The introduction of AI in business and manufacturing has left many in doubt about the future of human workforce. Unlike popular notions, AI is beneficial for the IT workforce as it increases both job opportunities of the human workforce as well as industry profits. AI should be used alongside human resources in order to optimize production and boost profit.
Why will AI not replace the human workforce?
Many are skeptical about this major trend in technology resulting in reduced job opportunities for the human workforce. AI is has become an integral part of our lives. It impacts our Google search results, shopping choices, movie suggestions, online dating, and everything in between. According to statistics, various sectors of business have used AI to grow their profit by 270% in the last five years only.
AIOps (Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations) is only able to replicate specialized intelligence in an IT environment, and thus always require human assistance. The specialized problem-solving, abstract, and analytical thinking capabilities of human beings have not yet been found in any AI tool. It is quite safe to say that they are not anywhere close to dominating humans. Therefore, experts have concluded that AI can’t even be compared to the generalized rational intelligence humans possess and are very far away from actually replacing human workers.
Merging of AI and Manual Processes in Different Industries
Industries do not just depend on AI and automation. While automating certain processes and the application of machines definitely helps, the human workforce is still important. IT infrastructures are present in every industry and require both the use of technology and manual processes to ensure the best outcomes. Here are some industries where the merging of the two is necessary.
- E-Commerce
In recent times, the eCommerce industry has experienced a boom. Businesses are investing in AI automation and cloud enablement services for better management of data. The primary use of AI in this industry is to improve customer service and promote better interactions between the client and the company. However, this is also a sector where the involvement of the human workforce is crucial. While AI can introduce the use of chatbots, human interactions are important from time to time. For small businesses that have just started navigating the e-commerce space, processes like inventory management require manual intervention. However, it is also important to rely on AI and automation to reduce overhead costs, time, and unnecessary use of resources. In aspects like personalized shopping and targeted advertising, human intelligence must be combined with AI to get the best results possible.
- Automobile Industry
The mechanical aspect of the automobile industry which involves designing and building automobiles requires a human workforce. To date, robots have not been used to build entire vehicles. However, AI can be merged with manual processes in the automobile industry. AI solutions can be used to enable autonomous navigation in vehicles and can assist in reducing the time and energy spent on manufacturing various parts. Automation can help to streamline the manufacturing process.
- Healthcare
In the healthcare industry, the use of AI is fairly new. The entire industry is ‘far more dependent on healthcare workers than technological solutions. However, AI is used for creating data models that can be easily analyzed and used for predicting patient conditions. AI can be used to predict certain symptoms and effective methods of treatment by analyzing the patient’s medical history. This will help doctors and nurses provide the necessary care to specific patients.
- Cybersecurity
From time to time, businesses have to deal with third-party attacks and threats. The use of AI and machine learning have been widespread in this field. However, the manual processes have not been eliminated completely. While businesses do rely on cyber security services for quick detection of unseen threats, security controls at the organizational level are still necessary. Last year, cybersecurity threats increased across the globe and businesses had to invest in essential solutions to detect and eliminate these threats. Therefore, it is important to include all forms of security solutions. The introduction of AI and machine learning has proved to be crucial in maintaining security. The manual processes are still necessary to ensure that there are no loopholes. This is mostly because the implementation of AI is still focused on processing data and analyzing what conditions led to frauds so that they can be avoided in the future.
Can AI and automation promote skill shift?
Since IT Automation with AI is an asset for businesses that deal with new volumes of data every day, these companies look for IT professionals with specific skills. The use of AI and automation has encouraged analysts, data scientists, and technicians to develop relevant skills. They now have to be experts in using machine learning and algorithms in as many aspects of the business as possible. Professionals also require skills in data migration, transformation solutions, cloud enablement, and data center consolidation. It is important to know effective solutions and use them in the right context. If workers are able to use AI automation to optimize different processes, their skill set will expand, and new job opportunities will arise. Adapting to the use of new-age technology is, therefore, the best way to ensure jobs in the IT sector.
Conclusion
The growth of science and technology has always brought forward the pressing questions of the future of the workforce. The development in Artificial Intelligence is considered the fourth industrial revolution and like all the others before it, makes people worry about the future of their jobs. The truth is, AI is not making the human labor force obsolete, and is actually creating more jobs in the process of developing new industries and sectors through massive innovation.