In the last week of November 2022, an artificial intelligence research lab called OpenAI launched a program called ChatGPT. GPT stands for “generative pre-trained transformer.” What exactly does that mean? Perhaps you should ask the program itself.

In the words of OpenAI, ChatGPT is “a model which interacts in a conversational way,” gathering information to user questions online and communicating responses to users in a way that mimics human authorship with incredible effectiveness.

Designed in the form of a virtual conversation partner, ChatGPT has the capability to produce an essay on any given topic in a matter of seconds. (To High School English Teachers: All the best…)

ChatGPT surpassed 1 million users on the platform in its first 5 days open to the public. It’s a fascinating program and quite competent.

As an example, here’s the response I received when I asked ChatGPT, “Share with me the value of integrating my faith and daily work, from a Christian viewpoint:”

Integrating your faith and daily work can provide a sense of purpose and meaning in your life. It can also help you to live out the values and principles of your faith in a practical way, and to use your talents and abilities to serve others. This can bring fulfillment and joy, and can help to deepen your relationship with God. Additionally, by living out your faith at work, you can be a positive influence on those around you and can help to create a more positive and compassionate work environment.”

Pretty solid response, right?! 

How did we get here? The challenges of a changing economy and context for work over the past several years have created a variety of new challenges for both employees and employers. That is certainly true. As pressure is passed down the chain, many employees find themselves frustrated with their experience.

In Cormac McCarthy’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel, The Road, an unnamed father and son navigate a world that has embraced cannibalism and dark predatory violence. The novel’s post-apocalyptic environment is filled with a kind of panic that we saw pale forms of during the early days of the pandemic. Like the father at the center of the story, I immediately centered my reaction on planning for my family and making sure we were prepared for whatever would come next. As the months dragged on though, I started thinking more about what it means to truly live through difficult seasons, not merely survive. I’ve found lessons from The Road to be helpful not only in my personal life, but also in how I think about the role of business.