As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly pervasive, so have headlines about robots taking people’s jobs. While there’s undoubtedly truth in that (in as much as new technologies have always rendered some jobs obsolete), the societal impact of these new technologies is frequently misunderstood.
That’s according to Tanja Lategan, the CEO of digital transformation consultancy Enlight Strategic. She believes that 2020 should be the year we learn to stop fearing AI and robotics but rather focus our attention on how technology can complement humanity.
“Certain jobs are being, and will continue to be, replaced,” she said. “But on the whole, new jobs will also be created and human beings are likely to remain central to the workplace for a long time to come. In fact, it is predicted that by the end of 2020, artificial intelligence will be a positive net job motivator, creating 2.3 million jobs worldwide while only eliminating 1.8 million jobs.”
While there have been plenty of predictions about the industries that will be most affected by these new technologies, Lategan said it is a more complex task than many believe.
Industries likely to be affected by AI and robots include agriculture, call centres, banking and retail. Within these industries, some companies will thrive and others will fail. Which category any given company falls into will largely depend on its attitude to technology.
“The companies that will be most resilient are those that embrace digital transformation, adapt to the changing world and take advantage of the opportunities offered by new technology” she said.
It is also important to reiterate that in most industries, technology could enhance the abilities of human employees rather than replace them. But for that to happen, human workers will have to develop skills outside their traditional scope.
But what do these skills look like?
“The simplest answer is to be better at being human,” he said. “Robots and automation typically take on repetitive work. What they struggle with is creative and abstract thinking.”
A look at the World Economic Forum’s Top 10 Skills for 2020 – which includes complex problem solving, critical thinking and emotional intelligence – shows exactly how important “human” skills are.
“The reality is that AI is much less of a threat to human employees than is sometimes presented,” concluded Lategan. “But companies and industries need to take a long-term view and understand that AI is most effective when combined with human talent and not when it is just used as a replacement.”
Supplied by Enlight Strategic.
