The AI revolution is upon us. These are the jobs at risk and in demand

  

AI is becoming increasingly powerful and is predicted to drastically change the way people work. In 2023, the world is expected to be completely revolutionized by AI, according to Alex Jenkins, director of the WA Data Science Innovation Hub at Curtin University. OpenAI recently released ChatGPT, an AI tool that is capable of responding to written input in a sophisticated, human-like manner. This has raised a number of issues, including the potential for students to use it to cheat on assignments, its applications in various fields, and the types of jobs it could replace. Workers need to know how to prepare for this future and if there is a way to protect their careers against AI.

 Mr Jenkins said that large language models, such as ChatGPT, have been around for some time but previous versions did not have the same level of understanding of the human conversation. However, ChatGPT has now advanced to the point where it is almost like talking to a person. ChatGPT-4 is set to launch in 2023 and it is expected to be even more powerful than the current version, potentially disrupting the workforce and economy.

 The next few years are likely to bring a major transformation in technology, similar to the shift from mobile phones to smartphones and the development of the internet. AI tools could potentially replace up to 30% of knowledge and office-based jobs, such as copywriting and data entry. ChatGPT, an AI-powered tool, is capable of providing copywriting services, making it difficult for copywriters to compete. Even the world's best authors may not be safe from the AI revolution, as a US legal firm is set to use an AI-powered legal assistant in court for the first time next month.

 According to a report released last year by Sydney-based research firm McCrindle, jobs that are becoming obsolete due to the rise of automation and AI include data entry clerks, administrative and executive secretaries and accounting, bookkeeping and payroll clerks. McCrindle’s Director of Advisory Ashley Fell told SBS News that “almost anything that can be automated will be automated”, and that this could be a cause for concern for many people. On the other hand, jobs that are increasing in demand include data analysts and scientists, AI and machine learning specialists, and big data specialists. Additionally, some jobs will be protected from automation due to their uniquely human nature. Mr. Jenkins advises that workers worried about AI disruption should take advantage of the technology and use it to amplify their individual strengths. To keep up with changing technology, today’s workers and future workers should embrace “lifelong learning”.

“Lifelong learning is being driven largely by automation (growth of robotics, data analytics, smarter software), globalization (greater degree of outsourcing and growth in digital platforms), and demographic realities (such as an aging population where people live longer and work later),” the McCrindle report said.

“This requires a new mindset and an increased focus on retraining and skills. Gone are the days when one to four years of study after school was sufficient. Rather, workers will increasingly need to develop a habit of refreshing existing skills and learning new ones.”

Governments and regulators around the world also have a major role to play in ensuring that society as a whole benefit from the AI revolution.

“If we have AI models that are open source and can be used and built on by anyone, then we all as a society have a chance to profit from the model,” Mr. Jenkins said.

“If the models are kept closed up behind single companies, then we risk being dependent on these companies for these models, and that a large amount of wealth will be generated by a very, very small number of people.”