“Will AI Take Control of Jobs in the Future?” you might wonder. When you ask a group of people for their thoughts, you will certainly get a range of responses. Some might argue that “no, AI will make our jobs easier,” while others might argue that “yes, we will undoubtedly lose our jobs.” It’s a controversial issue that’s been a mystery for a long time. 

However, since the release of COVID-19, a lot has changed in our lifestyles, businesses, and economy as a whole. AI is no exception, and it is educating us about its importance. It is used in various industries, including retail, health care, telecommunications, agriculture, and construction.

Artificial intelligence, or AI, seems to be on everyone’s very skin these days. While I’ve known about this major trend in tech development for a while, I’ve noticed AI transforming one of the most sought-after areas of expertise for job seekers.

I’m sure the term “AI” brings back sci-fi fantasies or fears of droids taking over the world for many of us. However, no one can accurately predict how AI will evolve in the future. Existing trends and developments paint a very different picture of how AI will become a part of our lives.

AI is already at work all around us, impacting all from our search results to our chances of finding love online to the way we shop. According to statistics, the use of AI in many business sectors has increased by 270% in the last four years.

Let’s start with the Basics.

According to Ian Ferguson of Lynx Software Technologies, robots have a unique strength that humans will never match. Robots, for example, can be programmed to be powerful, precise, and quick. In addition, because they lack emotions, they will never be bored. However, there are some qualities that a robot will never be able to replicate, such as “humanness” (emotions). Sound, sight, smell, taste, and touch (The five senses of humans) – are required for various jobs. For instance, consider teaching: Consider what it would be like to be taught by robots. Robots may provide you with quick, personalised, and vast information. However, you’ll still need that “humanness” to connect with students deeply.

Judges and lawyers are other examples. Robots can memorise all of the articles, rules, and acts. Still, judges use a combination of emotions and logic to reach their decisions. Similarly, lawyers present their case to the judge using both emotions and logic (facts).

What Impact Has COVID-19 Had on the AI Industry?

The artificial intelligence market has benefited from COVID-19. According to the most recent study and survey reports, the global artificial intelligence market was worth $62.35 billion in 2020 and is predicted to rise at a CAGR of 40.2% from 2021 to 2028. This expansion is fueled by digital giants such as Apple, Facebook, and Google spending in artificial intelligence research and development (R & R&D).

As a byproduct of ongoing research and development, the new applications of AI for the benefit of people are emerging. For example, Google launched the Rapid Response Virtual Agent, an AI-enabled chatbot for call centres, in April 2020. This chatbot is designed to help customers with COVID-19-related issues via voice, chat, and other social media channels.

Now let’s take a look at a few more instances where AI has proven beneficial during COVID-19.

• The Adecco Group has implemented DocuSign to assist its employees with hiring and payroll. All of its employees work remotely. These tasks could only be completed at the office before COVID-19.
• During COVID-19, Zoom, the video-conferencing app, increased daily meeting participants from 10 million to over 300 million. This may be possible due to remote work, which has pushed employees and business people to conduct online meetings. Furthermore, the Zoom application for other purposes, such as online teaching and personal meetings, has skyrocketed. Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, is scrubbing the floors with robots. Furthermore, robots are being utilised to assess temperature and dispense hand sanitisers in South Korea.
• Many organisations, particularly in China and Europe, invest in ultraviolet-light-disinfection robots to clean and sanitise workspaces. In addition, fast-food restaurants such as McDonald’s are experimenting with using robots as cooks and waitresses.

These are just a few instances. But if we look around, we can see how artificial intelligence has taken over many of the duties previously performed by people to maintain social distance, particularly in the healthcare industry.

AI & The Future Of Work

Suppose you want to upskill your career or make your professional profile more competitive in the job market. In that case, AI is a terrific location to spend your energy, especially because AI will have such far-reaching effects across many industries.

Many lists of the most vital skills in today’s job market include AI and machine learning. In the next five years, jobs requiring AI or machine-learning skills are predicted to grow by 71%. Consider some of the outstanding free online course options that focus on AI skills if you’d like to increase your knowledge base in this area.

If you’re tech-savvy, it’s a good idea to dive in and learn everything you can about working with AI. However, if your skills lay elsewhere, it’s crucial to recognise that AI will have a significant impact. Therefore, it would help if you endeavoured to learn the principles of how it works in various fields to the best of your abilities.

Wrapping Up

According to a recent World Economic Forum report, robots, automation, and artificial intelligence might replace 85 million jobs globally by 2025. It will, however, generate 97 million additional jobs in the future.

When it comes to the bad aspects of AI, there have been numerous data breaches in the past. For example, when Zoom’s data was allegedly transmitted to China, their video calls were released online. The well-known Facebook/Cambridge Analytica data debacle is also a notable example.

It is still unknown how we can maintain data security in the future after thoroughly evaluating all the facts and figures. But one thing is certain: while artificial intelligence will eliminate many jobs, it will also create many more! So, Robots and people will share some jobs.

Whether we like it or not, AI is here to stay. I don’t believe we should be concerned. Being aware of and adapting to new technologies, including AI, is the greatest way to move forward.