3 Daunting Ways Artificial Intelligence Will Transform the World of Work
The fourth industrial revolution is finally here, and it is about to transform the world of work for good. Each industrial revolution has redefined how we work. The third industrial revolution influenced our way of work by introducing computers and digital technology.
The intelligence revolution is about to be even bigger and more explosive. It is driven by Artificial Intelligence and data. With the sheer pace of change, it is inevitable.
The main difference between the current and previous industrial revolutions is that we are not discussing generational change. Instead, the focus is on tremendous transformations that will be at the center of it all for the next five or twenty years.
If you are interested in how Artificial Intelligence will change the world of work, the following 3 ways will open up your mind.
1. Automated Work unlike Ever Before
The future of work will see more tasks and roles being automated than ever before. To start with how Artificial Intelligence will bring about change, it is important to note that increasing automation will be an obvious trend that you will see in the coming years.
The idea of robots taking over jobs is likely to come true. The narrative is very much understandable. Many industries and jobs will experience the impact of automation. PWC analyzed over 200,000 jobs in about 29 countries to understand the impact of automation. It made the following findings.
Around 3% of jobs would be at risk of automation by the early 2020s. The rise in automation is likely to put close to 20% of jobs at risk by the late 2020s. Towards the mid-2030s, about 30% of jobs would be at risk of automation. As for workers that have low education, the risk rises to a massive 44%.
These stark figures show the dark reality of the future. However, there is also a positive side to the increase in automation. The study also revealed that there would be a demand for new jobs. Artificial Intelligence, automation, and robotics will potentially increase the global GDP by $15 trillion by 2030.
On the other hand, previous industrial revolutions were unable to improve the global GDP at such a rapid rate. However, they did manage to create more jobs. For instance, let’s consider the internet. It did harm certain jobs. However, it also created plenty of new jobs.
Gone are the days when one would visit a travel agent to book a flight. Today, we can simply book a flight and a hotel online from the comfort of our home or on the go. The internet has been a blessing for businesses as it has allowed them to branch out and enter new markets to reach new customers.
Similarly, it is expected that automation will also create new and better jobs for humans. If you come to think of it, the tasks that will be automated by Artificial Intelligence are ones that are not as challenging for humans. The fact is that most of the jobs that will be automated will be those that humans do not even want to do.
Machines help automate the most mundane, repetitive, and boring tasks. This allows humans to get creative, interpersonal, and empathetic. Thus, humans will have an easier time achieving self-actualization.
2. Nature of Human Jobs Will Change
Another way Artificial Intelligence will make changes in the world of work is by changing the nature of human jobs. When certain parts of the job are automated by machines, it helps free up time, which we can use to get more creative.
There will also be a need to be people-oriented. Therefore, skills such as collaboration, interpretation, communication, listening, empathy, and problem-solving will be in high demand. Humans are better at these skills than machines.
Overall, the jobs of the future will be based more on soft skills and the human element. Deloitte analyzed the changing world of work and found that the following new categories of work will be created.
- Standard Jobs: These jobs will focus on standardized processes and repeatable tasks. They require a narrow and specified skill set.
- Hybrid Jobs: The jobs will involve a combination of soft and technical skills that were previously not required for the same job.
- Super Jobs: These are jobs that combine the responsibilities of multiple traditional jobs as the scope of the work is widened by the use of technology. Thus, a combination of complex human and technical skills will be required.
To keep up with the fourth industrial revolution, we need to develop both our soft human skills and technical skills. These skills can also prove beneficial at present if you are working in digital marketing or a similar field that requires both technical and human knowledge.
3. Change in Employee Experience
The employee experience will evolve drastically even in non-tech corporations. The future workplace will see robots everywhere, especially in warehousing and manufacturing environments. However, workers would need to get used to co-workers and other Artificial Intelligence tools in the office environment.
AI technology will change how people are recruited, how they learn, and progress. It will play an important role in our working life.
Similar to how we use tools like email, we will need to get used to routinely using AI tools to monitor processes and workflows. These tools will make intelligent suggestions so that we can work more efficiently.
More tools will emerge for carrying out repetitive admin tasks like managing a diary and arranging meetings. These tools will also monitor employees to see how they work and provide them with assistance if they experience any trouble.
In addition to the above, the workforce will become more decentralized. It is a trend that has accelerated ever since the coronavirus pandemic broke out. Therefore, workers will get to choose where they live rather than where they can find work.
Takeaway - Artificial Intelligence Will Transform the World of Work
As it is only a matter of time until Artificial Intelligence transforms the world of work, you must prepare for the AI revolution. There is no need to fear as it will bring plenty of opportunities. Having an open mind will allow you to take the changes head-on.
Embrace yourself for automated work unlike ever before, change in nature of human jobs, and change in employee experience to succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is everyone so scared of artificial intelligence?
- Artificial intelligence scares people in every nook and cranny of the paynet because it's basically a machine that can mimic human behavior and learn incrementally from the information it gathers. And how this machine can behave with the accumulated knowledge is unknown.