Final answer:
Artificial intelligence is characterized by its ability to be applied to both blue-collar and white-collar skills and by utilizing computer systems to replicate human reasoning. In the workplace, AI increases automation and is used across many industries.
Step-by-step explanation:
Two descriptions that accurately characterize artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace are:
- It can be applied both to blue-collar and white-collar skills.
- It includes using computer systems to mimic human reasoning.
Artificial intelligence has become increasingly prevalent in today's job market, influencing both manual labor-intensive and cognitive skill-focused sectors. While AI is known for its ability to automate routine tasks effectively, it also extends to more complex applications that require mimicking human thought processes. The development of AI technology leads to an expansion in automation in the workplace, affecting a wide range of jobs, from clerical work to assembly line production. However, AI is not restricted to rote tasks—it also encompasses sophisticated systems designed to perform multiple cognitive tasks, sometimes at a speed and efficiency that far surpass human capabilities.
The descriptions that AI is 'being used by fewer companies than ten years ago' and that it 'decreases the use of customization on production lines' do not accurately characterize current trends in AI. In fact, the use of AI in the workplace has expanded considerably over the last decade, and AI technologies enable greater customization in production by allowing for flexible manufacturing processes.