The advent of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT promises to transform the workplace by automating or augmenting a wide range of occupational tasks. However, a single perspective cannot fully grasp both the opportunities and risks these technologies represent across industries, workers, businesses and society. This article analyzes the World Economic Forum’s recent white paper [1] assessing the impact of LLMs on jobs through the lens of Spiral Dynamics. This integral framework reveals how different value systems perceive threats and opportunities differently. Administrative roles face disruption but efficiency gains (Blue). Innovative businesses are pressured to adopt but see new revenue potential (Orange). Vulnerable workers require support amidst job transformations (Green). Policymakers struggle to holistically analyze systemic impacts (Yellow). Realizing the benefits of LLMs requires honoring multiple worldviews, evolving processes, encouraging innovation, caring for people and conducting systems analysis. The analysis provides insights into LLMs’ multi-dimensional impacts and underscores the need for inclusive dialogue and initiatives to shape the AI-enabled future of work.
Here are the key points:
What color are you Spiral Dynamics?
| Color | Beige | Purple | Red | Blue | Orange | Green | Yellow | Turquoise |
| In a life | Survival | Family relations | The rule of force | The power of truth | Competition | Interpersonal relations | Flexible stream | The Global vision |
| In a business | Own farm | Family business | Starting up a personal business | Business Process Management | Project management | Social networks | Win-Win-Win behavior | Synthesis |
Here is an analysis of the World Economic Forum white paper on large language models and jobs through the lens of Spiral Dynamics stages:
| Spiral Dynamics Stage | Quotes from Document |
| Beige | No relevant quotes |
| Purple | No relevant quotes |
| Red | No relevant quotes |
| Blue | "With 62% of total work time involving language-based tasks, the widespread adoption of LLMs, such as ChatGPT, could significantly impact a broad spectrum of job roles." (p.4) This reflects the blue focus on structure, process and order. |
| Orange | "Adopting LLMs will transform business and the nature of work, displacing some existing jobs, enhancing others and ultimately creating many new roles." (p.19) This reflects the orange drive for innovation and progress. |
| Green | "Governments can also partner with and support employers and educational institutions to provide training programs that prepare workers for the jobs that will grow and benefit the most from LLMs. Additionally, social safety nets and assistance in transitioning to new roles will need to be reimagined and be more precisely targeted for those most likely to be affected." (p.19) This reflects the green concern for people and relationships. |
| Yellow | "To assess the impact of LLMs on jobs, this paper provides an analysis of over 19,000 individual tasks across 867 occupations, assessing the potential exposure of each task to LLM adoption, classifying them as tasks that have a high potential for automation, high potential for augmentation, low potential for either or are unaffected (non-language tasks). The paper also provides an overview of new roles that are emerging due to the adoption of LLMs." (p.4) This reflects yellow's emphasis on complex systems analysis. |
| Turquoise | No relevant quotes |
The document overall reflects blue, orange, and green worldviews, with some elements of yellow systems thinking. There are no clear expressions of the beige, purple, red or turquoise value systems. This analysis illustrates how technology impacts different aspects of society and values.
Here is an analysis of threats and affected stakeholders through the lens of Spiral Dynamics stages:
| Spiral Dynamics Stage | Threats | Affected Stakeholders |
| Beige | No major threats identified | N/A |
| Purple | No major threats identified | N/A |
| Red | No major threats identified | N/A |
| Blue | Disruption of administrative processes and routines | Organizations, administrative staff |
| Orange | Pressure to rapidly adopt new technologies | Businesses, managers |
| Green | Job losses, inequality, lack of support during transition | Individual workers, marginalized groups, society |
| Yellow | Complexity of analyzing and managing impacts | Policy-makers, business leaders |
| Turquoise | No major threats identified | N/A |
In summary, the blue stage is threatened by disruption of established administrative processes, the orange faces pressure to innovate, the green risks job losses and inequality, and the yellow struggles with complex systems analysis. This highlights how different worldviews perceive threats and opportunities from the same technology trend. A holistic perspective is needed to understand the range of stakeholders and design responsible policies.
| Spiral Dynamics Stage | Opportunities | Affected Stakeholders |
| Beige | No major opportunities identified | N/A |
| Purple | No major opportunities identified | N/A |
| Red | No major opportunities identified | N/A |
| Blue | Increased efficiency of administrative processes | Organizations, administrative staff |
| Orange | Creation of new business models and revenue streams | Businesses, entrepreneurs |
| Green | Upskilling workers, maintaining an inclusive workforce | Individual workers, marginalized groups, society |
| Yellow | Holistic analysis of technology's impact on work | Policy-makers, business leaders |
| Turquoise | No major opportunities identified | N/A |
| Spiral Dynamics Stage | GAP Analysis |
| Beige | No major gap identified |
| Purple | No major gap identified |
| Red | No major gap identified |
| Blue | GAP: Lacks discussion of how to evolve administrative processes rather than just making existing ones more efficient |
| Orange | GAP: Could provide more examples of how new business models and industries could arise from LLMs |
| Green | GAP: More detail is needed on programs to support workers through transitions and ensure opportunities are inclusive |
| Yellow | GAP: Deeper analysis required on technological impacts across education, business, and government domains |
| Turquoise | GAP: Holistic vision absent - how could LLMs improve society and actualization beyond business impacts? |
| Spiral Dynamics Stage | Suggested Measures to Overcome GAPs |
| Beige | N/A |
| Purple | N/A |
| Red | N/A |
| Blue | Conduct process redesign workshops to evolve administrative workflows |
| Orange | Research case studies and build scenarios describing new LLMs-enabled business models |
| Green | Profile reskilling programs and multi-stakeholder partnerships to support workers |
| Yellow | Model impacts of LLMs on education, healthcare, government, and other complex systems |
| Turquoise | Envision how LLMs could advance human potential and consciousness evolution |
