AI is one of the world’s most discussed innovations, and while the technology is still in its adolescence, many of the world’s largest corporations are continually developing AI and finding new ways to use it, while some companies and businesses are already being drastically affected by the current capabilities of early AI.
There’s no doubt that AI is the future and that it will bring many opportunities for development, however AI is one of the most feared new technologies also, and it’s something that has haunted humanity’s darkest nightmares for some time now.
You only need to look at the terminator movies to understand just how afraid we have been when discussing AI, and how it may supplant humanity as the world’s most dominant force.
There are additional fears too, with many wondering how AI will affect the jobs market, and what effect this may have on the world’s poor as well as the working classes who may soon find themselves surplus to requirements in an advanced, AI driven world.
The fear around these issues often muddies any conversation, so in this guide we’re going to focus on how AI will affect jobs, and what workers can do to adapt to the rapidly changing world of work to be able to take advantage of what new capabilities AI will provide.
Will Artificial Intelligence AI Replace Jobs?
The impact of AI on jobs is likely to be significant, but not all jobs will be replaced.
In fact, experts predict that AI will actually increase demand for certain types of jobs, like those requiring creativity, problem solving, and emotional intelligence.
However AI will likely lead to job losses also, and this will affect various industries, from healthcare to agriculture and other sectors, as the capabilities of AI expands and accelerates.
Tasks that are repetitive or menial are already under threat from automation, and as these machines get smarter, further job losses are likely.
Whether or not the jobs lost to AI will actually lead to new, better quality jobs in maintaining and controlling the AI remain to be seen, but it’s likely that at least some new jobs will offset the jobs replaced by AI and automation.
How Many Jobs Will AI Replace?
The impact of AI on jobs is likely to be significant. A recent study from Oxford University found that 47% of existing occupations could become obsolete within 20 years due to automation.
This means that millions of people around the globe could lose their jobs to AI.
This is simply an estimation however, and the reality may be far lower than this, or potentially higher.
What this means for the world of work and certain industries remains to be seen, but it’s likely that the impact will be immense and society needs to prepare good answers to the potential issues that may arise to avoid severe social and political problems stemming from these innovations.
AI As Job Creator for A Different Kind of Work
The fear of automation is often rooted in the idea that we’re going to lose our jobs to machines.
While this may happen at some point, it’s important to remember that we’ve been losing jobs to automation for quite some time now.
In fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 47% of all jobs in the country could be automated within 20 years, and ever since Henry Ford implemented the world’s first production lines, the march towards greater efficiency, and greater profits, has whittled away the number of jobs available to workers as automation has improved.
Opportunities And Challenges In The New Wave of AI
The opportunities for AI are endless, but the challenges are equally so.
As we move into this new era of AI, we must ensure that our society does not become overly reliant on AI, and that we develop safeguards against abuse.
While AI will create a lot of new opportunities for us to improve our lives, it will also have a profound impact on the way we live and work.
The question is whether or not we’ll be ready when the robots come for our jobs.
There are major opportunities for AI to revolutionize the healthcare and financial industry, as well as work with language and data, however there are immense challenges that need to be managed also, and a lot of these challenges are still being grappled with.
Finding opportunities to use and exploit AI to its fullest will likely be one of the best ways to position yourself to take advantage of AI, instead of falling prey to it.
The Jobs of The Future
In the near future, we’ll see a massive increase in the number of jobs that require a combination of skill sets, including coding, design, business acumen, and creative thinking.
These roles will be highly sought after and well paid, but they won’t all be available at once.
As AI continues to advance, more and more jobs will be replaced by AI, and those who can adapt quickly enough will thrive and likely reap significant rewards for embracing the new technologies and learning to understand and employ them, instead of ignoring or fighting them.
AI In the Workplace Realistically Preparing For Impact
The impact of AI on jobs is likely to be significant. It could replace routine tasks, but also lead to job losses as machines take over more complex jobs.
In addition, the rise of AI could mean fewer workers overall, which would result in lower wages for those who remain.
To prepare for the inevitable changes that AI will bring, businesses should consider how their employees might be affected, what training they need, and how they might adjust their compensation plans.
It’s important to note that AI is just one part of the larger trend toward intelligent systems replacing humans in various industries.
For example, self-driving cars are another area where AI is poised to make an enormous impact, and as these systems develop there will likely be chances for businesses and workers to prepare to capitalize on the impact AI will have.
Final Thoughts
We’re entering a new age of artificial intelligence, and the future is looking bright.
However, as with any new technology, there will be both opportunities and challenges associated with AI.
One thing is certain: AI will radically transform the economy and society, and it’s up to us to decide if we want to embrace it or fight it.
Whether you are able to prosper or not during this revolution will likely stem from how you approach AI, and if you are able to accept and embrace it, or not.
