Rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) technology have led to widespread concerns about the future of human employment.
The notion that AI will take away human jobs has become a hot topic of public debate. But is this assumption really true?
There’s no denying that AI has made work significantly easier. Various industries, from manufacturing to finance, have seen major changes in their business processes.
The automation of routine tasks and the use of intelligent algorithms have improved operational efficiency and optimized company resources.
Effect on Employment
From this convenience, a big question arises. Is AI really taking away human jobs? It is true that some jobs have been replaced by machines and are no longer needed.
For example, in the manufacturing sector, robots have replaced human workers in performing repetitive and dangerous tasks.
However, we need to understand that technology has also created new jobs that did not exist before. For example, the demand for data scientists and AI scientists has increased significantly, creating new career opportunities for individuals who possess the necessary technical skills.
This is supported by Prof. Lina, S.T., M.Kom., Ph.D., an expert in AI from Untar, who stated that AI Engineering is a promising profession.
Untar Faculty of Information Technology (FTI) has prepared its graduates to develop, test, and create AI models that can be applied to various applications.
Human and AI Collaboration
More importantly, we must consider the potential collaboration between humans and AI. While AI can perform certain tasks more quickly and efficiently than humans, there are aspects that humans excel at and cannot be replaced by AI.
For example, creativity, complex problem solving, and empathy. These things are very difficult for machines to replicate. In many cases, collaboration between humans and AI can produce better results than if they worked separately.
According to Prof. Lina, to succeed in AI engineering, technical skills such as programming, software engineering, and data science are essential.
“However, strength in communication and problem solving are equally important,” she said.
In Untar Informatics Engineering Study Program, AI has become a compulsory course in the fourth semester, with a specialization in intelligence system or AI-based intelligent system development.
One Step Ahead of AI
To ensure that the development of AI does not threaten human jobs, it is important for humans to overcome the challenges that arise.
Indeed, AI is the result of what humans have been trained to do. Without human creativity and genius, an AI model cannot evolve.
Therefore, continuous education and training is necessary to prepare the future workforce to have skills that match the demands of the evolving job market.
FTI Untar has also taken a step forward by opening up opportunities for graduates to obtain globally recognized skill certifications.
In collaboration with Huawei, the AI curriculum is integrated with the latest industry standards, allowing FTI Untar graduates to be internationally certified.
“There are already 110 alumni who are certified by Huawei internationally so that they can support their careers globally,” said Prof. Lina.
In addition, there is a need for wise policies and regulations to govern the use of technology. Proper regulation can help reduce the risk of replacing human jobs by machines and ensure that AI developments contribute to overall social welfare.
While AI has changed the way we work, it is not true that these technologies will take away human jobs entirely. Instead, AI can be a powerful tool to increase productivity and create new jobs if managed wisely.
By understanding the complexity of AI’s impact on human employment, we can take appropriate steps to positively manage these changes.
Through collaboration between humans and AI, we can create a future where technology and humanity go hand in hand to achieve sustainable progress. (KJ/AW/KJ)