AI is Here to Stay. Are You Ready to Work with AI?

Since the day artificial intelligence ceased being a sci-fi movie and merged with reality, people are afraid for their future, freedom, and jobs. All its benefits also make AI dangerous. It is no wonder millions think humans will lose their authority and fall under the control of this advanced intelligence.

It is a natural step in evolution, and this is not the first time it’s happening. For instance, one study estimates that roughly 400,000 jobs were lost to automation in U.S. factories from 1990 to 2007. However, tumultuous times typically accelerate technology, and we are currently going through one of the most challenging moments in history.

Companies try to prevent coronavirus infections and minimize financial spendings, resulting in lay-offs and hiring freezes. Over 60 million jobs were lost by October 2020 due to the pandemic in the U.S. only.

According to the World Economic Forum Report (2020), “a new generation of smart machines could potentially replace a large proportion of existing human jobs.” The WEF also found that automation will take the place of around 85 million jobs by 2025.

What does that mean for the HR industry, and what professions are in danger more than others?

Which Profession Could Be Safe From AI?

Even though artificial intelligence will displace a myriad of jobs, not every profession is in the perils of becoming obsolete. The WEF states that the tech will also result in 97 million new jobs across 26 countries in the next four years.

AI will automate various tedious and potentially dangerous jobs, such as data entry and assembly line manufacturing.

Here are some of the professions whose demand will decrease by 2025.

• Data entry clerks
• Administrative and executive secretaries
• Accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll clerks
• Accountants and auditors
• Assembly and factory workers
• Business services and administration managers

On the other side, jobs in high demand in the next five years are the following.

• Data analysts and scientists
• AI and machine learning specialists
• Big data specialists
• Digital marketing and strategy specialists
• Process automation specialists
• Business development professionals

What Does The Reign Of AI Mean For HR Industry?

One of the greatest fears is that many people won’t have the necessary skills to stay competitive in the job market and ensure their place in the AI realm. As a result, HR professionals in endangered industries could also stay without their jobs because the need for human candidates will cease to exist. On the other side, they could acquire new responsibilities, such as managing the tech and supervising machines.

With its automation of time-consuming processes, artificial intelligence is already reinventing human resources and making recruiting smoother. Tech such as ATS systems, recruitment management software, and resume parsers accelerate hiring and make finding the most compatible candidate more accurate.

As technology has immense benefits, such as increasing productivity, many HR professionals choose to embrace it and make the best out of it. In fact, 54 percent don’t see the next wave of technological innovation as a threat to the industry or their roles.

However, those fields that we can expect to be in high demand will likely require larger HR departments that will source high-quality candidates who are experts for AI tech. Many countries, such as Japan, Australia, and Canada, have a substantially low number of artificial intelligence specialists comparing to nations like the U.S., China, and India.

Tech companies based in places that lack AI experts won’t be selective because they’ll likely struggle with talent shortages. On the other side, countries rich with technological specialists could experience an abundance of qualified candidates, which could help them be more competitive in the market and picky concerning job applicants.

What can governments, organizations, and HR professionals do to ensure people have the necessary skills in the future?

Upskilling Of Employees Is An Armor Against AI Automation

The tech will inevitably change the workforce landscape and nature for different types of jobs. The future isn’t necessarily bleak because AI automation will take over time-consuming, overwhelming, and dangerous jobs. That allows humans to focus on activities that add genuine value and people interactions.

The governments, businesses, and HR professionals would have to work together to ensure everyone has a job and minimize inequity. It is how they can leverage the efficiency and productivity that technology emerges while saving jobs.

That requires a thorough collaboration of government and organizations in establishing the upskilling of employees and reskilling. These initiatives could help people improve their existing abilities, adopt the necessary tech knowledge, and prepare for future jobs and professions.

Get Ready For The Tech-Fueled Future

The pandemic accelerated technology adoption, reminding us that we are the witnesses of tech evolution every day. Automation will ease our lives, increase productivity, and speed-up business processes. But it will also replace jobs, introduce new ones, and re-architect the workforce.

We can’t fight it, but we can get ready by acquiring the necessary knowledge and abilities. That includes the upskilling of employees and developing openness to a tech-fueled world.