In the article below, Sydney Career Coach Tina Monk discusses what jobs AI may be replaced by AI – and it’s not all bad news.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the world. For a while now people have been expecting AI to dramatically change the world in which we live. While it may not lead to robots destroying the human race and taking over the world, AI is going to dramatically change the way that we work and the jobs available.
Machines can learn and perform many tasks at an equal, or superior rate, to humans and do so at a cost that is more conducive for budget-conscious businesses.
While some people are recognising this, there are many who are still trying to figure out how the incorporation of AI is going to change the way that businesses operate. This is a dilemma that has been faced in human history before.
What Jobs Will Be Replaced By AI?
When the Industrial Revolution began to sweep the planet during the 18th century, there were many who lost their livelihoods because of innovation. Machines were able to produce products faster and more efficiently, and many people lost their jobs.
This occurred across many industries but primarily related to those that produced products in mass quantities.
An example was the clothing industry, where machines could sew garments faster than a group of people working at sewing machines. This meant that many who had been performing this task before had to adjust. They either learned to use the new automated systems or moved to new careers.
AI Means We’re Entering A New Cycle In The Workforce
The inception of artificial intelligence will change the job market here in Australia and globally – now and in the future. There are going to be many who are going to find that their jobs are phased out, being no longer necessary for the organisation to operate efficiently. An example is the fast-food industry, where computers are already in place, taking orders from customers, removing the need for someone at the counter to take customers’ orders.
This is just one example, but one thing that many have not considered is that the recent Covid-19 pandemic greatly increased the rate at which AI has been used. Many businesses were shut during this time and many employees did not return to the workforce. This forced organisations to push for greater automation.
“AI will improve the bottom line of some businesses.”
When employees and employee-rights advocates push for wage increases, businesses may find that it is better for their bottom line to turn to AI as an alternative, successfully integrating it into the workforce.
The news seems even more bleak in the wake of a 2013 Oxford University study. This study found that 47% of jobs in the United States would be eliminated by AI by 2033. That is a significant disruption in the job market but does not only directly impact those who may lose their jobs. Those who have direct communication or interaction with these jobs as part of their role are going to find an adjustment as well. It means that there is going to be a meaningful change in the job market by the end of this decade.
AI Means A Rapidly Evolving Workforce
While the integration of AI in the workplace has many people concerned about future employment, there is no doubt some positions are likely going to be weaned out and replaced. Employees and future job seekers must consider that a new set of careers are going to dominate the workforce and make preparations for these changes.
Employees will need to be tech savvy and better educated.
The Industrial Revolution did not remove the need for employees. Instead, what it did was change the demand for what type of employee that was needed. Employees had to be more tech-savvy and better educated. This is going to be the same for the artificial intelligence age as well.
What Does AI Mean For School Leavers and Career Changers?
The inception of AI means that those who are entering the workforce or wanting to change their career path will need to focus their own education and efforts on these types of positions. The use of AI is going to decrease the need for some types of jobs. We see this in areas like customer service. Here automated phone service applications can answer most calls from users and customers without the need for a “live” person to be involved.
With positions being downgraded or eliminated, it is time for the workforce to adjust. Employees and those starting out in the workforce need to focus their efforts in areas where they are most likely to find employment. This can be challenging as one may not know exactly how the job market is moving.
Not knowing how the job market is moving is just one concern for some. There are many who were fearful that they may direct their efforts towards positions that lead them on a dead-end pathway. They could spend a significant amount of time and money learning a new occupation, only to find that job phased out. They also fear that wages may not increase for that position, making it impossible for them to support themselves.
Concerned? Seek Advice From An Experienced Career Coach
The buzz around AI is seeing many Australians already in the workforce and those about to enter it, seeking the expertise of career coaches to assist them in finding the right pathway. Not only can career coaching assist in helping to guide individuals in selecting the right career pathway, but it can also assist in promoting the individual to obtain a career that will last.
For advice on how you can start preparing now for the inception of AI in your industry, contact Sydney career coach, Tina Monk, on 0413 000 010 or request a complimentary introductory coaching session.
AI Will Provide New Career Paths
Below are some Here are some areas where a person could thrive in the artificial intelligence age.
