The more I mastered AI, the more work I did
I noticed something strange recently.
The more AI you can master, the more work you can do.
"It should've been easier"
When AI appeared, many people said, “This will make my job easier.”I thought so too.In fact, individual tasks have certainly gotten faster.You can compile materials, write sentences, or write code.
But when I realized it, the amount of work I could do was increasing.
The more I could do in a day, the more work I received.The requesting party also feels that "it will be okay because there is AI".As a result, the amount of time you spend moving your hands remains the same, or rather is increasing.
I don't think this is just about me.When I talk to people who have started using AI, many people say similar things."It's so convenient, but I can't afford it."
This is not “AI's fault”
To be clear, this is not a dissatisfaction with AI.
The same thing happened a long time ago.When personal computers became popular, when email became commonplace, and when smartphones came to hand.Every time a tool became useful, the level of work required of humans increased.
When personal computers became popular, it was said that "if you have a computer, you will have less paperwork."In fact, the volume of documents has increased.Because the amount of materials that could not be made by handwriting can now be easily made.There was an air that said, if you can make it, make it.
When email became popular, I was told that it would be more efficient because I didn't have to move.In fact, I've been in touch more often.Instant wrestling became commonplace, and replies began to come in the middle of the night.
When my smartphone arrived, I was told that I could work anytime, anywhere.That's exactly what happened.Good or bad.I was able to work on holidays and trains.
AI is also on the extension line.When it becomes convenient, the expectation rises only for convenience.That's it.
What happens when there is more “processing capacity”
I'll sort it out and think about it.
Let's say you've done 10 jobs in eight hours a day so far.Using AI, I was able to do 15 jobs in the same eight hours.
What will happen at this time?
One option is to complete 10 tasks in 5 hours and use the remaining 3 hours of your time.Turn productivity gains into margins.
The other option is to take on 15 jobs in eight hours.Convert the processing amount to the underwriting amount.
Often the latter.
The reason is that expectations change from around the world.Assuming that there is an AI, more work is assigned.There is no reason to refuse.It will actually happen, so I have to accept it.
As a result, they will continue to work at the same concentration level for the same amount of time as they did when there was no AI.However, in a state where only the amount of work done is increasing.
Is it on the “used side”?
Being swept around by a tool is no different than mastering it.
The state of taking on a large amount of work because AI can be used is close to the former.I am entrusting my pace to a tool called AI.The way I work is determined by the processing power of AI.
Originally, what you wanted to do was to use AI to "do the same amount of work deeper and better".Creating time and thinking margins.Reach for what was out of reach.
When useful tools are made, people will use them in a direction where they can do more.It is a natural reaction in itself, but if you do it without noticing it, you will not be able to afford it.
If you pause here for a moment and think about it, you can return to the question, "What did you want to do with AI?"
The idea was to speed things up.The purpose was to improve the quality.Or was it about making room to try new things?
If the purpose and usage do not match, there will be a reversal that fatigue will increase even though it should have been convenient.
What do you spend your free time on?
The question is where to use the AI-generated margins.
If you use it to cram work, it will return to its original density.You'll have to fill the hole with another job.
Using it as input will improve the quality of your next job.Read books you didn't read, go to places you couldn't go, talk to people you couldn't talk to.These will not come to fruition soon, but they will gradually take effect.
If you spend time thinking deeply, the quality of judgment will change even in the same job.Instead of using AIs to get things done faster, they use AIs to give them time to think.
What I've recently become aware of is that I don't immediately use my AI-floating time for other tasks.Leave it intentionally unoccupied.I get anxious when there is a blank space, but I can't give in to that anxiety.
Of course, this may not be the case when deadlines are looming or when you are working in a team.But whether you realize it or not, there will be a little difference.
The evolution of tools and human standards
Historically, every time a tool has evolved, the standard required of humans has also risen.
When agricultural machinery became widespread, the area of farmland that farmers could manage alone increased.Rather than making it easier, the scope of responsibility per person has expanded.
When robots entered the manufacturing industry, the number of processes handled by workers increased.As a result of automation, humans have become responsible for more complex decisions.
When IT entered the service industry, the number of customers that one person could handle increased.As the number of things that can be done with a single phone call has increased, the scope of work expected from one person has expanded.
AI is on the same path.The more AI can do, the more it changes the nature of the work that remains in humans.Less simple work, more judgment and more creativity.That's a good thing, but it also increases the expectation that "I want you to think that much".
Rising levels are inevitable.The question is whether you can keep your pace up that way.
The Commandment to Self
This is also a memo to myself.
Just because capacity has increased, it's not the same as cramming that much work.Empty space is used for depth.Used for input.Use it to figure out your next move.
If you fill in the gaps created by AI with another job, nothing will change.An increase in the level of busyness alone does not create an essential margin.
When tools evolve, there are first questions to ask."What do you want to do?"Do you want to go faster, go deeper, or do something new?The answer changes the way the tool is used.
I try not to forget this question because I am on the side of using AI rather than being swept around by AI.
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*Machine-translated (MyMemory API) from a Japanese original at [nomuraya-hub.pages.dev](https://nomuraya-hub.pages.dev/). Pre-review draft. I am the same author writing under different pen names — "nomuraya / shimajima / 中翔" — depending on the medium.*