Answering the Ultimate Question: Will AI replace our jobs?

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No

Before diving deeper into this topic, let us take a road trip down history and ask ourselves: did machinery increase unemployment rates? Or, as it is called, technological unemployment.

To quote David.H, “Throughout history, technological change did not cause unemployment in the long run, even though it did cause some disruptions to the labor market in the short run while workers adapted themselves.”

To further elaborate, technology does automate many tasks that would shock the market into a ‘short’ increase in unemployment rates; however, this is based on the assumptions that all companies adopt AI technology at the same time, the country has the money and infrastructure to support said technology, and employees do not adapt to changes in their environment. Which is an impossible scenario. 

The Role of AI in our Jobs:

From automating processes to performing accurate forecasting trends, uncovering complex patterns and trends, etc., AI is considered a technological breakthrough in business intelligence and all industries. This frees up valuable resources and allows employees to focus on more strategic and value-added activities, reciprocating the widespread belief that it will replace humans. 

Although AI can replicate the routine tasks of employees, it is still not capable of gaining emotional intelligence and creativity. Therefore, rather than learning the deep roots of tasks or technical skills, we should all start developing our soft skills. Soft skills are referred to as people skills; these include communication, interpersonal, leadership, presentation, problem solving, time management, and teamwork. 

These skills will be crucial in the era of AI. Think of it this way: what the machines can’t do, we must do. However, in this same era, we never know what is waiting for us; we need to be ready for any changes in our environment. 

According to Lima et al., one of the largest factors that cause technological unemployment is ‘skills mismatch.” Employees don’t adopt the technology, learn about it, or stay updated with their industry’s advancements. They, therefore, fall behind industry trends and are unwanted by the companies that are racing for maximum efficiency with lower costs. 

To be ready for changes, we need to develop a very important skill: agility. Agility is the ability to adapt quickly to changes. AI solutions are highly agile, and so should we be. This means being willing to learn new skills, take on new responsibilities, and pivot to new career paths.

To be constantly learning and adapting to new technologies (instead of fighting them). You need to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in your field and industry by attending workshops and conferences and taking courses.

Regardless of that, keep in mind that many farmers have lost their jobs in America in the past three decades because of the introduction of machinery. However, in Egypt, this is not the case; as a developing country, we are yet to adopt such technology. So no, in Egypt, there is a very low chance of people losing their jobs because of AI technology compared to western countries, where 12% of jobs have a high risk of being automated.

 Published on: July 11, 2024