AI: Is It a Friend or Foe for Workers?

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a hot topic these days. Many people wonder if it’s here to help or hurt us, especially regarding our jobs. In simple terms, AI can go either way.

AI Can Be Your Friend

AI can be supportive and help us accomplish more:

• AI Can Do the Boring Things You Do at Work: Imagine having a robot buddy who can do all the boring and repetitive tasks at work. That’s what AI can do. It takes care of the many things that make you yawn, like sorting data or answering the same questions repeatedly. This means you can focus on the fun and challenging parts of your job.
• It Helps You Work Faster: AI can be your personal assistant, making your work faster and smarter. It can analyze data, find patterns, and suggest next steps. It’s like having a super-fast data processor and a brilliant co-worker rolled into one.
• AI Keeps You Safe: In some jobs, like factories or construction, AI can keep you safe. It can handle risky tasks that could be dangerous for humans. This means fewer accidents and a safer workplace for you.
• It Makes You Look Good: AI can help you shine at your job. It can help doctors diagnose illnesses more accurately, artists create stunning designs, and writers check their grammar. It’s like having a secret helper that makes you look like a pro.
• AI Creates New Jobs: Believe it or not, AI can create new jobs too. People are needed to build and take care of AI systems. Think of it like a car — someone has to design, build, and keep it running. That means new job opportunities in fields like computer science and AI ethics.

AI May Be Your Nemesis

Not everything is good, however, and there are reasons AI is not your friend:

• AI Takes Your Job: Here’s the downside. If your job involves doing the same thing repeatedly, like assembling parts in a factory or cooking at a fast food restaurant, AI robots can do it faster and without breaks. This means you might lose your job to a machine.
• Money Troubles: When AI does the work, companies save money. They don’t need to pay salaries or benefits to robots, so they might not need as many human workers. That’s not good news for you if you’re looking for a job or hoping for a raise. In time the company may realize that it shortchanged itself, and the lack of quality work is troublesome. However, the converse is also true. Businesses may look at the bottom line and long lines at the door and be happy.
• Privacy Problems: AI can be nosy. It can watch what you do and collect data about you. This can be a big problem if you care about your privacy. Imagine your boss always watching you — that’s what it’s like with some AI systems.
• Unfair Decisions: AI can be unfair. It can learn from old data that’s biased or prejudiced. That means it might make decisions that aren’t fair to everyone. For example, hiring might favor some people over others based on past biases.
• Skills Gap: AI is moving fast, but not everyone keeps up. This means there could be a gap between the skills you have and the skills companies want. If you don’t have the right skills, you might struggle to find a job.

Stay Safe in an AI-Empowered World

The big question is: How do we ensure AI is more of a friend than a foe for workers? Here are some ideas to make AI work for you:

• Learn New Skills: AI is all about technology, so it’s a good idea to learn about it. You don’t need to become a computer genius, but understanding the basics can be a big help. Learning new skills can also make you more valuable to your employer.
• Be Creative: Machines are great at doing repetitive tasks but not so good at being creative. So, focus on your creativity. Think of new ideas, solve complex problems, and be innovative. These are things AI can’t easily replicate.
• Embrace AI as a Tool: Think of AI as a tool in your toolbox. It’s there to help you, not replace you. Use AI to make your work easier and more efficient. For example, use AI software to analyze data and give you insights, but don’t forget to make the final decisions yourself.
• Speak Up for Fairness: If you see AI making unfair decisions or invading privacy, speak up. Companies need to know when their AI systems are causing problems. Your voice can help make AI systems better and more ethical.
• Keep Learning: The world is changing fast, and AI is a big part of that change. Keep learning, adapt to new technologies, and be open to change. The more flexible you are, the better you’ll handle AI’s impact on the job market. There are many free courses in AI, from its ethical concerns, to how to master it for business, and how to write code with the help of AI. Take them in your spare time.
• Support AI Ethics: Support efforts to make AI systems fair and unbiased. Encourage your company or organization to adopt ethical AI practices. This can help ensure that AI benefits everyone and doesn’t harm anyone.
• Prepare for the Future: Think about the long term. If your job is at risk of being automated, consider acquiring new skills or exploring other career options. It’s always good to have a backup plan.

The Future of AI

AI is not going away. It will continue to grow with or without your approval. It is a brave new world out there. Learn what you need to know and see how to ramp up your skill base. No one says you must like it, and if truth be told, many people like the old ways just fine. But that is not the future; like it or not, you are moving in a straight line into the days ahead. Own them and make them good for you. Use AI don’t let it frighten you into standing still.

Cici

I started to write because I developed laryngitis and needed to communicate or burst. It’s true. However, once I discovered the written word, I fell in love. I edited and wrote for my college newspaper and wrote articles for various journals after that. I am still working on the great American novel but I have yet to find the one among many starts I want to finish. Above all, I am fascinated with the world and the people in it. I have a dog who sincerely believes he should write instead of me but I steadfastly refuse to show him how to use the keyboard partly because of writer neurosis and partly because I hate his style.