In the coming years, technology like AI, robotics and automation will take over important tasks from humans. Talented humans have been playing a major role in innovation and they keep advancing their skills for economic growth. But many aspects, including technological developments, have contributed to change in the nature of work. Various other factors like demographic changes and economic disruptions have affected the availability of a skilled workforce. This can severely impact individuals, companies and economies all over the world.
Because of technological advancement, many workers will have to shift their occupations. But that doesn’t mean humans will be out of jobs. Robots, AI and automation will replace humans for some tasks but they will also create new jobs and make some jobs better. We have a lot of evidence that technology creates more jobs and improves businesses than it disrupts. Even the bigger companies and organizations have to change their strategy and adapt to changes quickly so that they are not left behind.
A report from the World Economic Forum suggests that algorithms, automation and machines will create around 133 million new jobs by 2022 but at the same time 75 million jobs will be displaced. This means totally 58 million jobs will be available in the coming years due to the growth of AI. Research from Capgemini found that 63 percent of organizations with AI implementation at any scale report that AI has not displaced any jobs in the organization. Around 80 percent of them say that AI has in fact created new roles in the organizations. They all believe that complex jobs would become easier with AI and automation.
So, to be right there with the technology, you should be well prepared and be ready to grab new roles and adapt to changes. The change is already happening, so the leaders of all the organizations have to act fast. The automation debate is important at any level, so everyone should have in-depth knowledge and understanding of changing technology. While the jobs, which become displaced due to automation, AI and robotics, can’t be saved, the organizations can take the responsibility to nurture their workforce and make them adaptable and skilled.
A human workforce, armed with skills and technology, will be important to drive performance in the digital space. As AI and automation take over complex tasks, the employees will have to apply their skills, not within fixed roles but in a different project-based setting. In the future, the job will not be defined by just output but it will be defined by skills and knowledge.
Artificial Intelligence and automation are already in action and are creating many new opportunities for organizations, individuals and societies and helping them solve real issues. The disruption of current livelihoods due to AI is not dependant on the technology itself, but on the policies that are already in place at government as well as corporate levels. To get ready for the future of work, everyone is responsible. The individuals will have to enhance their skills, the
companies will have to re-skill their workforce and the governments will have to create policies for lifting the unskilled.