There’s been a lot of talk about AI and specifically, generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Bard, eliminating a lot of jobs in the near future. If this thought has crossed your mind recently or if you’re confused about how you could be affected by AI in the future, you’re not alone.
According to a report by Goldman Sachs (The Potentially Large Effects of Artificial Intelligence on Economic Growth (Briggs/Kodnani)), AI could replace the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs globally by 2030, affecting 18% of work tasks. This is especially alarming for workers in administrative and legal professions, where up to 46% and 44% of tasks respectively could be automated by AI. Workers in construction and maintenance on the other hand are less likely to be affected, as only 6% and 4% of their tasks respectively could be done by AI.
While overall these numbers seem to be a cause for concern, I believe that if you approach AI for the tool that it is, then it’s not necessarily a threat to your job, but rather, an opportunity to enhance it. AI can help automate tedious tasks, optimize workflows, and provide insights that might not be accessible otherwise. It can also help you learn new skills, collaborate on projects, brainstorm creative ideas in both design and content creation, and create value for your customers and employers.
So how exactly do you leverage AI to help?
- Educate yourself.
- Learn about the basics of AI, what it can and can’t do, and how it works. You don’t need to be an expert, but you should have a general understanding of the concepts and applications of AI in your field.
- Start with a generative AI tool such asChatGPT or MS Bing chat. For your first prompt, try typing “I work in [your job field goes here], how can you and AI in general, enhance my job.”
- Experiment with AI.
- Try out some of the AI tools that are relevant to your field or industry. See how they can help you solve problems, improve efficiency, or generate new ideas. You might be surprised by how much AI can do for you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or feedback from others with more AI experience.
- Study the prompts that are so readily available on social media from influencers and create a library of them.
- Take a course or watch tutorials on how to create effective prompts. To truly take advantage of the power of generative AI tools, you will need to understand how to talk to them.
- Adapt to AI. As AI evolves and becomes more integrated into your work environment.
- Adjust your mindset and skills accordingly.
- Be more flexible, creative, and collaborative.
- Focus on the human aspects of your job, such as communication, empathy, and ethics.
- Be open to change and innovation.
AI is not something to fear, but something to embrace. By educating yourself, experimenting with, and adapting to AI, you can make the most of this powerful technology and secure your future in the workplace. AI won’t replace your job but it will change it and if you’re not willing to change with it then you won’t have the necessary skills to advance and you risk the possibility of being left behind
