Will AI Really Take Over Our Jobs?
Written by Abisola Tiwalade Fayinka
Hey there Tech enthusiast,
Welcome to another article on tech as we try to learn about this new oil, sorry world together. If you are a lawyer, an accountant, a doctor, or a service provider generally, then you must have thought about the fact that like a thief in the night, Artificial Intelligence is definitely sneaking up on you. Or you might have heard someone say that robots are coming to take all our jobs in the nearest future (even though they don’t remember to tell us when that nearest future is). This has probably caused some of us to worry ( I won’t even lie, me too.) about the safety of the skills we currently possess and the jobs that we hold dear.
Some days ago, I was discussing with a friend about future career plans and he told me that in deciding what career path to choose (he is good at many things), he is considering what skills will be relevant in the near future. He is worried about starting a career in an industry where a robot can carry out his job efficiently without human error, and then, his skills and experiences will become irrelevant. This made me realize that we need to discuss these issues and suggest ways to stand the test of time.
The term ‘Artificial Intelligence’ was coined by John McCarthy and it is defined as the development and use of machines to execute tasks that usually require human intelligence. Machines have been developed over the years to aid various human activities and make the execution of certain activities easier and faster. For instance, the spinning jenny replaced weavers, buttons displaced elevator operators, and the Internet has driven travel agencies out of business. Hence, it is no surprise that they are now being deployed in the workplace. Different studies have come up with what the future of jobs will look like due to AI and it is predicted that sectors such as Manufacturing, Law, Medicine, and many more will be affected.
Even more concerning is the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the development of AI. These machines were already being created to take over various tasks, however, the global pandemic has sped up this process. It has led to the rapid development of automation technology for most jobs. Hospitals and universities used Sally, a salad-making robot created by tech company Chowbotics, to replace restaurant employees; department stores and stadiums purchased Knightscope security-guard robots to patrol empty real estate, and manufacturers of in-demand supplies like hospital beds and cotton swabs turned to industrial robot supplier Yaskawa America to help them increase production. Even after the world opened up again, there was no need to employ people back to those jobs.
So, what can we do to avoid impending doom? First, we all need to calm down. (Yeah, surprising right?). Truthfully, it is not as bad as the media tries to paint it as. Yes, machines are being developed every day but we are not going to wake up tomorrow and robots have infested our streets doing everything humans can do. Although now slightly hastened by the pandemic, we can think of the development of machines as a slow but steady rise. Most of our current jobs and skills will still be relevant for a while. Also, despite the creation of machines and robots, there will definitely still be a need for human input. Studies have shown that even though AI will take a lot of jobs, it will also create many jobs. According to the World Economic Forum, AI is expected to replace 85 million jobs worldwide by 2025 but it is also expected to create 97 million new jobs in that same timeframe. However, the new jobs created will be slightly different. They will be more technologically inclined so in order to get those jobs, we must evolve.
Change is the only thing that is constant in life. Thus, to prepare for the future of work, we must change from what we are used to. We must focus on the skills that will become relevant in the future and stop holding on to our ability to carry out mundane tasks. For example, at some point being able to use a typewriter made you a star but guess what happened after computers became popular? Well, nobody cared about typewriters anymore. Skills such as data analytics, blockchain, search engine optimization and more will be relevant in the future so getting them is important.
Finally, the next time someone tells me that AI is coming to take our jobs, I am telling them to calm down and I hope you do the same.
Love,
A tech enthusiast.
Abisola Tiwalade Fayinka
Abisola Tiwalade Fayinka is a graduate of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos. She is a technology law enthusiast and a start-up legal adviser. Connect with Abisola on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.
Edited by Titilope Adedokun
Titilope Adedokun is the Founder of Sisterly HQ, and a graduate of Law from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. She is passionate about telling authentic stories of women and connecting them with much-needed resources and opportunities. Connect with Titilope on LinkedIn.
