For what it’s worth, Artificial Intelligence comes with a bad reputation that it will soon take over humanity. Movies like The Terminator, iRobot, and even The Matrix come with the misconception that AI becomes a super-intelligent system that is capable of overthrowing its human counterpart.
While that may prove to be in the realm of science fiction, there is still an underlying fear that someday AI will replace human jobs, leading to yet another global recession and economic instability.
Here are some myths about AI’s impact on employment and the truth behind it.
𝐌𝐘𝐓𝐇: 𝐀𝐈 𝐀𝐒 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐑𝐒
FACT: There is no question that AI has grown by leaps and bounds and is now helping humans in their day-to-day routine, but there is no concrete evidence that it will replace human jobs in their entirety. Yes, AI provides near-perfect results when it comes to the basics, like repetitive and data-driven jobs, but the system requires a specific human touch like empathy, creativity, and emotional understanding. The World Economic Forum published a report in 2020 stating that AI is finding its way into digital information and communication, financial services, healthcare, and transportation. While it is proving to be a mainstay, industries are also set to “increase the demand for new job roles and skill sets.” This means hiring more people to go hand in hand with AI to help their respective companies reach their goals.
𝐌𝐘𝐓𝐇: 𝐀𝐈 𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐓𝐒 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 𝐋𝐎𝐖-𝐒𝐊𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐉𝐎𝐁𝐒
FACT: The arrival of AI in almost all industries is proof of its versatility, but there are still systems that are above AI, like cloud computing, big data analytics, the Internet of Things, and encryption and cybersecurity. Be that as it may, those that use AI are somewhat being transformed, yet they still require human intervention to better perform complex instructions. In a nutshell, AI “helps” humans so that they can better their best and not the other way around.
𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡: 𝐀𝐈 𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓
FACT: Again, AI requires a human to oversee its operation and overall direction. They are still machines, and just like any other mechanical contraption, these intelligent systems still need to be turned on and booted. Think of it this way: without humans behind AI, these will be just mere upgrades to an already existing network of improvements. AI still relies on humans to program them and instruct them on what to do.
𝐌𝐘𝐓𝐇: 𝐀𝐈 𝐈𝐒 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓
FACT: There is no perfect in this world. Not even machines, not even AI. They are still prone to mistakes and errors and can only do so much. Come to think of it, if humans “feed” them with all the wrong information, the system will only replicate those and will only be evident through the output the AI will produce in the process. The fact that humans are as important to them as they are to us is a clear indication that AI cannot and will not replace human jobs. They were created to help us improve our work, make things faster and more convenient, and level up our productivity. The issue of AI as the prime option for employment and all things in between is most likely to fall as a fictitious what-if.