Tech and IT Industries
This seems like an obvious area, and it is. The increased use of artificial intelligence in the workplace is going to mean a greater need for computer programmers, coders, network engineers, software engineers, data analysts, data security agents, and other types of tech-related professionals. Regardless of what Hollywood presents, AI does not operate on its own. It is the creation of coders, programmers, and engineers.
IT professionals will be in high demand.
These are going to be professionals that are in high demand. The wonderful thing about these positions is that it is not necessary for a person to be working for a large corporation writing and developing codes. Even small businesses are going to need technical assistance. Much like most organisations have a human resource specialist to assist with employee questions and concerns, businesses will have a tech resource specialist integrating the business with its AI applications.
The Legal Profession
Many analysts believe that the use of AI automation is going to decrease the need for some types of legal professionals. It could be that paralegals and legal assistants will become less necessary as the technology can provide many of the services, even and including writing legal briefs.
However, AI is going to open the door for many to get involved in the legal profession. Consider that the ability of AI programs to write briefs is likely going to mean that work is streamlined, with work being completed more efficiently and quickly. It will mean that records will be stored more efficiently and accessed with greater ease. A lot of the common everyday tasks will become automated, reducing the need for some of the support staff.
AI and automated processes may streamline the legal system.
However, many experts believe that this will change the speed at which much of the legal system operates. With judges and lawyers not needing a large staff to try to locate precedents, using automated technology instead, hearings, trials, and other types of administrative hearings will be handled more quickly. It will mean that there will be a greater need for judges and lawyers to handle the increased efficiency of the legal system.
This will also mean that those responsible for the enactment of enforcement of orders will also find an increase in responsibility. More jobs might be available for agencies responsible for collecting fines or support, enforcing judgments, or issuing court orders.
Building, Construction and Maintenance
It does not matter what age you are living in. There is going to be a need for what is often referred to as “unskilled labourers.” This is a very unfair characterisation of these jobs. There is no doubt about that, as many of these jobs require an incredible amount of talent, experience, and training to perform the tasks.
People who ‘work with their hands’ will remain a hot commodity.
People will still need homes. There will need to be experienced workers who can frame, nail, build, cut, and do other tasks that are necessary to build an apartment complex, house, or business structure. Very few, if any, can be performed in an automated world. Machines can only do so much, and so the labourer who can build or aid in the building of the structure is going to continue to be a hot commodity.
The same is true of those who can perform tasks like gardening, lawn care, landscaping, and other similar types of jobs. These tasks require a person to cut the bushes, mow the lawn, and perform other similar types of tasks.
One area that is sure to find a boom in the job market is maintenance. With all these machines performing tasks, there are going to be periods of time where they break down. Whether it is a mechanical problem, an issue with the software or hardware of the system, or a simple regular inspection to ensure that all things are running properly, the technician is going to become an incredibly valuable person to have for any business.
This should be one area where a person who likes working with their hands is going to find an easy pathway to success. Even if one is not talking about repairing an assembly line, there is still going to be plenty of work. People are going to need someone to for example, fix a leaky tap, install new electrical wiring, repair a hole in the roof, or fix a crack in the driveway. This opens the door for an array of opportunities.
AI Doesn’t Mean All Bad News For Jobseekers
Is the advancement of artificial intelligence technology going to change the marketplace for jobs? Most definitely. It is going to make a significant difference, and those looking to find a career pathway are going to need to adjust to these changes.
We need to recognise that this is something that happens on a regular basis. Even in the last one hundred years, there have been several advancements that have changed the way that society operates. Australia is not the same country that it was 40 years ago, as the computer age has dramatically changed the way that most businesses operate. People adjust, and with the right support, even maybe a little assistance from a career counselling and coaching service, a person can find a career pathway that can be lucrative and rewarding.
So, do not be discouraged. Just be prepared to ride the wave.
GET IN TOUCH
Tina Monk
0413 000 010
help@sydneycareercoaching.com.au
Complimentary career coaching introduction
Take advantage of our complimentary career coaching session to determine whether coaching is for you. We provide career coaching advice throughout Australia remotely, over the telephone and in person at Neutral Bay on Sydney’s North Shore.