The birth of the AICONOMY

Guido Rojer, Jr.
4 min readMar 28, 2023

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There has been a lot of movement going on eversince ChatGPT burst onto the scenes, at the end of 2022. All of a sudden, it seems, there is palpable evidence of the universal and widespread applications of artificial intelligence (AI). We as a collective now have one unequivocal experience that unifies the concept of AI. It is in essence the single moment in time where AI has shown itself in robust design form, allowing even laggards to recognize its value. Are we really witnessing the birth of an AIconomy? Let’s take a look.

The AIconomy is a term used to describe the economic impact of AI. The AIconomy refers to the economic activities related to the development, deployment, and use of AI technologies. It includes the production of AI hardware and software, the provision of AI-related services such as consulting, and the use of AI in various industries such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing.

The AIconomy is expected to have a significant impact on the global economy in the coming years. According to a report by PwC, AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. This economic impact will be driven by increased productivity, improved efficiency, and the creation of new business models and job roles.

One of the key drivers of the AIconomy is the development of AI technologies. AI technologies include machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision, among others. These technologies are being used to automate routine tasks, improve decision-making, and enable new forms of human-computer interaction.

The AIconomy is also creating new job roles and industries. As AI technologies become more prevalent, new job roles such as data scientists, AI engineers, and AI ethicists are emerging. These job roles require specialized skills and expertise in areas such as data analysis, machine learning, and ethics.

In addition, the AIconomy is creating new industries such as autonomous vehicles, healthcare AI, and financial technology (fintech). These industries are expected to grow rapidly in the coming years, driven by the increasing adoption of AI technologies.

The AIconomy represents a significant opportunity for businesses and individuals to create value and generate economic growth. However, it also poses challenges such as job displacement and ethical considerations related to the use of AI. But AI is transforming the job market by automating tasks, creating new job roles, and changing the skills and qualifications required for various professions. Here are some of the ways AI is influencing jobs:

  1. Automation of routine tasks: AI is being used to automate routine tasks that were previously performed by humans, such as data entry, data analysis, and customer service. This can lead to job displacement for workers in these industries, but it can also free up time for workers to focus on more complex and creative tasks.
  2. Creation of new job roles: AI is also creating new job roles that require skills in areas such as data science, machine learning, and natural language processing. These roles include data analysts, machine learning engineers, and AI researchers. As AI technology continues to evolve, it is likely that new job roles will emerge, creating opportunities for individuals with the necessary skills and expertise.
  3. Changes in the skills and qualifications required for various professions: As AI technology becomes more prevalent, the skills and qualifications required for various professions are also changing. For example, doctors and nurses may need to have a better understanding of AI algorithms and how they can be used to improve patient care. Similarly, lawyers may need to have a better understanding of AI and how it can be used to analyze legal documents.
  4. Increased demand for human skills: While AI is good at tasks that require data analysis and computation, it is not as good at tasks that require creativity, empathy, and critical thinking. This means that there is an increased demand for human skills such as creativity, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence.
  5. Impacts on the economy: The automation of tasks and creation of new job roles can have significant impacts on the economy. While some workers may be displaced by automation, new job roles may create opportunities for individuals to earn higher wages and improve their standard of living.

AI is influencing jobs in various ways, including the automation of routine tasks, the creation of new job roles, changes in the skills and qualifications required for various professions, an increased demand for human skills, and impacts on the economy. As AI technology continues to evolve, it is important for individuals to develop the skills and expertise needed to adapt to these changes and thrive in an AI-influenced job market.

ChatGPT has given rise to an unprescedented robust design that challenges many of the things we have considered part of a slow(er) evolution just half a year ago. The AIconomy was already well underway, but this disruption has torn down the floodgates. I’m pretty sure we will look back and see this like we remember the events that lead up to the internet, email, and social media.

I’ve already published some work on Digital Transformation, but the AIconomy is a whole new ball game. It will be important to balance the economic benefits with the social and ethical considerations to ensure that the AIconomy benefits society as a whole.

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Guido Rojer, Jr.

Guido is a Curacaoan scholar, author, and enfant terrible. He specializes on Island Based Firms, and talks about technology and economic evolution.