As machine automation and artificial intelligence surge, there’s paranoia our jobs will be overrun by robots. But even if this happens, work won’t disappear, because humans need it.
We are far from defenseless against the rise of robots, although they’ll take many of our routine jobs. Our special strength is our ability to apply rules that don’t exist.
Our inability to foresee the jobs of the future should be tempered by the realization that that jobs have always appeared in the past, regardless of technological advances.
Jeffrey Hirsch, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
If your job doesn’t currently involve automation or artificial intelligence in some way, it likely will soon. Computer-based worker surveillance and performance analysis will come, too.
Humans still have an edge over non-Hollywood AI in several key areas that are essential to journalism, including complex communication, expert thinking, adaptability and creativity.
A shift to outcomes-based education will enable students to gain critical automation-resistant competencies to succeed and thrive in the future workforce alongside AI.
People – individually and in groups – were not as good at facial recognition as an algorithm. But five people plus the algorithm, working together, were even better.
While some alarmists predict AI will decimate the workforce, the truth is concerted action by leaders in labor, business, government and education can ensure workers aren’t replaced by robots.
As robotics, IoT, and other automation technologies grow in sophistication and commercial feasibility, jobs at nearly every skill level will be impacted.
Most Australian workers are fairly relaxed about their own job security, but they do worry about the risks of poor management and outsourcing to cheaper labour.
Young people are the most vulnerable as industry and the labour market undergo radical change, but meeting this challenge could just be a matter of plugging existing gaps.