In today’s evolving workplace environment, artificial intelligence and robotics are already almost automating tasks … [+]
For some, the ascendancy of artificial intelligence and robotics raises the fear that these sophisticated and emerging technologies will one day eventually replace human workers.
In today’s evolving workplace environment, AI and robotics are already automating tasks in almost every sector, including manufacturing, data analytics, customer service and administration. Currently, repetitive and routine tasks are most susceptible to automation.
While artificial intelligence and robotics will undoubtedly change the nature of work, these technologies are unlikely to eradicate all jobs from existence. Emphasis is likely to shift toward human-AI collaboration and jobs requiring uniquely human skills. The future of work could include a combination of paid employment, a universal basic income and a renewed focus on finding meaning and fulfillment outside of traditional work structures.
The Future of Work
Many jobs require creativity, critical thinking, social skills, problem solving under pressure and the ability to handle unforeseen situations. As these are areas where artificial intelligence is still limited, it demonstrates the need for continued human skills in job functions.
However, many roles are likely to change, requiring different skill sets to work effectively with AI tools. The future of work will involve humans and artificial intelligence working together and leveraging each other’s strengths. For example, accountants may use AI to analyze data, but the tasks will still require human judgment to make complex decisions.
New positions are likely to emerge in areas such as artificial intelligence development, robot maintenance and data security, as well as jobs focused on human interaction and emotional intelligence to help bridge the gap.
The impact of artificial intelligence according to Elon Musk
Elon Musk, the co-founder and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, as well as the owner of X, formerly known as Twitter, believes that the impact of AI will be more far-reaching and transformative. He views AI as “the most destructive force in history”.
Speaking at the Viva Technology conference in Paris in May, Musk said that artificial intelligence will eventually make workers obsolete — a prediction he doesn’t necessarily see as doomsday.
According to the tech entrepreneur, highly advanced AI capabilities will displace the need for human labor and make traditional jobs redundant, in what he sees as a likely “benign scenario” for the future of work.
Employment would become voluntary and more like a hobby than a necessity. Rather than holding a job to survive, Musk sees people working simply for personal interest or creative satisfaction.
However, this raises the question of how people would find meaning in life, as their jobs provide them with meaning and identity that could be lost.
Making artificial intelligence economically obsolete could have significant mental health implications for a segment of the population that derives self-worth from its career and productive performance. Although it could offer them the opportunity to do volunteer work, passion projects or start their own business.
For work to become optional, we would have to live in an “age of abundance” achieved by “universally high incomes,” Musk said.
Universal Basic Income
On the other hand, computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton paints a much darker picture. The so-called “Godfather of Artificial Intelligence” told the BBC that universal basic income will need to be provided by the government to provide a safety net if automation catalyzes large-scale job displacement.
According to Hinton, the rich would profit from the benefits of AI and increased productivity, while people who lose their jobs suffer, which he says would be “very bad for society”.
Similarly, former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang has called for UBI payments to Americans to ensure a living income. Yang’s thesis was that once technology took over, millions of Americans would be overskilled and unable to hold decent jobs.
On a podcast with Yang in 2020, Block boss and former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said that — fairly soon — AI will write better code than his current software engineers. Dorsey predicted that technology will eat everyone’s lunch and no one is safe.
The meaning of adaptability and the meaning of work
One of the biggest criticisms of UBI is the extremely high cost of providing cash payments at a level sufficient to significantly affect poverty and inequality.
Regardless of the future, the ability to learn new skills and adapt to change will be key. Continuous education and upskilling will be essential to maintain relevance in the labor market.