Work

Uses and Trends

The coming disruptive changes to the modern-day job market is one of the largest issues that we face today regarding Artificial Intelligence. As we’ve implemented computers into most of our workplaces, some jobs have reached a point of near-automation, requiring only minor input from someone with an organic mind, and as these technologies advance we will begin to see more and more jobs be taken over by AIs. Greg Shannon, a chief scientist at Carnegie Mellon states, “AI will do well for repetitive work where ‘close’ will be good enough and humans dislike the work…those who know how to use it will have immense power over those who don’t/can’t…many will be free from mundane, unengaging tasks/jobs. If elements of community happiness are part of AI objective functions, then AI could catalyze and explosion of happiness.” (Anderson, Raine, & Luchsinger, 2018). The point Shannon brings up about those who can use AI having power is a large point of disruptive change that we may begin to see, but on the other hand AIs “catalyzing” an explosion of happiness doesn’t sound all that bad. 

Disruptive Impact

In an article posted on World Economic Forum, Igor Perisic shares his analysis on how the current job market is splitting into two. “Our analysis uncovered two concurrent trends: the continued rise of tech jobs and skills, and, in parallel, a growth in what we call “human-centric” jobs and skills. That is, those that depend on intrinsically human qualities.” (Perisic, 2018). Apart from this schism, we can see that using data he retrieved from LinkedIn, AI skills are among the fastest-growing skills. These “AI skills” are, more specifically, skills that are needed to create AI technologies such as neural networks, deep learning, and machine learning. 

Predictions

Continuing with the article, Perisic predicts “it’s estimated that by It’s estimated that by 2025, the amount of work done by machines will jump from 29% to more than 50% – but that this rapid shift will be accompanied by new labour-market demands that may result in more, rather than fewer, jobs. As the report notes, these predictions “[provide] grounds for both optimism and caution”. (Perisic, 2018). It a bit unrealistic to say that human workers will ever be entirely replaced by AI, and we have yet to see what new types of jobs will be created by the implementation of AI, so you shouldn’t really worry about the robots stealing your jobs just yet.