@proceedings {2025, title = {Deskilling and upskilling with AI systems}, year = {2025}, month = {3/2025}, abstract = {

Introduction. Deskilling is a long-standing prediction of the use of information technology, raised anew by the increased capabilities of AI (AI) systems. A review of studies of AI applications suggests that deskilling (or levelling of ability) is a common outcome but systems can also require new skills, i.e., upskilling.
Method. To identify which settings are more likely to yield deskilling vs. upskilling, we propose a model of a human interacting with an AI system for a task. The model highlights the possibility for a worker to develop and exhibit (or not) skills in prompting for, and evaluation and editing of system output, thus yielding upskilling or deskilling.
Findings. We illustrate these model-predicted effects on work with examples of current studies of AI-based systems.
Conclusions. We discuss organizational implications of systems that deskill or upskill workers and suggest future research directions.

}, attachments = {https://futureofnewswork.syr.edu/sites/crowston.syr.edu/files/GenAI_and_skills__iConference_2025_\%20information\%20matters\%20fb.pdf}, author = {Kevin Crowston and Bolici, Francesco} } @article {9999, title = {Deskilling and upskilling with generative AI systems}, year = {2024}, abstract = {

Deskilling is a long-standing prediction of the use of information technology, raised anew by the increased capabilities of generative AI (GAI) systems. A review of studies of GAI applications suggests that deskilling (or levelling of ability) is a common outcome. We propose a model of a human interacting with a GAI system for a task that suggests settings more likely to yield deskilling vs. upskilling. The model highlights the possibility for a worker to develop and exhibit (or not) skills in prompting for, and evaluation and editing of system output. We illustrate these effects with examples of current studies of GAI-based systems. We discuss organizational implications of systems that deskill or upskill workers and suggest future research.

}, attachments = {https://futureofnewswork.syr.edu/sites/crowston.syr.edu/files/GAI_and_skills.pdf}, author = {Kevin Crowston and Bolici, Francesco} }