A recent study conducted by investment bank Goldman Sachs has shed light on the future of jobs in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Experts predict that AI could potentially replace approximately 300 million full-time jobs in the coming years. The study highlights that AI has the potential to take over a quarter of work tasks in the USA and Europe.
While the implementation of AI undoubtedly brings about major advancements, it also raises concerns about job security. According to job search engine Adzuna, certain professions are considered safer from automation due to their skill-intensive nature. Skilled manual jobs like mechanics, plumbers, and carpenters are ranked as having little exposure to AI. Medical professionals are also among the safest positions, with oncologists topping the list with an average advertised salary of £201,243. Other occupations considered safe from the rise of AI include influencers, therapists, and judges. It is worth noting that the AI boom has also given rise to entirely new job roles, such as machine manager, AI trainer, and prompt engineer.
On the other hand, some jobs are at higher risk of being automated. Graphic designers, with an average salary of £31,791, are the most vulnerable to AI’s impact, as their tasks can be easily replicated. Careers in the media industry, such as advertising specialists, journalists, and writers, also rank highly on the at-risk list. Generative AI, like ChatGPT, has become increasingly sophisticated in producing long-form written content, posing a risk to professions heavily reliant on creative output.
Government regulation and policies around the use of AI have become subjects of debate. A significant majority of workers surveyed by the UK’s Prospect trade union believe that regulations are necessary to protect jobs from AI. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, while promoting AI investment in the UK, has also acknowledged the potential disruptive force of AI on the job market. Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, has warned that there may come a time where no job is needed at all.
As we navigate the advancements in AI technology, it is crucial to strike a balance between harnessing its potential for economic growth while ensuring adequate safeguards for job security. The future of employment lies in finding ways for humans and AI to collaborate, transforming AI from a threat to a co-pilot in the workforce.