Is AI coming for your job? | View Beyond

Want to know what's been on my mind?

Simple: What will people do when there isn't a need for them to get work done?

And are we ready

(and I mean REALLY ready)

to even have that conversation yet?

In amongst all the Terminator-esque fear pieces telling us how AI-powered robots will wipe out the human race

(Asimov, oh Asimov... we need you now...)

there's a much more realistic, and imminent, scenario: the impact of AI on white collar jobs.

You see, while we've all heard about how manufacturing automation revolutionized blue collar industries

(leading to globalization and staggering levels of wealth inequality)

I fear we are wholly unprepared for a similar transformation of the professional world!

The AI Revolution

Despite media hysteria, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not just a buzzword; it's a reality that's reshaping various industries.

While it has gained prominence in the zeitgeist in recent years, AI has been gradually integrated into our lives for decades - and it's rapidly gaining momentum in the corporate world. The promise of increased efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and cost reduction is driving organizations to adopt AI technologies at an unprecedented pace.

And here's the issue - when the bean counters realized they could save beans by automating the "little people" on the manufacturing line, they took that opportunity con mucho gusto

(take a tour through the Rust Belt, or the abandoned factories of Puerto Rico, to see the consequences)

and, for sure, profits followed.

But here's the thing. Now, thanks to AI that is smarter, faster and, frankly, in many cases easier to deal with, the bean counters have become the "little people".

And, much BIGGER profits can follow when high-salaried professionals are tossed unceremoniously on the scrap heap.

Don't think it's coming?

Profit wins. Period.

The Impact on White Collar Jobs

Traditionally, when we think of automation and job displacement, we envision factory workers and laborers. However, the rise of AI is set to transform white collar jobs as well. Roles that involve routine, repetitive tasks, data analysis, and even customer service are already being automated.

Why is this happening?

1. Efficiency and Accuracy: AI can process vast amounts of data more accurately and quickly than humans. This means tasks like data entry, analysis, and even legal document review can be done more efficiently.
2. Cost Reduction: Companies are looking to cut costs, and AI can help achieve this by automating tasks that were previously handled by a team of professionals.
3. 24/7 Availability: AI doesn't need breaks or sleep. It can provide customer support around the clock, which is a significant advantage in today's global economy.

Adapting to Change

While the rise of AI presents challenges, it also offers opportunities. We must adapt and prepare for this changing landscape. Here are some steps to consider:

1. Skill Enhancement: Upskilling is crucial. Embrace lifelong learning to stay relevant. Focus on developing skills that complement AI, such as critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence.
2. Collaboration: AI can be a powerful tool when used alongside human expertise. Emphasize collaboration between humans and machines to maximize productivity.
3. Resilience: Cultivate adaptability and resilience. The ability to embrace change and learn from it will be a valuable asset in the AI era.

Wait...

...

...

I'm pausing for a reason. You see, I have a little confession to make: those last two sections, with the bullets, were written by ChatGPT, which I've spent time training to write in my voice. To be very clear, I didn't need to edit them.

And to paraphrase Marvin The Paranoid Android - here I am with an ego the size of a planet and I'm looking at these words and thinking, am I necessary to this process?

For now the answer is yes; while AI can perform many tasks efficiently, it lacks the human touch. It can't replace the empathy, creativity, and intuition that humans bring to the table

(in fact, I would argue this is where we must carve out our niche in the evolving job market)

And, of course all of that last paragraph needs a massive, resounding "YET" attached to it.

But, even with that caveat, the reality is staring us in the face.

Even if I'm still necessary to provide the spark of an idea, and exercise editorial control over my ChatGPT writers' room, the truth is that what once would have taken me a couple of hours to write is now doable within 30 minutes.

Now, imagine that I'm a multi-person company - with my bean counting head on, I see a quadrupling of productivity - which means I can either a) instruct Vince to write 4 articles in the same time that he used to write 1; or b) I can replace 4 Vince's with one new Vince who does all the writing.

Regardless of direction, the content or the people, it's all surplus to requirements - and the pursuit of profit won't consider whether or not it's the right thing to let happen

(do I need to do the parens thing again to prove that profit doesn't care? OK. One word: Oxycontin)

Now, here's the conclusion that ChatGPT wrote:

Conclusion

The transformation of white collar jobs by AI is not a question of "if" but "when." As professionals, we need to embrace this change, continually evolve, and leverage our unique human capabilities. Remember, automation has historically created more jobs than it has destroyed, and the same could hold true for the AI revolution.

Isn't that nice :)

In future editions of View Beyond, I'm going to be coming back to this subject and the implications, and I'd love you to be part of the conversation, so let's hit the comments section!