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You are here: Home / Employment Standards / Should we let employees use ChatGPT?

By SpringLaw | 5 Minutes Read April 12, 2023

Should we let employees use ChatGPT?

ChatGPT

Using AI tools in the workplace is no longer new, but few tools will compare to the impact ChatGPT is currently making. This tool is a powerful program that will no doubt change our writing workflows across the board. 

I used ChatGPT to write most of this blog, asking it the below questions. I did not edit any of the answers, which are excellent starting points for so many more general questions. Our firm has begun using ChatGPT for some basic writing, but our experiments so far suggest robot legal analysis and judgement are a ways off yet. For example, you’ll see the logic fall off the rails a bit in question #5, but the efficiencies this time-saving tool will bring to an industry that loves long-winded writing will definitely be a game-changer.

1) What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is an AI-powered language model developed by OpenAI, which is capable of generating human-like responses to natural language queries or prompts. It is based on the GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) architecture, which utilizes a large neural network trained on vast amounts of text data to generate coherent and contextually appropriate responses to textual inputs.

ChatGPT can be used for a wide range of applications, including chatbots, language translation, text summarization, and question-answering systems. Its ability to generate human-like responses has made it a popular tool for businesses, researchers, and developers looking to improve the performance of their language-based applications.

2) How accurate is ChatGPT?

The accuracy of ChatGPT’s responses depends on various factors, such as the quality of the training data, the complexity of the input, and the context in which it is used. In general, the accuracy of ChatGPT is quite high, and it has been shown to produce coherent and contextually appropriate responses to a wide range of natural language queries and prompts.

However, like any machine learning model, ChatGPT is not perfect and may sometimes generate incorrect or irrelevant responses, especially when dealing with complex or ambiguous inputs or when there is a lack of relevant training data. Additionally, it may also be susceptible to bias if the training data contains biases or if the model is not appropriately calibrated to account for biases in the data.

Overall, while ChatGPT can provide highly accurate responses in many contexts, it is important to carefully evaluate its performance and limitations in any given application and to take steps to mitigate any potential biases or inaccuracies.

3) What are the most common uses of ChatGPT for human resource managers?

ChatGPT can be a useful tool for Human Resource (HR) Managers in various ways. Here are some of the most common uses of ChatGPT for HR Managers:

  1. Recruitment and Screening: ChatGPT can assist HR managers in recruiting and screening candidates by providing automated responses to frequently asked questions about the recruitment process, job requirements, and company policies. It can also help to identify and prioritize potential candidates by analyzing resumes and other application materials.
  2. Onboarding and Training: ChatGPT can help new employees to get up to speed quickly by providing answers to common questions about the onboarding process, company culture, and training programs. It can also provide ongoing support and guidance for employees as they navigate their roles and responsibilities.
  3. Performance Management: ChatGPT can assist HR managers in managing employee performance by providing automated responses to questions about performance evaluations, goal-setting, and feedback. It can also help to identify areas of improvement and provide guidance on how to address them.
  4. Employee Engagement: ChatGPT can help HR managers to engage employees by providing personalized responses to questions and concerns about workplace culture, benefits, and other issues. It can also help to identify trends and patterns in employee feedback and sentiment and provide insights into how to improve engagement.

Overall, ChatGPT can be a powerful tool for HR managers, enabling them to streamline and automate various aspects of their work and improve communication and engagement with employees. However, it is important to use ChatGPT appropriately and responsibly and to ensure that it does not replace human interaction and feedback entirely.

4) Should we have a workplace policy on using ChatGPT?

Whether or not to have a workplace policy on using ChatGPT depends on several factors, such as the size and nature of your organization, the types of tasks that employees are expected to perform, and the potential risks and benefits of using ChatGPT.

If your organization relies heavily on language-based tasks, such as customer service or technical support, and if you plan to use ChatGPT as a tool to assist employees in these tasks, it may be helpful to establish clear guidelines and policies on the appropriate use of the tool, including when and how it should be used, the types of queries or prompts that it can be used to respond to, and any limitations or potential biases associated with its use.

Additionally, if your organization deals with sensitive or confidential information, it may be necessary to establish policies to ensure that ChatGPT is not used to disclose or compromise such information inadvertently.

Overall, having a workplace policy on using ChatGPT can help to ensure that employees use the tool effectively and responsibly and can help to mitigate any potential risks or issues associated with its use.

5) Can I fire an employee for using ChatGPT?

As an AI language model, ChatGPT is not an employee and does not have any relation to your company or organization. Therefore, it is not appropriate to terminate an employee solely for using a language model like ChatGPT. However, it is essential to establish clear guidelines and policies on the appropriate use of technology and online resources during working hours, which should be communicated to all employees. If an employee’s use of technology or online resources, including language models like ChatGPT, is interfering with their job performance or violating company policies, it may be appropriate to take disciplinary action.

My (human) conclusions

The above 5 answers are written entirely by AI, in an easy-to-read conversational style. Answer #5 doesn’t make a ton of sense and does not come anywhere close to sound legal advice (or even legal information). But I included it as a good example of what on the surface may initially make sense in sentences otherwise properly strung together – but the context and meaning are a little off. The other answers are as good as any summer student would write for us.

The big question is whether we should be using ChatGPT. Without hesitation, I say yes. In the same way that the Dowager Countess in Downtown Abbey thought installing a telephone would destroy how we properly communicate with each other, ChatGPT is simply another tool. It does not replace human judgment or context. If it helps push the legal industry into further efficiencies and innovation, that’s a win-win for everyone.

Of course, like any tool, we will need to keep exercising careful editing, critical thinking and judgment. The makers of ChatGPT would agree, given the almost humorous disclaimer they have on their main page:

ChatGPT Mar 23 Version. Free Research Preview. ChatGPT may produce inaccurate information about people, places, or facts.

Written by: Lisa Stam and ChatGPT

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SpringLaw
Employment and Labour Law Firm at SpringLaw
SpringLaw is a virtual Canadian boutique law firm, practicing exclusively in the areas of employment, labour and human rights law. We work with a wide range of employers - from global companies with operations in Canada to local owner-operators and start-ups - advising on the wide range of legal issues that arise out of the workplace, particularly workplaces in the tech and creative space. We also provide legal and strategic advice to employees throughout their employment journey. Blog posts are written by Lisa Stam, Hilary Page, Emily Siu, Danielle Murray, Lindsay Koruna, Jessyca Greenwood, Marnie Baizley, Matt Chapman, Evaleen Hellinga and Tiffany Thomas.
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Article by SpringLaw / Business, Employee Relations, Employment Standards, Information Technology, Privacy / AI, AI tools, artificial intelligence, ChatGPT, employee engagement, onboarding, performance management, policy, recruitment, screening methodologies and programs, training Leave a Comment

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About SpringLaw

SpringLaw is a virtual Canadian boutique law firm, practicing exclusively in the areas of employment, labour and human rights law. We work with a wide range of employers - from global companies with operations in Canada to local owner-operators and start-ups - advising on the wide range of legal issues that arise out of the workplace, particularly workplaces in the tech and creative space. We also provide legal and strategic advice to employees throughout their employment journey. Blog posts are written by Lisa Stam, Hilary Page, Emily Siu, Danielle Murray, Lindsay Koruna, Jessyca Greenwood, Marnie Baizley, Matt Chapman, Evaleen Hellinga and Tiffany Thomas.

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