Good news, which won't come as a surprise to some. Artificial intelligence is not necessarily a threat to human jobs, but a boost to innovation that can create new growth sectors and strengthen existing industries. This is confirmed a report which estimates, in the field of artificial intelligence, the creation of up to 100 million new jobs by 2025. In other words? At least for the next three years, the hiring balance could even be positive.
During the pandemic, AI has seen exponential growth, with industry-leading companies (Microsoft and Google above all) investing heavily in the development of this technology. This has fueled debate over the possible impact on employment, with some experts fearing a decline in human work, even considered lwave of layoffs started just this year. However, analyzes show that these concerns may not be entirely well-founded.
When a big wave comes you can drown, or surf
The CEO of BanklessTimes (the authors of the report), Jonathan Merry, confirms that the use of artificial intelligence is growing more and more in the workplace. However, he argues that this will not lead to massive job losses, but to the creation of new opportunities for those with the right skills in working with this advanced technology. And this should encourage us to invest in training, rather than fear evolution, says Merry.
Artificial intelligence represents a revolution for the world of work. It's obvious. Why? You know it, you imagine it. It can replace humans in some routine and repetitive tasks such as data entry or scheduling appointments. This does not mean that humans will be able to focus on more creative and strategic activities, such as problem solving or complex decisions. In this way, artificial intelligence can become a valuable partner, helping us to better carry out our activities and reach our maximum potential.
AI will help us get help
One of the almost paradoxical aspects that come to mind when reading these estimates is that artificial intelligence will be able to encourage its own adoption. Its ability to produce infinite variations of content, targeted ads or customizations can be used to optimize training programs for individual workers. Training in the use of AI, in other words, will not take place through a complex "manual" with a language that can be understood or not, but will be able to adapt to the understanding of the learner.
This has an important consequence. While some jobs will become obsolete as automation increases its presence in the workforce, that doesn't necessarily mean they will disappear instantly or permanently. Instead, they will be able to evolve into forms of “collaborative” work between people and artificial intelligence, and transform over time. I'm thinking of customer care, for example. Human operators will be able to respond better and to more people through artificial intelligence systems (and tomorrow also through "virtual agents", perhaps with the same appearance as them).
New Hires: Specialized Skills and Soft Skills
Those interested in entering this field will find many free "boxes" for roles that didn't even exist until recently. For example, artificial intelligence engineers who develop algorithms for machine learning, or robotic process automation professionals who design robot workflows.
These positions require highly specialized technical skills. Therefore in addition to the traditional computer engineering roles grasslands will open up for data scientists, artificial intelligence architects e machine learning specialists. These professionals will help us develop and implement solutions that harness the power of AI to increase efficiency and productivity in workplaces around the world.
Then there is an important skill, which will be obtained by training non-specialized characteristics. The ability to communicate I would say almost "empathically" with an artificial intelligence. Human-machine interaction. The skill, for example, in making people understand exactly what our needs are when we have to create or modify content, or an image (soon also high quality audio, music, video). Space for hiring professional figures with many soft skill, so. And ransom for many humanities, as well as a lifeline for linguists and translators, many of whom are threatened with extinction since the advent of AI.
Still? With the rise of AI-based hiring, there is also a need for people with strong AI skills leadership capable of managing teams of machines and people effectively. This means being able to identify challenges within the team and address them quickly without compromising the quality of the final result. In this way, companies can make the most of the potential of artificial intelligence and ensure maximum efficiency in the use of these technologies.
In short (Italian only)
I don't want to tell you lies: I don't entirely agree with Merry and colleagues' estimates. I am convinced that there will be complicated steps to face, and that in some sectors we will see real bloodbaths, which will have to be stopped with state interventions, if necessary. But while AI can make some repetitive tasks obsolete, there are limits to its ability to think outside the box.
Human workers have the ability to think creatively and innovatively. This means they will remain central to organizations even in an automation-dominated future. Human beings will remain the main driver of business success, and will do so for a long time to come.
If we manage the company well, it will be able to choose between a "work" career and a "social" career, dedicating itself to making the world grow in areas other than those of a company.
