AI and Entry-Level Jobs: Microsoft’s Copilot Takes Over Repetitive Tasks

How are entry-level office jobs affected by AI? The other day, I discussed whether college degrees were obsolete. Most graduates start their office adventures as interns. But if AI can do these repetitive chores, where do interns find their place? Some companies are already using Microsoft’s AI Copilot — to tackle the humdrum office work typically assigned to entry-level employees or interns.

AI Taking Entry-Level Jobs

Amadeus, a multinational technology company serving the travel industry, is an example of a company that is effectively utilizing Microsoft’s Copilot AI. The company has embraced Copilot for automating repetitive office tasks, particularly tasks that are often assigned to junior staff members or interns. But how?

Transcribing Meeting Notes

Copilot has been transcribing notes from meetings. This task, often assigned to an intern or a staff member who isn’t actively participating in the discussion, is now being handled seamlessly by AI. According to the company’s head of digital services, accurate and detailed note-taking during meetings is something most organizations struggle with. Copilot, however, manages to capture different employees’ accents and understands specific business acronyms, making it an ideal candidate for this role.

While it’s true that AI can take all the notes, the experience that came for interns during interviews is gone. What do I mean by that? Interns would have the opportunity to see other roles in action while taking notes. True, most people don’t enjoy the task. But the riches aren’t just in what you do, but in what you see around you.

Summarizing Chat Threads and Drafting Emails

In addition to transcribing notes, Copilot is also used to summarize long threads of chat between coworkers. This is particularly helpful for employees who join a chat late or need to catch up on discussions. Moreover, AI can also help employees draft emails, which has proven especially useful for non-native English speakers. Copilot even aids employees in conducting more effective searches online and in analyzing the company’s internal data.

Embracing AI for Daily Use

Many companies are pushing their staff to use Copilot daily, believing that regular use will lead to a deeper understanding of the AI’s capabilities and spark innovative ideas. Companies can integrate OpenAI’s technology into their operations and streamline their work.

AI as a Time-Saver for Small Companies

The seconds saved by using AI to draft an email or summarize a chat can add significantly. This saved time can either contribute to a company’s bottom line by reducing the need for extra staff or allowing existing employees to focus on more meaningful tasks. For small companies with few employees, these time savings can be crucial, allowing them to focus on core business activities.

The Limitations of AI Copilots

Despite its advantages, AI technology is not foolproof. Like a junior staff member who might make a mistake during a complex finance meeting, AIs can misunderstand instructions or even generate incorrect or fabricated responses. Therefore, while AI can streamline business processes, someone still needs to verify the AI’s output to avoid errors or potential legal issues. Ironically, this oversight might be another task well-suited for an intern. (This is good news for all graduates out there!)

However, if AI is taking most of the intern roles in offices and not as many are needed to double-check AI’s output, it’s clear that the number of interns needed will be fewer!

The Trend Towards AI in the Workplace

AI’s adoption for entry-level tasks is part of a larger trend: Many companies are moving towards skills-based hiring rather than solely relying on traditional educational qualifications. (Please read my post about it here.) AI technologies are enabling companies to assess practical skills more effectively, further shifting the focus from degrees to competencies.

A New Approach to Office Work

Microsoft’s AI Copilot exemplifies how AI is transforming the workplace. By handling repetitive and simple tasks, Copilot is freeing up employees to focus on higher-level responsibilities. However, this shift is also changing the nature of entry-level work, as AI takes over tasks previously assigned to new hires or interns.

So, how do you imagine entry-level jobs might change in the future? Do you see them being more meaningful? One thing is certain: as things stand now, the amount of entry-level jobs is going to decrease.

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