Copilot can summarize the information in a quarter of the time.”

The last step is validating the information.

“The more you use it, the more it has the capabilities to learn,” Mabe said.

When using Copilot, settings are established so the information stays local to your internal system, not general interest.

“Data security is of utmost importance,” Mabe said. “This maintains the data integrity of your organization.”

Other uses for AI in compiling or analyzing data include ranking job applicants based on their resumes and preparing for contract negotiations.

“We’re trying to teach it our contract,” Mabe said, explaining that both the state and union proposals can be input as data.

Mabe uses the program to prioritize the hundreds of e-mails that fill his inbox daily.

“Copilot goes through the e-mails based on key words,” Mabe said. “I can knock out the heavy things and then get to the light things.”

What should State employees do about AI?

As with all changes in the workplace, being part of making decisions is important. There are times that employees do not get a say in the change, so they need to take control of their response.

“I think OCSEA members should be diligent,” Mabe said. “Request training. Increase knowledge and awareness of AI.”

“Contact OCSEA if there’s any threat to job loss,” he said. “Let us know how it affects your job.” Maib said.

The cliché is true: Knowledge is power. UET enables eligible bargaining unit employees to take charge of their careers and affords them the opportunity to learn about AI. Many of the schools UET partners with offer courses in AI tech and how to use it. Search the UET website by course or school or location to find the training that fits your schedule.

“This is the next industrial revolution: The technology revolution,” Mabe said. “If we don’t get education about it, we will be absorbed by it.”

There are many state jobs that have changed dramatically over the last three or four decades, Mabe said. One example is how secretaries have become data clerks and are now programmers.

“They’ve gone from using a typewriter to operating a computer to using voice commands on a phone at home,” Mabe said. “It’s the progression of work.”

“Bridge inspectors used to propel off bridges on ropes. Now they use drones to take high-definition video to review,” he added. “We’re doing inventories on job classifications. All of these things have changed over the decades.”

People have a variety of reactions to AI, from curiosity to panic, both Mabe and Hwang agree. For some, there are concerns about job loss and relief at reaching retirement age.

“Some are really worried about it, almost panicking, asking ‘Am I going to be out of a job?’” Hwang said. “Others are apathetic, saying ‘When it gets here, I’ll worry about it.’”

“There is a third group that is hopeful and curious,” he said. “I choose to look at the potential for good. It’s something we need to get prepared for. We need to future-proof ourselves.”

Miller agrees that AI has been met with both curiosity and skepticism. He suggests that people should be curious and learn about AI, but not worry.

“I think AI potentially holds value and could help in certain situations,” he said. “I don’t think it’s going to solve all the world’s problems overnight, though. We have a long way to go before that can happen.”

AI’s future abilities and applications may be uncertain, but what is certain is that AI is in your workplace today and it is not going anywhere. State workers have a great opportunity to gain new knowledge and skills regarding the technology so that they can prepare themselves for future jobs and maintain overall relevance in the workforce. OCSEA bargaining unit members have a strong advantage in this regard over other State employees in that they have their Union Education Trust benefits to assist them in furthering their education and skill development. Take time to review course offerings on UET today and apply for your benefits once you have found the right fit for your future!