Within the past two decades, the workforce has undergone radical changes due to the rise of automation and artificial intelligence replacing the technical skills, abilities and competencies required for multitudes of modern workers.
As these technologies continue to develop at a rapid rate and prove the capacity to outperform employees (all the while at a reduced cost) the labor market is predicted to change drastically within the next few years. Kai-Fu Lee, author of AI Superpowers, claims "AI is going to change the world more than anything in the history of mankind." While this can be detrimental to some careers, it also offers considerable benefits within the future job market.
While millions of modern day jobs will be phased out, many new ones will also be created.
What does this mean for students, recent graduates and emerging professionals? As intelligent machines become fixtures in the common workplace, professionals will need to be equipped to transform with shifting roles and job functions.
“60 percent of occupations - at least one-third of the constituent activities could be automated - implying substantial workplace transformations and changes for all workers. - McKinsey.com
While the outlook for technological growth and development in the workforce presents a distinct disparity between urban and rural areas, one fact remains universal:
Adapting to the changing trends, skill sets and rapidly advancing technology is critical to long-term career success in the future job market.
With the potential to extraordinarily improve the future of employee-company relations, students and professionals should embrace and prepare for these upcoming advancements in order to remain competitive in any industry.
“The reality is this technology will enhance us. So instead of artificial intelligence, I think we'll augment our intelligence.”
—Ginni Rometty, CEO of IBM
The positive news: automation and artificial intelligence will progressively enhance economic growth and increase productivity within various industries, but people will need to adapt just as quickly.
Millions of people worldwide will soon be faced with the reality of needing to upgrade their skill set or even make a career change.
As technology continues to automate and change the present-day workforce, all jobs will be impacted in some capacity, but not necessarily on an equal level. Careers that require creative, social, literary and interpersonal skills will continue to be in demand as they require the competence that artificial intelligence is unable to emulate.
The careers least likely to be affected by AI include:
1. Professional Sales Roles
2. Marketing Managers
3. Healthcare Providers/Psychiatrists
4. Lawyers
5. Chief Executives
6. Event Planners
7. Writers/Editors
8. Software Engineers
9. Data Scientists/Engineers
10. User Interface/Graphic Designers
The bottom line: AI has the ability to replace tasks, but not the empathy, judgement and leadership required for many occupations. Regardless, between the rise of artificial intelligence, automation, and the increasingly prominent gig economy, the workforce is swiftly acclimating to modern advancements and contemporary workplace cultural expectations, demanding students to proactively maintain pace in order to perform competitively with their peers.
PathMatch uses AI to match our clients to modern paths that are growing in demand and not going away any time soon. Check out how it works.
If you aren't a fan of websites, PathMatch now has an app that offers all the same great tips, tricks, and help. You can download it here.
