One of the biggest concerns we keep hearing about AI pertains to the impact it will have on the labor force. I first began thinking seriously about this in 2016 after reading Calum Chace's Surviving AI. Chace called Artificial Intelligence (AI) the world's most powerful technology, predicting that it will rapidly transform the world of work, and that many jobs will be at risk of being lost to automation. 
"Fight or Flight" -- AI generated
According to a 2019 report by the McKinsey Global Institute, up to 800 million jobs could be lost to automation by 2030. The thing that is striking about this is that seven years have passed (since 2016) and little has been actually done other than the periodic story in the media. (If I'm wrong, please let me know in an email or the comments.)
The jobs most at risk of automation are those that are repetitive, predictable, and easily codified. This includes jobs in manufacturing, transportation, customer service, and data entry. For example, self-driving vehicles could replace truck drivers, while AI-powered chatbots could replace customer service representatives.
Not all jobs, however, are equally at risk. Jobs that require creativity, problem-solving, and social interaction are less likely to be automated. This includes jobs in healthcare, education, and the arts. For example, AI can be used to help doctors diagnose diseases, but it is unlikely to replace doctors entirely.
The impact of AI on employment will vary from country to country. Countries with a strong manufacturing sector are likely to be more affected than countries with a strong service sector. Countries with a well-developed social safety net will be better able to cope with the job losses caused by automation.
So what can we do?
Theoretically there are a number of things that can be done to mitigate the negative impact of AI on employment. Governments can invest in education and training to help workers develop the skills they need for the jobs of the future. Businesses can adopt AI in a way that creates new jobs and opportunities. And workers can be proactive about upskilling and reskilling to stay ahead of the curve.
The optimist's view is that although AI will present challenges, but it is also an opportunity. By taking steps to prepare for the future of work, we can ensure that everyone benefits from the technological revolution.
Forty years ago, when I was a painting contractor in the Twin Cities, I read an article that presented a glowing picture of a future where everyone has a personal robot to take care of their mundane needs. As I was reading this article I looked out the window and saw a man dumpster diving. I thought to myself, "That man will not have a personal robot."
Automation eliminated massive numbers of factory jobs. AI will be coming after white color jobs. As AI continues to develop, it's likely that even more jobs will be automated. But AI is also creating new jobs and it's possible to adapt to the changing job market, if we're aware and thinking about it.
What do you think about these things?
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