AI a threat to the workforce?
AI will replace 800 million jobs by 2030. Boston Consulting Group predicts that by 2025, up to a quarter of jobs will be replaced by either smart software or robots. A study from Oxford University suggested that 35% of existing UK jobs are at risk of automation in the next two decades. Is AI a threat to the workforce of today? What can we do to secure the jobs of tomorrow?
Jobs lost, jobs gained
A McKinsey report on the impact of AI on the workforce predicts that in about 60 percent of occupations, at least one-third of the constituent activities could be automated.
Automation and AI will lift productivity and economic growth, but will also cause substantial workplace transformations and changes for all workers. Millions of people worldwide may need to switch occupations or upgrade their skills.
People responsible for physical activities in predictable environments, such as operating machinery and preparing fast food, and people collecting and processing data are most susceptible to automation. In general, automating tasks that can be done better and faster with machines and command relatively high wages, are highly attractive business propositions and could displace large amounts of labor.
Automation will have a lesser effect on jobs that involve managing people, applying expertise, and social interactions, where machines are unable to match human performance for now.
In theMcKinsey report, they estimate that 250 million to 280 million new jobs could be created indirectly from new technological advancements in a range of sectors as a result of rising incomes and consumption. For example, aging populations will drive a significant demand on doctors, nurses and other healthcare professions. By 2030, they estimate developing and deploying new technologies can create 20 million to 50 million jobs globally.
Seventy-five million to 375 million people may need to switch occupational categories and learn new skills.
Read more in the report below, and find out how particular sections will be affected from the interactive figures. Reading this, what do you think the impact might be on your own career? How might thinking about this now change the way you approach your career?
Will a robot take my job?
In 2015, the big question was ‘Will a robot take your job?’. Journalists, taxi drivers, doctors, waiters, decision makers, who will be replaced and why?
Try the tool below, provided by BBC, to check the likelihood that your planned new job will be automated in the next two decades.
Another tool, based on a report on “The Future of Employment: How susceptible are jobs to computerisation?”, published in 2013 can be found here:
In 2017, it’s not a question of whether your job will be automated or not, but a question of when. Read the article below on predicting how long it may take for machines to outperform humans on various tasks.
“I don’t think there are any tasks humans can do that AI will be technically unable to carry out.” Katja Grace
In 2018, hotels are run by robots and supermarkets don’t need checkout staff. What does this mean for people in low paid jobs, and what will customers make of it?
What can we do?
“There will still be tasks that can only be conducted by a human because we will care that they are.” Katja Grace, AI impacts project
Prime Minister Theresa May has said at the Davos 2018, the government is committed to helping “people secure the jobs of tomorrow”, with plans already in place to create a new national retraining scheme to help workers develop new skills.
“We need to reform the education system to give young people the skills to thrive in the future, and we also need greater investment in lifelong learning to help adults adapt to the changing labour market.” Andrew Carter, chief executive of Centre for Cities
What do you think? What can and will you do to secure the jobs of tomorrow?
