Artificial Intelligence is the talk of the town, but much of its impending change is hypothetical ... [+]
After a year defined by a fresh buzz around artificial intelligence, the question on my mind heading into 2024 is where we’ll start to see the long-term impact of AI. One obvious candidate is the job market.
Here’s how I think the evolving impact of AI will create trends, challenges, and opportunities in the professional world.
AI’s Influence on Recruitment
AI has already been a mainstay with recruiters for years. They use intelligent technology to identify ideal candidates and weed through mountains of applications. In 2024, candidates are turning the tide when it comes to AI in recruitment.
This is largely because many tools are becoming more accessible to the average job seeker. Teal, for example, offers those searching for employment a suite of AI-powered tools, including a resume builder, cover letter generator, LinkedIn profile analysis, and job application tracker.
As the job market evolves, both employers and the employed will implement a growing number of AI solutions to give themselves a cutting-edge advantage. It is a trend that is set to grow in the coming months.
AI Will Alter Existing Roles
AI is often seen as a job killer, but it is more accurate to refer to it as a job redefiner. In most cases, AI doesn’t remove the need for important work. On the contrary, even as it develops greater capabilities, it still addresses the simple stuff compared to its human counterparts.
According to a recent LinkedIn article, “Repetitive tasks, by their very nature, consume a significant chunk of time and resources. They often require human intervention, prone to errors, fatigue, and inconsistency. Enter AI: a technology capable of performing these tasks tirelessly, consistently, and without the typical human-induced variations.”
This creates new opportunities for employees to focus on meaningful, high-value activities. The result is jobs with more specific, nuanced requirements. At the same time, these positions won’t be bogged down with simple, time-consuming minutiae.
AI Will Naturally Create New Opportunities
The existence and rapid adoption of AI will naturally create a demand for jobs in that field. As companies seek ways to capitalize on the efficiencies and profitability of AI systems, they will need humans to lead the charge.
This pioneering phase will require software engineers, data scientists, and other specialized personnel. It will open up new skills that employees can learn to give themselves a competitive edge.
AI Will Have Negative Repercussions on Jobs, Too
Of course, it’s not all good news for those working alongside AI. One recent survey from ResumeBuilder reported that 44% of companies expect layoffs to occur in 2024 due to new AI capabilities.
With that said, it’s worth pointing out that this appears to be largely connected to the culling of simpler activities within daily business pursuits. Of the respondents, 83% clarified that, as far as existing employees are concerned, AI skills will be a factor in helping them retain their jobs.
For those willing to embrace AI, the future is bright. For those working jobs AI can quickly replace, they must begin developing new skills.
The Shift to AI Isn’t Going to Be Instant
It’s tempting to look ahead and ring the alarm on AI. There’s no doubt that change is coming, and some hard-working employees will lose their jobs before long.
However, the thought that we’re looking at an apocalyptic future in the coming months is alarmist. Pew Research reports that the transition to AI will likely take half a century or more.
In addition, as much of the above data shows, most of the change will be either a horizontal shift or an improvement. Will some jobs be automated? Yes. Will others evolve with the times? Absolutely. Still others will grow out of the need for AI, as well. The one surety heading in 2024 is that AI will be a major factor in the workforce, and human workers and employers must be ready to adapt on a daily basis.
