I’m sceptical of AI as even OpenAI founder Sam Altman believes the hype is simply a matter of being in an AI bubble. There’s more spin than a washing machine.
There’s a lit of breathless media coverage around AI. The simple fact is AI automates repetitive tasks. Sure, it can write an essay but it reads like it was written by soulless computer – and it gets things wrong. The greatest recruitment ‘crimes’ are being committed by AI CV scanning platforms but more on that later.
Below are a few roles that may be hit by AI in the ‘nearish’ future.
Customer Service Representatives
The customer service role is becoming more automated as chatbots and virtual assistants handle a broader range of customer inquiries and requests. Advancements like self-checkouts also make human workers less relevant in settings like grocery stores, reducing the number of jobs but there will be push back.
Car and Truck Drivers
Improvements in autonomous vehicles reduce the need for human drivers, impacting those in both the taxi and rideshare industries. But that will be a way off in Australia
Software Engineers and Computer Programmers
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini have raised questions about whether AI will replace writing-heavy jobs. While human language requires much more creativity and nuance, programming consists of more structured, straightforward language. ChatGPT can be used to write code so entry-level programming jobs may see a reduction in positions. They may also be promoted to make sure the robots don’t stuff up.
Researchers
Research-centric positions like market research analyst and financial analyst can be performed, at least to a degree, by AI. Machine learning has the ability to process large volumes of data, detect patterns and organize its findings into convenient visuals. It can do that but has a major issue with the ability to contextualise information. That may be a way off in Australia.
Paralegals
With its ability to process large amounts of complex data, AI can write legal reports, gather facts for a case, sort through documents and conduct legal research. The problem is AI lacks context which is most necessary for a paralegal. What’s the cost of getting it wrong? Check out this lawyer.
Factory or Warehouse Workers
AI powers lots of factory machine performing many actions with greater speed and consistency than humans. Additionally, machine vision enables AI-powered machines in warehouses to retrieve goods and navigate their surroundings, making logistics providers less dependent on human warehouse workers. This is already here.
Financial Traders
Financial traders are in charge of analysing markets and informing investors’ decisions, but AI can work through this process much faster. AI trading technologies can also predict market trends while remaining more accurate than human workers. These two factors combined with the fact that AI lowers hiring costs mean financial trader roles may disappear soon. Although one has to watch out for AI making crazy bids. It’s happened.
Travel Advisors
Travelers no longer need to rely on travel agents for personalized recommendations and travel tips. Travel platforms can use AI to power customer searches and make suggestions based on previous searches. Experiences like virtual tours and online informational videos may allow travellers to gather the information they want without turning to a travel agency. But if you want the inside knowledge, see a travel agent.
Content Writers
AI content generators an already help brainstorm writing ideas and assist with repetitive content creation. Basic content marketing tasks like writing formulaic emails and short social media posts are no trouble for artificial intelligence. In some cases, AI can even produce a first draft for longer-form content. This is already here and will do away with many rote writing functions. Unfortunately it fails to produce persuasive content.
Data Entry Clerks
Data entry clerks are in charge of entering, updating and maintaining information on databases and internal systems. However, AI systems have shown they’re capable of accurately processing massive amounts of structured and unstructured data, and at faster speeds than humans. But they’ll still humans to generate the data.