Technology and the Future of Work: Which Way Will We Go?

People are particularly positive about technical solutions specifically in fields such as the health care sector, but they are still worried that the progress of technology will make us more isolated from one another, while technology also will take over many of our jobs. Artificial intelligence and automation are explored in the article "Technology and the Future of Work: Which Way Will We Go?" with the focus on the fact that automation will replace one out of every five occupations. (Harbert, 2021) While this information may be frightening to some because of the uncertainty it causes, we must remember that while some jobs are being displaced, others will emerge. According to an American survey made in 2019 by CNBC, Thirty-seven percent of workers aged 18 to 24 are concerned that new technology may eliminate their jobs. (Douglas, 2019) 

AI's biggest advantage does not have to be to replace human intelligence, but to combine human and artificial intelligence, and thus get synergy effects. There are several skills that humans have that machines don’t, with the most difficult to replace being social intelligence and empathy for others. (Dersimonian, 2022) It's all about staying informed about the new technological developments around the globe while also updating our knowledge and skills to meet the demands of the future. On the other hand, the abilities that will be required in the future are difficult to anticipate, making it difficult to choose a career path presently. Those who are uncomfortable with development should take comfort in the knowledge that no human being has ever been able to forecast the future. People were wrong about most things in the past when asked to forecast what the planet would look like in 50 years, including predicting flying automobiles in 2020.

It is a misconception to believe that we can see into the future. Everything we envision about the future is dependent on what we can see right now and hence imagine. The goal of future thinking is to explore the unimaginable.

References

 

 Harbert, T. (2021, August 18). Technology and the future of work: Which way will we go? SHRM. Retrieved April 12, 2022, from https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/all-things-work/pages/technology-and-the-future-of-work.aspx 

Douglas, J. (2019, December 11). These American workers are the most afraid of A.I. taking their jobs. CNBC. Retrieved April 12, 2022, from https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/07/these-american-workers-are-the-most-afraid-of-ai-taking-their-jobs.html

Dersimonian, A. (2022, March 7). The 6 human skills that robots don't have... just yet. The American Genius. Retrieved April 12, 2022, from https://theamericangenius.com/editorials/6-skills-humans-have-that-ai-doesnt/