The Future of work!

Is AI, or more precisely- Artificial Intelligence, a boon or a bane? Some will say boon and others will say bane, based on their particular perspectives. It is, thus, a never-ending debate.

With the rapid progress in the field of science, technology has taken precedence, and with this rising technology, AI has become very popular. Although it is a very handy and cheap way of getting things done, not just by students and researchers but also by large business enterprises. But what about the threats on jobs that this particular scientific invention poses!

As per the World Economic Forum Report, AI would take away 85 million jobs by 2025. Although a few jobs in the field of data science, machine learning, information security and digital marketing are increasing at a high rate, the tremendous reduction in employment levels in other fields is a cause of great concern for all the governments and international bodies. This reduction is so large that small employment growth levels in the field of science cannot provide enough cushion for the world to sustain.

So, what can be done?

Should we stop inventions? No!

Should we let people think for themselves or starve to death due to lack of jobs and hence, income? A big no!

Should we wait for some government policy to come and help people? Certainly no!

There is a need to change our own skillsets and to redefine job roles. All we need are some new strategies, plans, and tactics, a change in ourselves that aligns with the speed of change in this technical world. Though, the change has already begun, it is not as fast as the world demands.

AI technologies, including machine learning, robotics, and natural language processing have already started redefining our jobs in various sectors. Routine tasks like customer services, data collection, personalized marketing, and a bunch of other activities are being automated. Humans are there to focus more on creative, strategic and complex tasks involving thinking and analytical process.

This changing scenario is calling for a reskilling imperative- a proactive measure to upskill the workforce to work, thrive, and survive in this AI augmented environment. Since traditional roles of employees in the organization have started to change drastically, all individuals required is to acquire new skills that correspond to this new organizational environment. Organizations, thus, need to start strategies where employees learn, unlearn, and relearn continuously. Therefore, measures need to be taken to identify the skill gaps, provide relevant training to bridge those gaps, and take active measures, all while creating a learning organizational environment. And this requires a change in learning; learning that is more conducive in today’s environment.

And AI again comes into picture. AI can be used as a great tool in delivering personalized knowledge and adaptive learning experience. From delivering knowledge to analysing the results, AI plays a pivotal role in each aspect of this learning phase. Individual employee performance data can be analysed using machine learning algorithms, which can then offer us a variety of improvement measures like tailored training programs, which can help us optimize new skills. Also, online courses and platforms can ensure flexible, accessible, and continuous learning, to help individuals acquire skills at their own time, pace and space.

So, do you still think that the future will be AI versus Humans? If you ask me, I will respond in negative. The future is not AI versus Humans, but rather AI with humans. It will not only enhance productivity and innovation, but will also result in more accuracy and reliability. The future job roles will require the individuals to work alongside AI systems. This will require a perfect composition of skills, or precisely technical knowledge, and deep understanding of AI capabilities. These skills will empower employees to use AI tools effectively, interpret results, and make informed and trustworthy decisions.

No doubt that AI can analyse data and interpret results faster than humans, that too in a better way, but it will fall short when there will be a need of creativity, innovation, and emotional intelligence (EQ). It will lack all the emotional understanding, feeling, and intuition. But these characteristics are pivotal to foster relationships, whether among employees within the organization, or with the customers. So, no matter what the AI can do, humans are needed to utilize these unique human attributes to design innovation and novel solutions. Job roles will evolve to include creative problem solvers, innovation facilitators, and customer experience advocates.

Indeed, redefining job roles across industries and organisations requires a strategic approach to reskill and upskill workforce, due to the rise of AI. It needs to be looked as a potential partner and collaborator, rather than a competitor. Need of the organisations and individuals is to embrace its transformative potential, and hence, foster a culture of continuous learning, promote adaptability, and capitalize uniquely human qualities. We need to focus on high productivity that AI can offer to the world with a constant collaboration of human skills, leading to higher productivity, innovation, and satisfaction. Proactive reskilling plans will be the basis of a successful workforce in the AI-driven age as we traverse this changing terrain, for the success of organisations as well as the individuals.