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AI in the Workforce: Insights from Neal Chuenprateep '15

October 28, 2024 • By UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform industries and reshape traditional work models, professionals who are equipped with the right skills and mindset are better positioned to thrive in this new era.

Neal Chuenprateep MPAc '15, one of the first human resources hires at OpenAI and a graduate of the UCI Paul Merage School of Business, offers students valuable insights into how his education prepared him for the fast-evolving technology landscape and provides a glimpse into how AI will likely affect the workforce of the future.

 

From the Merage School to OpenAI

Chuenprateep graduated from the Merage School in 2015 as part of the second cohort of the Masters of Professional Accountancy Program. “The program was still very new and fresh at the time, but it was also filled with valuable learning experiences,” he says. “The Merage School taught me the fundamentals while always keeping an open eye for innovation and whatever was on the horizon.”

After earning his master’s degree, Chuenprateep began a financial advisory career at Deloitte as a business valuation consultant. There he honed his skills in data analysis and client relations with hands-on experience working with spreadsheets and SQL.

His transition from Deloitte to tech giant Google was pivotal. At Google, Chuenprateep shifted into people operations, a role where he learned more about human resource processes, specifically the operational side of people processes, documentation, and workforce planning. “It was during this time that I began to notice the potential for AI to revolutionize many of the tasks that had previously been done manually. A lot of the work I did back in 2017 could be significantly streamlined by AI now,” he says.

When asked how the Merage School prepared him for his latest HR leadership role at OpenAI, Chuenprateep emphasizes the supportive yet structured environment of the school. “I was a scrappy upstart type of student at first, but Merage helped me become comfortable with all of their structure and support,” he says. This blend of support and adaptability to emerging trends and technologies was crucial as he stepped into the rapidly shifting world of AI-driven innovation.

 

The Future of Work: Human and AI Collaboration

In his new leadership position at OpenAI—a company at the forefront of artificial intelligence development—Chuenprateep is well positioned to discuss the future of work, and he is optimistic about the potential for AI in the workplace. “The future of work is really more like humans working alongside AI, which allows humans to focus on the highest-value / strategic projects,” he says.

Rather than envisioning a future where AI takes over all tasks, Chuenprateep sees AI handling the more routine, baseline tasks, freeing time for workers to engage in higher-level thinking and creative problem-solving. “If you look into the history of how industrial and technological advancements have impacted humans—for example with the development of the internet—we never stopped working,” he says. “The introduction of AI, much like previous technological leaps, will lead to new opportunities rather than simply displacing workers.”

 

New Challenges and Opportunities For AI-Integration

Chuenprateep notes AI’s increasing proficiency in certain technical tasks such as coding. “If you’re looking for a coding partner for Python or SQL, quite frankly AI is already better (and patient) than a lot of humans,” he says. However, he also highlights the limitations of current AI models, particularly in more creative or subjective fields, where human involvement is still essential. “If you ask AI to do something like write a humor or sports article—or a script for a podcast, for example—it isn’t very good right now,” he says. “That’s the uncanny valley effect in which, in the creative field, there is something about the human experience and touch that is essential. I don’t see AI thriving in those areas quite yet.” This perspective aligns with the growing consensus that AI, while powerful, has boundaries when it comes to creativity and emotional intelligence.

But Chuenprateep is confident AI will continue to improve rapidly, particularly in operational and administrative tasks. In HR, for instance, he envisions AI playing a significant role in operations / lifecycle management and other routine processes. However, he stresses the importance of accuracy and trust in these systems. “In HR, if you get 99 out of 100 payroll statements right, it’s a bad day, so we’re looking for AI solutions that get it right every single time.”

 

Sound Advice: Embrace AI and Work-Life Balance

Chuenprateep offers practical advice for fellow Merage alumni and anyone looking to navigate the evolving landscape of AI-driven work. His first piece of advice: “Lean in and embrace it,” he says. “As AI tools become more ubiquitous and more advanced, those who learn to integrate and leverage them will have a significant advantage in their careers. Make sure you try to integrate and familiarize yourself with these AI tools ASAP because they will only get better." His second piece of advice focuses on maintaining work-life balance, something AI can assist with, he believes. “By automating repetitive tasks, AI can provide professionals with more time for creativity, strategy, and leisure, which are critical components of long-term career satisfaction and success.”

 

The Role of Education in the AI Revolution

Chuenprateep reflects on the role that educational institutions like the Merage School will play to prepare the next generation for a workforce increasingly shaped by AI. He praises the school for its forward-thinking approach and emphasis on integrating AI into the curriculum. “The Merage School is really embracing AI and training their students to integrate AI whenever possible,” he says. “By fostering familiarity with AI tools and emphasizing innovation, the Merage School is equipping its students with the skills they need to succeed in an AI-enhanced workforce.”

As AI continues to develop and reshape industries, leaders like Neal Chuenprateep serve as valuable guides to navigate this transformation. His career, shaped in part by the education and experiences he gained at the UCI Merage School of Business, is a testament to the importance of staying adaptable, embracing innovation, and preparing for the future of work where humans and AI collaborate seamlessly.