India churns out 1.5 million engineers every year. That’s a lot! But how many of them can actually make a real AI product? Just about 2,000. So, it goes to show that AI is very important but not many people can do it. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says that AI will change 40% of all jobs. That is a huge number! The most disturbing of all is that many fear the future. They simply do not know whether their jobs will still be there when tomorrow arrives.
According to a latest report in India, the number of engineers who fear that AI is going to steal their jobs has soared to 67%. Well, now there is some good news. Around 87% of these engineers are keen on learning new skills. They would want to upskill, and thereby ensure they can hold onto their jobs. Now, will that do the trick? Let’s see.
What is AI?
AI stands for artificial intelligence. It is a subset of technology that can do stuff, generally deemed to be solved by man’s brain. Some examples of AI include helping humans make decisions, compose written documents, and even communicate with individuals. Every day, new AI-related inventions and concepts appear. Nevertheless, there are not nearly enough people who can make these products. That is why AI talent is limited.
Jobs That AI Could Change
AI is not about engineers only. It can replace many types of jobs. According to a report, AI will change around 300 million jobs. That is a vast number of people. In Europe, around 68% said that they may possibly lose their job due to AI. The fear is indeed real, and this is not only in India. Many workers are fearing the future associated with AI.
Who Will Be Affected the Most?
Some of the jobs are way riskier than others. For example, are:
Technical writers
Legal aid
Market research analysts
Travel agents
Translators
Customer care
These jobs might become obsolete or even disappear due to AI. According to one UK-based report, women, youth, and low-income laborers are expected to be the most affected. Even the Indian government says that routine jobs will be taken over by AI.
Why Are Engineers Scared?
Engineers are concerned because nearly 40% of all engineering jobs would likely be automated within the next ten years. That is a huge shift! And yet, why are so many engineers unprepared? Of course, it is straightforward. Many engineers simply lack the skills that companies are looking for. A report claims that no more than 60% of India’s engineering graduates are able to get jobs, and only as many as 45% are sufficiently trained to meet the standards of the companies.
These are many reasons for this. First of all, there are too many graduates. India makes over 1.5 million engineers every year. Second, many engineers know the theory but not how to use it. They lack practical skills. Finally, the standard engineering courses do not prepare graduates for real jobs.
How Can Engineers Prepare?
Upskilling is the best way for engineers to hold on to their jobs. Engineers believe very strongly in upskilling-89 percent are of the view that it will be their future. They want to learn hard skills; they would rather understand how generative AI works, focus on problems and acquire skills that work with AI technology.
Will AI Protect Your Job?
Upskilling is very important. It simply means learning about things to make one better at his job. These can help workers be much more secure in their jobs. But upskilling is not only for engineers. Many other workers have to think of their skills too.
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What Can Workers Do?
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Workers in many jobs are needed to think about their futures. Here are a few tips:
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Learn New Skills: Take courses about AI and other technologies.
Stay Informed: Pay attention to the latest news on AI and its impact on your role. Network: Discuss trends with other people in the industry. Be Versatile: Be willing to take on a new role if you have to. The Future of Work
Just like many new technologies have in the past, AI will change the job market. Some will lose jobs, as many others will gain new ones. According to the IMF, we don’t know yet what those new ones will be. One thing, however, is crystal clear: AI will definitely reshape the world of work into a new form in the coming years.
In conclusion, everyone should prepare themselves for changes that AI will bring. Upskilling is the best preparation for the future. Remember, the world is changing very fast. New things to learn can protect your job from worse things!