The Future of Jobs in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a buzzword in today’s world. From smartphones to smart homes, from hospitals to banks, AI has made its presence felt in every industry. However, there is a common misconception that AI is going to take over our jobs and render us unemployed. But the truth is, AI is not a job killer, but a job creator.
AI is like a machine that cooks a dish, The machine can only cook the dish as per the recipe provided to it. However, the machine cannot add that extra spice or adjust the taste according to the individual’s preference. This is where human skills come into play. We can add that extra spice or adjust the taste according to the preference of the person. In this example, the machine is doing the basic task of cooking, but the human is adding that extra touch to make the dish perfect. This is where the jobs are created.
In other words, AI can do the mundane and repetitive tasks, leaving us with more time and energy to focus on the creative and value-added aspects of our jobs. For instance, an AI-powered chatbot can handle customer queries, while the human customer service representative can focus on building a relationship with the customer and providing a personalized experience.
In fact, according to a report by the World Economic Forum, AI is expected to create 2.3 million jobs by 2020, while eliminating only 1.8 million jobs. This means that the net job growth due to AI will be positive.
So, how exactly can AI create jobs? Let’s take a look at some examples:
Healthcare
AI has the potential to revolutionize the healthcare industry by improving the accuracy and speed of diagnosis, as well as by enabling personalized treatment plans. However, AI cannot replace human doctors and nurses. Instead, AI can assist them by analyzing medical records and images, predicting potential health risks, and even recommending treatment options. This means that healthcare professionals can focus on providing compassionate care to patients, mather than spending hours analyzing data.
Retail
AI-powered chatbots can help retailers provide 24/7 customer service, answer frequently asked questions, and even make personalized product recommendations. However, human sales associates can still provide a human touch by building relationships with customers, understanding their needs, and offering expert advice.
Manufacturing
AI-powered robots can handle repetitive and dangerous tasks in manufacturing, such as assembling and welding. This means that human workers can focus on more complex and creative tasks, such as designing and improving the manufacturing process.
Finance
AI can analyze financial data in real-time, identify trends and patterns, and even predict future market conditions. However, human financial analysts can still provide their expertise by interpreting the data and making informed decisions based on their experience and knowledge.
In conclusion, AI is not a threat to our jobs, but a tool that can enhance our productivity and creativity. While AI can handle mundane and repetitive tasks, human workers can focus on the creative and value-added aspects of their jobs. Therefore, it is important for us to embrace AI and leverage its potential to create new opportunities and job growth in various industries.
Written by Rishi Vinesh Dasyam, MA in Visual Communication. This article appeared on Pioneer Magazine, Issue 9.
If you’re interested in MSc Artificial Intelligence, please click here.