In a recent fireside discussion on artificial intelligence (AI) risks, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Inc., stated that AI will eventually lead to a situation where "no job is needed." While some recent reports seem to support Musk's prediction, many experts disagree. A report by ResumeBuilder found that 37% of business leaders using AI replaced workers in 2023, and 44% expect layoffs in 2024 due to AI efficiency. However, Julia Toothacre, a resume and career strategist at ResumeBuilder, cautions that these numbers may not accurately represent the broader business landscape, as many traditional organizations and small businesses have yet to fully embrace technology.
While layoffs may be a reality, AI technology also enables business leaders to restructure and redefine jobs. Alex Hood, chief product officer at Asana, believes that AI can help reduce time spent on non-core tasks, allowing workers to focus on more valuable work. Marc Cenedella, founder of Leet Resumes and Ladders, compares this shift to the elimination of typists by word processors in mid-century office culture. He believes that workers will be able to focus on integrating, structuring, and defining task-based work.
Asana's State of AI at Work 2023 report highlights that 29% of work tasks are replaceable by AI. However, Asana promotes the concept of "human-centered AI," which aims to enhance human abilities and collaboration rather than replace people. The report suggests that the more people understand human-centered AI, the more they believe it can have a positive impact on their work.
It is important to note that while AI may reshape the workforce, there are still significant barriers to consider. As of 2022, 34% of the global population did not have access to the internet, highlighting the digital divide between technological haves and have-nots. Additionally, individuals must take personal responsibility for continually developing new skills to avoid redundancy in an AI-driven work environment.
Overall, while AI-induced layoffs may be occurring, there is no historical evidence to suggest that technological advancements will result in mass unemployment. The workforce has shown malleability in adapting to technological changes, and increased technological capacity can lead to higher-value work. As AI continues to evolve, it is likely that future generations of AI will be able to handle increasing productivity.