Thread regarding Comcast layoffs

AI Snake Oil

After all the AI talk at the CB town hall, I'm curious if anyone has actually seen this stuff deliver meaningful productivity gains. I have not. On the contrary, I am seeing $$$ wasted and fools going around preaching about brigher future which will never come - snake oil. Sure, AI can automate repetitive tasks. But somebody still has to validate the output, fix mistakes, deal with exceptions and answer when something breaks in production. Are we actually changing how work gets done, or just expecting fewer FTEs to deliver the same results with some AI tools thrown in? Anyone in CB... TPX or whatever other group seeing real improvements, or is this mostly PowerPoint transformation at this point (we are really good in this tho)?


by
| 158 views | | 9 replies (last October 11) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1m4h811h4

9 replies (most recent on top)

Not gonna lie, AI has completely transformed my job. Sure, it has led to the removal of a number of direct reports, but I’ve been able to log off at a normal hour for weeks now that it’s matured. Processes that took me 2-3 days now take hours, and seeing how AI has transformed the frontline operations is really encouraging.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @kg+1m4h811h4

Anyone that actually uses AI to its fullest knows how capable it is. The real issue is the cost these days, credits are not cheap. People really should be scared for their jobs if the costs ever come back down.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @dg+1m4h811h4

@a9 correct ROI on AI is very difficult to measure and more likely than not the ROI is in the form of employees having more spare time not a direct increase in productivity or cheaper goods.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @aa+1m4h811h4

@a6 Individual productivity gains don’t necessarily translate into productivity gains at scale. Just because AI makes one person more efficient doesn’t mean those efficiencies translate into measurable business value, cost savings, or improved profitability across an entire organization.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @a9+1m4h811h4

I think we’re making a massive assumption that AI is going to deliver all these productivity gains and allow us to replace people. The research is nowhere near that conclusive.

Stanford and MIT found productivity improvements of around 14% in customer support, primarily among less experienced employees. Another controlled study found experienced developers were actually 19% slower using AI. And McKinsey is now pointing out that individual productivity gains aren’t translating into the same gains at the business level. I’m not against AI. I’m against treating projected efficiencies as realized savings before we’ve proven them.

Comcast Business is dealing with complex customers, relationships, service delivery, and accountability. Automating tasks is one thing. Replacing the people responsible for those outcomes is another.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @a8+1m4h811h4

You have no idea how to operate with AI. That’s why you are posting this. It’s a game changer. Embrace it or be left behind.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @a7+1m4h811h4

i’ve automated the majority of my roles original responsibilities thanks to AI. It’s definitely increased productivity. This feels like a talking point for people that refuse to change with the times

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @a6+1m4h811h4

@OP Senior leadership has been embarrassing themselves trying to prove they can use AI to easily develop software solutions to solve problems without even understanding the basic business requirements. These same leaders then go on to give public presentations about their great successes.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @a2+1m4h811h4

the problem is leadership sees a 20% productivity improvement and immediately thinks they can cut 20% of the team.

Then the ai sc--ws something up and us (grunts) are responsible for cleaning it up while still hitting the same slas. That's just shifting the workload around and i cannot see any efficiency here. thats the essence...

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @a1+1m4h811h4

Post a reply

: