The future impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on jobs and human resources unnerves many people and generates a fair share of angst. This is born largely from concerns about job becoming redundant and the elimination of certain job skills.
Whilst this is indeed a probability with certain jobs it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. There is enormous scope to improve productivity with AI as it essentially replaces tasks rather than eliminating a job entirely. This gives employers the opportunity to focus their employees on higher-level tasks which will have a positive impact on the changing face of jobs.
Human Resources will need to focus more on redesigning jobs and business processes between high and low suitability for AI and separating these from jobs that require higher-level skills such as judgement, social skills, problem-solving abilities and good communication. Furthermore, training and up-skilling will become critical in HR Management and employees will need to embrace a culture of continuous learning.
By encouraging employees to take a positive view of AI they can play a vital role in identifying which aspects of a job can be automated whilst elevating their focus on those areas which require their involvement. Staff can, therefore, play a pivotal role in developing opportunities to employ AI which can deliver more value and services to customers.
Ultimately, AI and machine-learning will replace certain jobs or but the positive impact comes from an increase in the demand for high-level skills and technical capabilities. Processes that require soft skills and human capabilities will only be elevated further by incorporating AI.
According to the World Economic Forum AI has the potential of creating approximately 58 million new jobs. The table below taken from the WEF Future of Jobs Report 2018 indicates which jobs will be required in 2022.
Clearly, this is an opportunity for new skills development and youth training in the new world of machine automation.