Developments in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) are having a profound impact on the future of the global workforce. According to a recent survey, 41% of employers worldwide expect to decrease their workforce due to AI developments. In the U.S., this number climbs even higher to 48%. This is a worrying development in relation to job security as companies further adopt AI technologies into their processes.
The state of potential job displacement paints an alarming picture. Key leaders in the tech world are pressing this debate forward. Mark Cuban and Jensen Huang, both prominent tech CEOs, use AI every day to code, compose emails, and do other tasks. From writing first drafts to sending emails to even receiving medical advice, they are turning to AI. Their firsthand experience with AI should allay any fears about the technology’s increasing—and beneficial—role in daily work processes.
As we salute those who have been displaced due to AI, there lies a silver lining. About 77% of employers intend to reskill their existing employees to better collaborate with AI. This forward-looking strategy not only gives employees the opportunity to adjust to evolving job demands, but it opens the door for workers to enter new careers. Moreover, too few employers—just 47%—are actively preparing to transition employees out of declining roles. They want to move them into more productive roles in their institutions.
As this trend continues to push AI further, what’s next for your job or profession? According to industry leaders such as Bill Gates, some professions just won’t exist in a few years. Doctors and teachers specifically might feel the impact of AI’s rapid advancements. Now the technology is mature and can accomplish much more complicated tasks quickly and effectively. This unbelievable progress has led to apps that used to require an entire squad of 350 developers to build.
Mo Gawdat is one of the most visible voices advocating against AI’s threat to jobs. He encourages us to change the way we think about work. He states, “We defined our purpose as work. That’s a capitalist lie.” Gawdat argues that humanity was not designed to spend the majority of their waking hours working, suggesting that AI could free individuals from traditional work constraints.
As companies navigate this transition, they face a dual challenge: addressing workforce downsizing while simultaneously equipping employees with the skills necessary for an AI-driven future. The emphasis on upskilling only serves to underline just how valuable human intelligence and creativity have become. These qualities aren’t things machines can easily replace.
Cuban and Huang advocate an earlier, more proactive approach to preparing Americans for our new AI-centric future. They’re convinced that people who foster these competencies will emerge as irreplaceable in the new economy. As these leaders have suggested, it is important for workers to adopt the mentality of lifelong learning if they wish to ideally advance throughout their careers.