The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Workforce and How to Prepare for It

Since the emergence of the artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT, AI has become the most tossed-around term in the IT sector. In fact, it is wider than just information technology. Sectors like healthcare, automotive, hospitality, and even government are seriously considering AI. While this technology has been incorporated into various industries, there is also the fear of losing jobs due to the efficiency and advanced operations of AI. So, people keep asking me what I think about it.?

So, a month or so ago, I came across a forwarded message on my WhatsApp that ChatGPT could write a poem. I'm not exactly a poet, but I can still tell you how good poetry reads. And it was a good poem! When people used to talk about AI before, it used to be about mechanical chatbots or different software for tasks. But this AI could almost think and feel like a human being to write a poem, "almost" being the keyword here. Within a couple of days, a newspaper reported that ChatGPT had cleared the exams at the US Law School. Well, we are finally living in the era of sci-fi films! But again, I would stress the word "almost".?

What is AI?

AI, or artificial intelligence, refers to machines that can perform the tasks for which human intelligence is required. AI can do simpler tasks like organising data as well as complex tasks like communication, decision-making, and problem-solving. Owing to the current growth of AI?

technology, the buzz is that it might become the reason for many job losses.?

Can Artificial Intelligence Replace Human Intelligence??

The morning I sat down to write this piece, I saw the news of Dr. Geoffrey Hinton’s, the "AI Godfather's,", resignation from Google. To the BBC, he said that we are living in a dangerous time when AI is "almost" as intelligent as human beings and soon it will catch up. In March, an open letter was released and cosigned by the biggies in the AI tech world, including Elon Musk, to stop all development in the AI world after the current version of ChatGPT.?

As I have said on multiple platforms, AI is not yet equal to the human mind, and I stick by that. However, it is undeniable that it has a lot of potential. Can it become an alternative to human intelligence? Well, in my opinion, the biggest difference between a human being and AI is creativity. As long as humans are creative, there will be no competition. That also leaves the opportunity for upskilling.?

How Can We Work with AI and How to Prepare for It?

AI can be used in various fields that will only enhance the operation. No, we are not in the era of robots where we will all be replaced. That will not happen, at least not now. But what can be done is incorporate AI into business, in areas where efforts are required for repetitive tasks. In any field, repetitive tasks can take a lot of time and be tedious enough to cause unwanted human errors. With the help of AI, this can be changed. With data augmentation, AI can perform this kind of task way better than we, humans do. This reduces the chance of errors too. After all, unlike us, AI does not get bored easily.?

On the other hand, it frees up a lot of time for the staff so that they can focus on the tasks that demand creativity, innovation, and ideation. This is the scope for the team members upskilling. As AI takes care of the repetitive tasks, they can use the time to train, get certified, innovate, and create. Also, to enable AI more specifically for the? requirements of businesses and industry, the workforce needs to be equipped with the proper training and data. This will create more job opportunities in machine learning, data analysis, and AI development.?

So, instead of thinking about how many are going to be unemployed, we can think of constructive ways to use AI to our advantage. Henry Ford once said, "Men minus the machine are slaves; men plus the machine are freemen." So, you have the potential to be more independent and efficient if you can master how to use machines for your own good. And finally, rely on your creativity.?