Unveiling the hidden pitfalls in the jagged and shifting frontier of automation

Summary

The study by Dell'Acqua et al., titled "Navigating the Jagged Technological Frontier: Field Experimental Evidence of the Effects of AI on Knowledge Worker Productivity and Quality," examines the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on knowledge work. It introduces the concept of a "jagged technological frontier," where AI can either complement or hinder human performance depending on whether a task falls within or outside of AI's capabilities.

The study involved 758 strategy consultants, divided into two groups, with one focusing on creative tasks and the other on business problem-solving. These tasks were designed to either fall within or outside the AI's capability frontier, specifically using GPT-4 technology. Participants were assigned to