Since generative artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, became popular, many organizations have warned about it, and one of the biggest risks is unemployment. There is a fear that AI will create a large number of "useless classes" and bring instability to society.
Surprisingly, however, AI is changing jobs in the technology sector. In recent months, as Silicon Valley tech companies have adopted and promoted the technology, more and more tech companies have begun to use AI as a reason to lay off workers and reconsider hiring new employees.
For example, Chegg, an online education institution in the United States, recently said in a management document that it will cut 80 jobs around the world, equivalent to four percent of employees, as a result of AI. This is because more and more students are turning to AI chatbots like ChatGPT to help solve homework problems.
IBM CEO Arvind Krishna also said they expect to suspend hiring for jobs that could be replaced by artificial intelligence in the next few years. Krishna noted that hiring in back-office functions like human resources will stagnate or even slow down. He predicts that within the next five years, about 30% of non-customer-oriented positions will be replaced by artificial intelligence and automation technologies.
However, in an interview with Barron's, Krishna said his previous remarks were taken out of context and stressed that AI will create more jobs than it will take.
Other companies have also laid off jobs because of AI. For example, file storage service provider Dropbox announced a 16% or 500 layoff, also because of the development of artificial intelligence. Recent layoffs by HR agencies Challenger, Gray and Christmas also pointed out that 3,900 people lost their jobs because of AI.
Analysts say that by cutting jobs, Silicon Valley is not only ahead of the curve in AI development, but also allows people to adapt more quickly to the use of AI tools.
Drew Houston, CEO of Dropbox, said in a letter to employees that AI has captured worldwide attention and imagination and has expanded the potential market for next-generation AI products at an incredible rate. He pointed out that the company's next development needs to combine different technologies, especially artificial intelligence with the development of early products.
However, Wang Dan, a professor at Columbia Business School, said that artificial intelligence will cause organizational adjustments, but he does not think artificial intelligence will become a way to replace humans. He believes that AI can make humans work better, not replace them. He emphasized that the ability to use AI tools is an important competency.
At the same time, as AI has caused a broader wave of layoffs in the tech industry, many tech companies are recalibrating due to economic uncertainty and a decline in demand for digital services more than three years since the pandemic began.
The data shows that in 2023 alone, the number of layoffs in the U.S. tech industry will reach 212,294, a figure that has already exceeded the 164,709 in all of 2022.
Even the once-high-profile Silicon Valley software engineers are likely to be replaced or lagged behind those who excel at AI in terms of wage growth.
Startup founder Roger Lee noted that senior software engineers earn an average of 12 percent more than non-specialists in AI and machine learning through a comprehensive analysis of company data, a gap he calls the "AI premium." He also said that in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning, the average salary of senior software engineers has also increased by about 4% from the beginning of the year.
Dan Wang of Columbia Business School began familiarizing students with the market for a new generation of generative AI tools. "I think this connection is critical to the success of students after graduation," he said. He added that not everyone needs to become an AI expert, but everyone should know how to use AI tools to be more productive.
So while AI has caused a broader wave of layoffs in the tech industry, it has also created a smart markup, a rise in salaries for senior software engineers who specialize in AI and machine learning. The development of artificial intelligence is causing adjustments in the entire organizational structure, but it also provides people with more opportunities to take advantage of artificial intelligence tools. People need to adapt to this change and upgrade their skills in the field of artificial intelligence to better adapt to the future job market.
At the same time, with the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology, many new employment opportunities and fields have emerged. While some traditional jobs may be affected, the application of AI also brings endless possibilities for emerging industries and innovative areas.
Driven by artificial intelligence, new professional positions are constantly emerging, such as data scientists, machine learning engineers, artificial intelligence engineers, etc. These roles require in-depth knowledge of AI technology, skills in data analysis, algorithm development, and model building. At the same time, with the wide application of artificial intelligence in medical, financial, logistics, education and other industries, the demand for related positions is also increasing.
In addition, artificial intelligence has also spawned a number of new industries and startups. Taking autonomous driving technology as an example, this field involves sensor technology, machine learning algorithms, data processing and other aspects, and requires a large number of talents to support its development. The application of artificial intelligence in smart home, smart medical care, virtual reality and other fields has also brought new business opportunities and entrepreneurial opportunities.
In addition, the development of artificial intelligence has also promoted the digital transformation of traditional industries. Many companies are beginning to use AI to optimize production processes, improve efficiency and quality, and develop intelligent products and services. This requires a large number of technical personnel to support the digital transformation and innovation of enterprises.
Although artificial intelligence technology has brought certain impacts to some jobs and industries, it has also created more jobs and development space for us. The key is to continuously learn and adapt, cultivate talents with AI skills, and continuously improve their comprehensive capabilities in the digital age.
The government, educational institutions and enterprises should also work together to strengthen training and education in the field of artificial intelligence, establish a talent reserve and training system, and provide sufficient talent support for the development of artificial intelligence. At the same time, policymakers should also pay attention to the social impact of AI, actively promote relevant regulatory and ethical frameworks, and ensure that the application of AI is in line with ethical and social values.
In the wave of artificial intelligence, we need to seize opportunities, actively respond to changes, and develop our skills and knowledge with the times. Only in this way can we remain competitive in the era of artificial intelligence, create more jobs, and contribute to the sustainable development of society. By co-developing with AI, we can balance scientific and technological progress with human well-being, and build a future full of opportunities and development.