Artificial Intelligence (AI) In the Workforce

 

What is AI

Artificial intelligence or better known as AI is a machine that has the ability to “perform all the cognitive functions we usually associate with human minds,” essentially AI is a machine system that can think the way that humans think. AI can be used for various tasks, such as problem solving, decision making, and various other tasks. Over the past couple of years AI has taken the world by storm, everyone is so fascinated and horrified about what this new machine system could mean for their lives.

AI in the workforce

AI has been a part of the workforce for years now, using things like google now or Microsoft's Cortana to help complete tasks or answer questions at work is how AI has been part of the workforce. Today 35 % of companies in the United States use AI to help them with work related tasks, and about 42% of companies are working on implementing AI into their companies. Companies use AI to help track the progress that their employees are making, some companies use AL to aid in their hiring process by tasking AI with reviewing resumes, sourcing data, and scheduling interviews. A notable example of this being used is in companies like Amazon and Uber, these companies have trained their machines to know what a suitable candidate for their company looks like and to schedule them for interviews.

 

Impacts of AI

Although the use of AI is seen as a step towards a more advanced future with great advantages to help make tasks easier in the workforce, it also has many disadvantages. AI is on its way to replacing 18% of the world's workforce in the upcoming years. According to the Guardian, jobs that may include coding, research, or customer service have a higher chance of being replaced by AI in the upcoming years because these jobs have a lot of repetition which is something that AI programs excel at.

On the other hand, AI has also been credited with helping employees lessen their workload. Having access to a system that can formulate answers and solve problems to tasks that would have taken hours can be a handy tool to have when you need it. AI can also help people to reduce the risk of errors in their work, ensuring that things are done correctly. Overall, AI is something that will be part of everyone's work life in the future, it is up to us to make the most out of it, and really use it to benefit the people the most.

By: Bassma Touta (Career Peer)