Artificial intelligence (AI) and related technologies are beginning to impact employment around the world. AI with human-like programmable personas is one of the latest trends impacting many low-to-medium-skill jobs today.
The rapid proliferation of AI across all industries continues to confuse many experts studying its impact. The challenge with this research is that AI capabilities are constantly changing and evolving at a rate that is difficult for the average person to keep up with.
AI and the job market
AI is impacting around 40% of jobs in various industries around the world, leading to significant job losses, especially in less economically advanced settings.Article by SEO.ai pointed out that in May 2023, a total of 3,900 U.S. job losses were directly attributable to AI, accounting for 5% of total job losses in that month. This ranks AI as the 7th biggest cause of job loss. The article also highlighted that the tech industry has been hit hard, with around 137,000 jobs lost this year, the largest layoff since 2001.
Awareness about changing jobs
PwC Hopes and fears of the global workforce The 2022 study, which spanned more than 44 countries and involved more than 52,000 participants, found that around 30 percent of participants feared their job would be taken over by advances in AI in the next three years. It has been revealed that he has expressed concern that this may not be the case. This could result in further widening socio-economic disparities and put pressure on governments to provide welfare solutions to rising unemployment rates.
Jamaica is a developing country and a haven for developed countries to invest in human resources. The boom in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry and the hospitality and tourism sector proves that Jamaica has much of the talent needed in these developed countries. International companies investing in Jamaica's workforce tend to outsource roles that require less skill, making training easier and more cost-effective and providing access to more qualified candidates. You will be able to access it. Specifically, in the BPO sector, companies are currently hiring talent without basic educational backgrounds (CSEC, GCE, etc.) but who can be trained for roles such as data entry, customer service, and other back-office functions. I am.
These roles are increasingly being filled by AI technology. Companies like Neurored provide automation and AI for back-office operations. These offer AI-powered customer relationship management, supply chain management, and cloud computing technologies that replace tasks traditionally performed manually. This reduces non-technical staff and reduces the need for highly skilled employees to manage the software.
AI and the low-skilled workforce
What will low-skilled Jamaicans do in this AI environment? Many people in industries such as education, customer service, supply chain, and even wholesale and retail will be negatively impacted by AI. These industries are more customer-focused than ever. During the coronavirus outbreak in 2020, many companies developed contactless systems to protect their stakeholders. With AI, companies can invest in tools to analyze data, predict customer service issues, identify trends, and create self-service solutions. This could reduce the problems people face on a daily basis and also reduce the need for staff. As a result, schools may not need as many customer service representatives and contact centers may be able to focus on other tasks.
Should we be worried about AI?
The answer to this question is something everyone should consider. No two people have the same vision, abilities, and life plans. Many people don't end up following the path they originally envisioned. If so, many of us would become doctors, scientists, etc. Understanding AI and its capabilities is critical for all Jamaicans.
“What is AI?”, its history, the categories of AI and its capabilities, the impact of AI on the industries you are interested in, the types of AI used in those industries, predictions for the future of AI, and its impact on your personal life. Questions such as impact, availability of AI, etc.Whether these trainings are delivered on-site or require international travel, training that considers the impact of AI on current jobs and future roles in an AI-driven world. It's essential. These should be considered before answering this question.
Where can I find information about AI?
People will have to be resourceful to find the information they need on AI. A good starting point is The GleanerIn , many columnists and guest columnists who are experts in the field share their research and personal opinions on AI and its potential impact.academic journals such as Journal of Arts, Science and Technology In addition to papers published by the Jamaica Institute of Technology, research by industry experts on the subject has been published in academic journals such as the University of the West Indies, Commonwealth Caribbean University, Harvard University, Yale University, and MIT. In addition, the training provided by the educational institution will allow participants to gain exposure to his AI and become researchers in this field. Although the Internet provides a wealth of resources, users must critically evaluate this information to distinguish fact from fiction.
AI is a double-edged sword: while it poses job loss challenges, especially for low-skilled workers, it also opens avenues for innovation, education, and new job creation. The future of work in Jamaica in the age of AI will be shaped by how effectively employees, policy makers and educational institutions can adapt and capitalize on the opportunities presented by this innovative technology. Working toward an AI-integrated society is not just about deploying technology, it's also about fostering a culture of continuous learning, adaptability, and innovation. It's about preparing for a future where AI complements human capabilities and creates a more efficient, productive and inclusive economy.
The key to successfully navigating this transition lies in education and training that ensures employees have the skills they need in an AI-driven world. This approach will not only reduce the risk of unemployment, but also open up new opportunities for growth and development in Jamaica's evolving economic landscape.
Dr. Tiou Clarke is a Lecturer in the School of Management, Jamaica Institute of Technology.Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com
