How Artificial Intelligence (AI) will really change our jobs

It is not a surprise if we hear robots and machines are taking over our current jobs and humans will need to find something else to do in the future. From the media, we have already witnessed these things are already happening: driverless cars, robots greeting customers at the hotel reception, and machines performing tasks in the factories. Do we really need to worry that our jobs will be taken over by new technology?

In similar, the fear of losing jobs due to technological innovation was already seen during the First Industrial Revolution. However, looking back at our past, we all could agree that more and more jobs have been created rather than increasing unemployment rates.

“Artificial Intelligence (AI) will create 58 million new jobs by 2022. Machines and algorithms in the workplace are expected to create 133 million new roles, but cause 75 million jobs to be replayed by 2022.” by ‘The Future of Jobs 2018 Report’ from the World Economic Forum (WEF).

As explained above, while 75 million jobs will be replaced by automation, 133 million new ones could still give us new opportunities. It is also stated in the report that 38% of businesses will change the structure of their companies with re-defined jobs and tasks all aiming at more efficiency, and matching people’s behaviors in the digital age.

What kind of possible jobs will be created in the future?

The top 10 emerging jobs have been identified by the Future of Jobs Report 2018, WEF.

1. Data Analysists and Scientists
2. AI and Machine Learning Specialists
3. General and Operational Managers
4. Software and Applications Developers and Analysts
5. Sales and Marketing Professionals
6. Big Data Specialists
7. Digital Transformation Specialists
8. New Technology Specialist
9. Organizational Development Specialists
10. Information Technology Services

It is critical to understand what kind of new jobs are emerging in the future in order to prepare the new skills and challenges required. This is important not only for individuals who have to take proactive actions to learn new skills but also for businesses and governments to create a new environment enabling to facilitate the transformation.

Surprisingly, although the name of many jobs sounds new and challenging, some of the jobs are expected to increase “human skills” such as sales and marketing, and organizational and customer service. For example, in the insurance sector, most of the operational jobs will be processed by AI. The people now in charge of these operational tasks will develop new skills, find new opportunities, and will have more valuable inputs in their companies.

It might be too soon to worry about losing jobs in the future. However, it might be too late if we don’t start preparing ourselves for the future of work by investing in retraining and upskilling ourselves.

What kind of new skills would you like to start for your future?

Source: The World Economic Forum