Artificial intelligence (AI) has been the talk of the town for some time now and understandably so. The current conversation around ChatGPT and its impact on society has again brought this discussion into sharp focus. With its potential to automate tasks and streamline processes, AI is seen as a game-changer in many industries. However, this new technology has also led to severe apprehensions among many people, who fear that AI will take away their jobs. Not only that, there are many who believe that AI shall be the nemesis of human society. Elon Musk has recently claimed in an interview with CNN that AI has the potential of “civilizational destruction”!
But let me assure you – AI is not your enemy. In fact, AI has the potential to be your dearest friend — just as the IT sector has been for millions of Indians over the past few decades.
Let us go back in time to the early 1980s. I distinctly remember the fear and unrest the introduction of computers in offices and factories caused in our country. Vested interests projected and propagated the misconception that most workers shall be losing their jobs because computers shall make their roles redundant. And gullible people believed in their mischief — largely because very few actually understood the capabilities of computers in the workplace. There were fierce agitations by workers all across the country opposing the introduction of computers — across both the government and private sectors. Some agitations turned violent with offices being ransacked and computers broken and burnt down! As a student of Computer Science in those days, I was pained and appalled by what I saw happening all around me!
Cut back to the present. As per NASSCOM figures, the IT industry in India recorded a 15.5% annual growth —the highest ever — to reach $227 billion in revenue in FY2022. The industry crossed 5 million in total direct employment, with the highest-ever net addition of 445 thousand workers over the year! For decades now, across all college and university campuses in India, bright engineering students aspire to join the big names in the IT industry. IT jobs are the most coveted — eclipsing the traditional “core engineering” jobs. Just look around — how many people do you know who are part of this ecosystem?
Far from being a negative influence, the IT industry has changed the very way India is viewed across the world. It has contributed significantly to the country’s economic growth and gained prestige for India on the global stage. Some jobs have definitely been lost — but the numbers gained over time are far greater!
Perhaps we should learn from history and refrain from making the same mistakes when it comes to AI. Perhaps we are rushing to too many conclusions a bit too early.
While AI can certainly automate certain tasks, it cannot replicate the human touch that is often necessary in almost every field. AI shall ultimately be another extremely powerful tool available to humans to perform their functions better. For example, lawyers can utilise AI to significantly cut down time on case research — but we shall still need human lawyers to argue their cases before human judges! AI can help improve the accuracy and speed of medical diagnoses but we shall still need doctors who can interpret and act on those results!
The development of AI will create new job roles and opportunities that did not exist before. We do not have the picture in its entirety yet so early in the evolutionary cycle — but some roles are quite obvious. These include AI engineers, data analysts, robotics specialists, cybersecurity experts, AI product managers, customer experience managers, and AI ethicists among others. These roles will require a diverse set of skills and expertise and will be in high demand as AI continues to grow and expand. Just as the IT boom created new job opportunities, AI will also create new and exciting career paths — some that we cannot even foresee now! How many “delivery partners” did we see on our roads before Amazon and Zomato came along? Could we have foreseen the development and rapid growth of e-commerce decades before it actually happened? Perhaps not. And perhaps we still don’t understand the full potential of AI in direct and ancillary job creation at this moment!
So, what can you as a student do to prepare for the rise of AI? First and foremost, you should embrace the potential of this technology rather than fear it. You should be willing to learn new skills that will be in demand in the AI era, such as coding, data analysis, and machine learning. You should also focus on developing your creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills as these are areas where human workers will always have an advantage over machines. While the rise of AI may disrupt some traditional job roles, it shall also create exciting new opportunities for those who are prepared to adapt and learn!
The fear that AI will lead to widespread job loss is unfounded. Instead, we should embrace the potential of AI to drive innovation — and help solve some of society’s most pressing problems. With proper regulation and ethical guidelines, AI can transform our lives for the better. And with the right mindset and skillset, you can make AI your greatest friend!
Dr Sanku Bose, Group CEO
(Techno India Group)