Description of AI and automation
The term artificial intelligence refers to the process through which machines can compute work processes that require human intelligence. Therefore, it is used to denote the process of investigating intelligent problem solving by creating an intelligent computer system. Two kinds of intelligence systems usually result from this system. Type one is the weak artificial intelligence where computers are only the instrument for investigating the cognitive process. Type two is the strong artificial intelligence where the computer can optimize their behavior and through intellectual self-learning process of their former experiences through the help of powerful software. On the other hand, automation designates automatic equipment adoption to facilitate a process, especially in the production and manufacturing industry. Automation is mainly used to increase the production rates and the efficiency rate, better the product quality and improve the workers’ safety, especially for the task that is rendered impossible for them. Artificial intelligence and automation have changed the job industry, with jobs designated for human beings tending to be taken over by incorporating AI and automation.
The use of artificial intelligence and automation has been increasing over the last decade, with more need to reduce the workforce and production time. Several industries have thus made use of this, ranging from self-driving cars to drones. Other areas have also incorporated this advancement in technology, and these Siri and Alexa utilize artificial intelligence and have seen wide use in setting alarms, timers, and directions. Other applications have also combined this diverse application for AI and automation, and such include anti-theft systems. The camera is attached to the POS system that will record the type of transaction and link them directly to the perpetrator’s face. It is also used when preventing cyber-attacks where the system is set to recognize any abnormal behavior and then act accordingly. In such cases, the system will automatically stop working and fires a warning to the administrator. In the banking industry, this has also been widely used, such as automatic teller machines, as they hand request when one needs to withdraw, check bank balances or generate receipts without bank employees’ help. The adoption of this technological revolution has been necessitated by the increased need to improve efficiency and reliability, but this has also jeopardized the job positions in different industries that have since adopted automation and AI.
How jobs are being affected
In recent times there is an increased surge of automation, and this has affected employment. As Coyle (2015) propounded, in the 1960s and 1990s, machines did not kill the job but rather created new opportunities as the economy grew, but this has not been the case in recent times. A look into how the job industry has been affected is a good indicator of how it will be affected in the coming years.
Figure 1: Grandviewresearch data
A close look into figure 1 and figure 2 shows the implication that AI had already had on the job industry, with the effects already being felt in more complex jobs such as law. As indicated, some jobs are already being negatively affected where workers have been displaced because of AI, while others have positively been affected. It has negatively impacted the truck drivers who, for instance, in the United States, 3.5 million truck drivers have lost their jobs. An example of such is Otto Motors and, together with Uber, intend to make all driving automated, and it has already achieved this with auto-drive trucks already in place.
Similarly, medical doctors and professionals are also under threat with Robotic doctors actively working to provide Medicare to an ever-growing populace. An example of such is IBM’S Watson software that is already working to detect and provide cancer patients treatment. Likewise, robots have also been designed for surgery use and in the diagnostic. Similarly, construction workers are also under threat with the introduction of bickering Semi-Automated Mason (SAM), which is two to three times more effective than the average human being who has an average of 300-500 bricks per day compared to 1200 brinks per day for SAM. In law, accountants tasked with inventory tracking, profit, loss evaluation, and account payables have progressively been replaced by artificial intelligence that performs better than humans. These include software such as Robo-accounting, which is expected to grow soon. Deloitte insight report had expected that about 39% of legal support staff was expected to lose their jobs as a result of AI by the end of 2020. Also, at threat are the financial analyst jobs given that AI is more suitable than humans when spotting the trend or making quick calculations. The following graph below indicates the trend of AI incorporation in the US and Europe from the period 1993 to 2007
How AI and automation will affect the job market in the next 20 years
The following table below shows the skills and occupations that will be replaced and those that will be marketable in the next 20 years.
| Skills that will be replaced in the next 20 years | Skills and occupation that will be on-demand in the next 20 years |
| Truck drivers | Computer scientist |
| Receptionist | Cybersecurity |
| Financial analyst | Data scientist |
| Construction workers | Web designers |
Based on the rate of adsorption of AI, it is inevitable that it will affect some careers, with some already felt in the current job market. One area that is likely to be influenced is the documentation of files. Currently, an al-powered document recovery exists and has had the biggest impact when applied. A machine logarithm decodes the needed documents and finds the needed sources for a lawyer that will be used in crafting the cases in the case of the law. This has, therefore, as a result, influenced the role of the paralegals who were previously allocated with this responsibility. Besides, there is also a discovery of other software such as the CASE1IQ under Cause Mine in India, which builds document recovery, and COI, which can perform document review tasks.
Moreover, another area that is under threat is the security guards. There has been the adoption of Robo guards that have now been charged with the responsibility of beefing up security in the business location. One example is the Yelp Security Robot that incorporates high-definition cameras and gives it the capability to inspect a whole building. It also has a directional mic and infrared sensors that help detect any suspicious sound or movement. Likewise, the sales manager’s role is also likely to be influenced by AI now being used to create a content strategy and email marketing playbooks for marketers. It has the capability of analyzing sales quicker than the sales manager. It is predicted that by the end of 2024, telemarketers’ role will also duly decline, and this will largely be influenced by Robo -callers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there was no doubt that the need to increase productivity and efficiency for the new future through the use of artificial intelligence and automation would affect the jobs. Some jobs will be done away with more advancement in this technology, but others will be preserved. There may be risks associated with job losses, but it will hugely influence the economy in a good way with more advancement.