Could a Robot do your Job?
The Impact of AI on Job Opportunities for Graduates
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to make waves across industries, concerns among graduates about its impact on job opportunities are on the rise. While these concerns are understandable, it’s important to approach the issue with a balanced perspective. Contrary to the alarmist narrative, current estimates suggest that the number of jobs directly affected by AI remains relatively low.
OpenAI released its latest ChatGPT version in March 2023 and experts say that while fears of job displacement are valid, that impacts are overstated, and AI will revolutionise industries and create new opportunities for human workers.
AI chatbots are "generative," meaning they can accumulate knowledge through reinforcement learning from human feedback. Once trained, AI can write documents, proofread, and provide customer support but it cannot replicate tasks requiring critical thinking and emotional intelligence (yet).
Waikato University’s Artificial Intelligence Institute Professor Albert Bifet was interviewed recently for Stuff business – read the full article here: (Revolutionary AI is coming for a job near you, could it do yours? | Stuff.co.nz) He said AI's impact is as revolutionary as fire, electricity, and the Internet and no sector will remain untouched but ultimately, its biggest impact is that it will be a powerful tool.
“It's not that AI is replacing humans, it is augmented intelligence, (but) these tools can help us to improve how we do things.”
“I don't think we are going to eliminate jobs. We are going to transform and create new ones.”
He says the key to success for New Zealand is to invest in research in AI, so that we are not just users of AI but developers of AI.
The Australian Financial Review quoted AMP economist Diana Mousina saying high-skilled jobs such as management jobs will be harder to replace by AI because they involve human judgment and expertise. Read the full report here: How generative AI like ChatGPT will change the jobs market (afr.com)
The fear of machines taking all human jobs is misplaced, she says.
“High-skill jobs tend to be harder to replace by machines because they are non-routine and cognitive-based, such as management and professional jobs.”
Soft skills, such as jobs involving human judgment, can’t be replaced by AI, she said.
So, while the integration of AI into the workforce has raised worries among graduates, and the fear of job reductions and the relevance of qualifications has even prompted some to reconsider career paths, it's important to recognise AI’s limitations. While AI can automate routine tasks, it falls short of replicating complex roles requiring human creativity, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving skills. This indicates that jobs requiring these attributes are likely to remain secure amidst advancing AI technology. Also, this shift in the potential scope of work could lead to the creation of new and more rewarding job opportunities.
As AI technology advances, focusing on research and development will be crucial for New Zealand's success.
AI's rapid progress has spurred demand for experts in AI-related fields. Professions like data science, software engineering, and machine learning are already witnessing significant growth.
Graduates should view AI as a tool enhancing their capabilities rather than replacing them. By upskilling in areas where human expertise remains crucial, graduates can position themselves as indispensable assets, and graduates with expertise in AI can leverage these opportunities to excel in innovative roles.
