Spanish version published on Medium
I am sure that in a conversation with friends or coworkers, you have heard the phrase, “Artificial intelligence is going to take over our jobs.”
Even though artificial intelligence (AI) promises many real advantages, people still have doubts, fears, and apprehension about it.
As I mentioned, one of the biggest fears of artificial intelligence is that it will replace humans in the workplace and destroy jobs. However, field experts expect the exact opposite: AI will mainly replace jobs that do not require creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and empathy. AI will not destroy jobs—instead, it will launch a new generation of different jobs.
I am not writing about AI intending to take a pro or con stand, but to consider the following: Should we be worried about AI, or should we demand to be prepared and trained for the new jobs that AI will create?
Are we against AI, or are we simply afraid?
Daring to confront the things that scare us motivates us to pursue better results. Do you think our ancestors were not afraid of hunting mammoths in prehistoric times? What would have happened if they had not confronted their fear? To oppose technological advancement is to place a patch on the problem—a patch called fear.
In this case, the real challenge is combining the best of AI with the best human qualities in the workplace.
Additionally, even though we often fail to realize it, artificial intelligence has been around for years. The technology does so many things for us that we don’t even realize—and we would be shocked at how complicated our lives would be without it.
For instance, how do you think Netflix shows you what films and TV shows are trending, or how it provides suggestions to match your taste? What about voice assistance? Does face recognition ring a bell? These are all forms of AI.
We need to change our thinking, face our fears, and focus on upskilling and training for the new jobs AI will usher in. We should replace the phrase, “AI is going to take over our jobs,” with “The lack of preparation and training in new and developing areas will kill our current jobs.”
-Manuel Barreiro Castañeda-