AI Replacing Workers: Fact or Fiction?
According to a recent report by ResumeBuilder, a staggering 37% of business leaders reported that AI replaced workers in 2023. This comes as no surprise, as AI technology has been increasingly adopted in the workforce, leading to fears of widespread layoffs in the coming years.
Similarly, 44% of respondents in the survey anticipate further layoffs in 2024 due to the efficiency of AI. However, amidst these reports, experts have spoken out against the notion that AI will lead to mass unemployment.
Julia Toothacre, a resume and career strategist at ResumeBuilder, believes that these numbers may not accurately represent the entire business landscape. She points out that many small businesses and traditional organizations do not embrace technology the way larger companies do.
On the other hand, Alex Hood, the chief product officer at Asana, argues that AI has the potential to reduce the amount of time spent on non-essential tasks, allowing employees to focus on higher-value work. According to Hood, AI could be a “great unlock” for businesses. He maintains that without considering the nuanced reasons behind the reported numbers, they merely reflect fear rather than reality.
Furthermore, Marc Cenedella, the founder of Leet Resumes and Ladders, believes that AI-induced layoffs could result in a shift similar to the elimination of typists in the mid-20th century. He emphasizes the need for workers to focus on integrating, structuring, or defining task-based work.
Recognizing the implications of AI-induced change, Asana’s State of AI at Work 2023 report points out that AI should be centered around enhancing human abilities and collaboration, rather than replacing them. The report suggests that people could benefit from proper understanding and utilization of human-centered AI.
On the flip side, concerns about the widespread impact of AI on layoffs and the restructuring of work are valid, given that a significant portion of the global population still lacks access to the internet.
However, amid the ongoing debate about the impact of AI on the workforce, experts advise personal responsibility and continuous skill development for professionals to stay relevant in an AI-fueled environment. Cenedella stresses the need for modern workers to continuously develop new skills and adapt to changes in technology.
Ultimately, while the current generation of AI has led to some layoffs, experts believe that there is no historical evidence to suggest that it will result in mass unemployment. Instead, they argue that the workforce has a history of adaptability and increased technological capacity can result in higher-value work and productivity.