There has been much scaremongering in recent years about the threat of AI to our jobs and careers.
Earlier this year the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) warned of a “jobs apocalypse” with almost 8 million UK jobs at risk as companies take up generative AI technologies.
As a career change coach, I’m being approached more and more by people, from a wide range of industries, who are considering a major pivot to avoid losing work to artificial intelligence in the future.
Should we be worried? Maybe not…
According to research by the World Economic Forum, 50% of organizations believe AI will result in job growth, while only 25% thought it would create job losses.
It’s probably a mixed picture.
At the moment, the main areas being affected are those involving repetitive cognitive tasks like bank clerks, admin and secretarial roles. These are often low paid and entry level.
I think it’s likely that most roles will simply change, rather than disappear, as we learn to work alongside these new technologies. My hope is that they will create more efficiency and, as the “robots” take up the slack on the more robotic type of work, they will allow us to lean into what we do best as humans like using our social and emotional skills and creativity.
What do you think?
Are you worried about the future of your work in the face of AI?
How might the rise of AI impact our sense of purpose and contribution as human beings?
Photo by Alex Knight on Unsplash