AI ( Artificial Intelligence ), or artificial intelligence, seems to be on the tip of everyone’s tongue, these days. There is no doubt that we have entered the latest revolutionary period in human history, namely the Technological Revolution.This new era promises unparalleled efficiency, comfort, communication, equal access to information, and prosperity. One thing we all definitely agree on is that AI is one of the most important technologies in the world today. AI is already at work in our daily lives, influencing everything from our internet search results to online dating opportunities and the way we shop.
As for PwC research, it is estimated that by the mid-2030s, a third of all jobs will be at risk of automation. The workforce segment most likely to be impacted are individuals with low levels of education.So, in the future, how will this technology affect human work?Will this result in a permanent underclass of people who cannot find work because their jobs have been automated?
The Impact of AI on the Future of Work
Brian continues in his writings that concerns about job losses caused by the use of larger machines have existed for centuries. With each breakthrough, a person’s livelihood or quality of life is at risk of changing. As companies seek to minimize COVID-19 infections in the workplace while keeping operational costs low, for example, the push to replace humans with machines is increasing.
As companies shift from survival mode to figuring out how to operate during a pandemic, and that continues, the replacement of humans with computers could accelerate. According to a report by Daron Acemoglu at MIT and Boston University, also quoted from Brian’s article, robots could replace 2 million more employees in manufacturing by 2025.However, according to Brian as with all previous human innovations (steam engines, electricity, and the internet) an innovation that creates value, no matter how feared, is overall likely to have a positive impact on society. Many businesses are rapidly adopting robots in response to the coronavirus. They suddenly performed technical tasks that humanity had worried about for thousands of years. They wash airport floors and take people’s temperatures. During the pandemic, hotels are using robots to welcome guests to their rooms with freshly disinfected keys.
Is AI the Future of Work?
Continuing Brian’s writing, humanity has worried for thousands of years, from weavers to factory workers, that the growth of technology will leave society without work.The way the media depicts artificial intelligence, especially in some of our favorite science fiction films, makes it understandable that this has sparked anxiety that AI will one day make humans obsolete in the workplace.
For example, as technology advances, many tasks that were once handled by human hands have been mechanized. Advances in artificial intelligence appear to be ushering in the end of work as we know it, and it’s understandable why people are worried.
More than half of companies that have used AI-based technology say that AI has increased productivity. It is written in Brian’s writing that it is estimated that the following industries will be significantly affected by AI:
Finance
ATMs do not necessarily reduce the number of bank tellers. They generate more teller jobs as the convenience of ATM machines attracts customers to banks. Banks are expanding their locations and hiring tellers to handle the work that ATMs cannot complete.
- Hospitality and Tourism
The Humanoid Robot in Tokyo’s newest cafe is another example of how robots are making life easier. Dawn Avatar Robot Café in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, employs robot waiters to serve guests. We might think that people will lose their jobs because of these robot servers, but the story behind it is very touching. The robots are operated by real people, including disabled workers who cannot leave the house due to physical limitations, seniors who cannot work long hours, and single parents who need help with home child care. They are controlled remotely over the internet using eye movements and gestures, and they have taken on the role of avatars for the workers who use them.
Medical
The potential benefits of AI in medicine are being actively researched. The medical industry has a huge amount of data that they can use to build predictive models regarding healthcare. In some diagnostic scenarios, AI has proven to be more effective than doctors. One lung cancer AI system, for example, can provide early warning of the onset of the disease.
Automotive
With the introduction of autonomous vehicles and autonomous navigation, we are already seeing the impact of AI in the automotive industry. AI will greatly impact production, especially in the automotive industry.
Cyber Security
Many company leaders are concerned about cybersecurity, especially considering the predicted increase in cybersecurity incidents in 2020 and 2021. During the pandemic, hackers targeted those working from home and less protected technology equipment and Wi-Fi networks. In cybersecurity, AI and machine learning will become important technologies for detecting and anticipating threats. Given its ability to analyze large volumes of data and predict and detect fraud, AI will become an important tool in financial security.
Job Search
AI can significantly impact the job search process. Automated application tracking systems can reject up to 75% of resumes before anyone gets through to them. Not long ago, recruiters had to spend a lot of time sifting through resumes to find qualified applicants. According to LinkedIn data, also quoted from Brian’s writings, recruiters can spend up to 23 hours reviewing resumes for one successful job.
On the other hand, AI-powered systems are increasingly performing resume scanning . In 2018, 67% of hiring managers said that AI made their jobs easier. AI and machine learning are on many lists of the most important skills in the job market. Jobs requiring AI or machine learning skills are expected to grow by 71% in the next five years.
Lili in her writing also mentioned that although AI is still far from replacing recruiters, this technology can also help understand human unconscious bias during the recruitment process.AI can perform tasks such as anonymizing job applications so candidates can be screened more objectively, or using data to provide insight into how to attract more diverse talent.