AI could double number of jobs but skills needed

The rise of machines, robots and algorithms in the workplace stands to create almost double the number of jobs for the global economy by the middle of the next decade than it puts at risk of being replaced. The Guardian reports that this is according to the World Economic Forum (WEF), which says about 133m jobs globally could be created with the help of rapid technological advances in the workplace over the next decade, compared with 75m that could be displaced. The report says the findings will go some way towards assuaging fears that the rise of the robot economy could cost millions of workers their jobs. The findings, from a survey of company executives representing 15m workers in 20 different nations, does, however, warn of risks posed by automation. Klaus Schwab, chair of the WEF, said employment gains from technology were not a ‘foregone conclusion’ and would require greater investment in training and education to help workers adapt.

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New research from Henley Business School has revealed that ‘AI assistants’ will give UK workers more than two working weeks back every year by 2030. People Management reports that the research showed that artificial intelligence (AI) assistants could give workers back 12 working days a year by taking on a weekly average of 3.5 hours in admin tasks – it explained how the majority of the workforce in the UK will be working with artificial intelligence on a daily basis by 2030, with technology such as AI assistants expected to be commonplace in the next decade. It’s time to start thinking of the AI emergence as an opportunity for new professionals to come into the workforce, according to Rob McCargow, PwC UK’s director of AI. ‘The HR profession will be critical when understanding the human impact of this,’ McCargow said. ‘We will need people who understand how AI aligns with businesses and their corporate standpoint.’

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