6 Negative impact of artificial intelligence on employment

As technology, like intelligence (AI) progresses rapidly today it is changing the way we work and revolutionizing industries. Whether its chatbots assisting with customer queries or advanced algorithms improving manufacturing efficiency AI offers levels of productivity and creativity. Despite these developments there is a growing worry, about how AI could affect job opportunities in the future.

Although AI has the potential to boost efficiency and cut expenses it also brings about concerns regarding the job stability of employees. The looming fear of losing jobs the growing disparity, in skills required and the trend towards work conditions are some of the issues we confront in this modern age. As we welcome these progressions it’s important to comprehend their impact, on the labor market and explore ways to safeguard and support workers. In this article we will delve into the Negative impact of artificial intelligence on employment and talk about why its important to come up with solutions to address these issues promptly.

Understanding AI in the Workplace

AI is changing the landscape of our world, and that includes our working methods. From chatbots that assist with providing customer support, to software that automates manufacturing processes in large factories, AI is everywhere. Although AI here or anywhere—providing the many benefits of greater efficiency and lower operating costs—has its advantages, it is only appropriate to examine how AI negatively affects employment.

Job Displacement Due to Automation

The displacement of jobs is one of the most talked about effects of AI With most of the jobs lost to machines and algorithms that mimic human behavior, humans lose their job. Consider the example of manufacturing, where robots can do repetitive tasks more faster and with lesser errors than any human. You might think of it as an intern that can replace you, only a sit worker that can work on any task extremely quickly, never takes a break and doesn’t need to go on holiday.

Newer research indicates millions of jobs may be at risk in less than a decade. According to the World Economic Forum, automation advances may displace 85 million jobs by 2025 due to labour market shifts. That should make us all process how people and families will manage when a hash of the workforce is impacted.

Skills Gap and Employment Polarization

AI is drawing a wider line between mid-level and low-level jobs. Anyone who can utilize AI tools tends to succeed, but many low-skilled workers are left behind as a result.

For example, there might be a continuing demand for AI development and data analysis positions, but a decrease in manual labor or low-level problem-solving positions. This in itself is called a phenomenon called employment polarization. It leads to an imbalance job market that is void of mid-skill jobs, which in turn adds to income disparity. On a personal level I witness a lot of my friends unable to obtain any source of employment that pays even the bare minimum wage due to the fact that they do not have specific skills in technology and IT.

Reduced Job Opportunities for Entry-Level Positions

For many embarking on their careers, entry-level roles are a crucial stepping-stone. However, due to the rise of companies investing in AI these positions are becoming less frequently available. Kiosks to take orders are already being introduced in many fast food chains, getting rid of cashiers. Essentially, retail involves the combination of an industry whose positions were often filled by enthusiastic first-time workers filled by a new AI that managed inventory and customer service.

It is particularly dire for young people embarking on their careers. Ah, the missed opportunities resulting in a frustrating job search experience. How crazy to think that if you graduated some years ago the actual jobs that used to give you a pathway to build your career are actually just not there anymore?!

Impact on Job Quality

Secondly, AI may also impact the quality of jobs that survive. As productivity and efficiency becomes higher priorities, it can often lead to added stress on workers to deliver. The use of surveillance technology and performance metrics may also result in a work-life that does not satisfy and comfort employees because they themselves that they are working in a humane look-what-you-are-doing-workplace.

When employees are treated like rats on a treadmill, you arrive at burnout and low morale. I myself have had jobs where the focus is more about numbers than on people—I can tell you it is not fun being a statistic.

Economic Implications

The economic ramifications for AI in the workforce are enormous. Unemployment results in lower consumer spending because no one is spending when out of job. In the long run, this will tend to reduce growth.

And yes, while companies will have profits short term seeing how they automated, in the long term they will pay for it. Indeed, fewer jobs equals fewer tax payers and eventual contributors to Social Security programs, which theoretically could saddle the government.

Mitigating the Negative Effects of AI

The threats of AI and automation are real to almost everyone, but it’s not as unstoppable as it seems and there are things we can do to minimize the damage.

• Reskilling programs: Both businesses and the government can finance reskilling programs to offer workers transitioning to new jobs due to AI. It might be the most basic digital literacy, or it might even be high-level coding and artificial intelligence programming courses.

• Focus on Human Skills: In this new world, to shift to new work styles we need to focus on the human skills — which AI cannot replicate — such as creativity, emotional or social intelligence, critical thinking etc. Those all-to-human traits are the ones that we need in health care, education and art.

• Policies and Regulation: They can drive change via policy and regulatory instruments to ensure employment and protection of wages. And there are also incentives for companies to hire people instead of robots

Conclusion

The increasing proximity of AI in the world of work has profound implications for jobs, the nature and quality of jobs and the economy. While there is no question that AI will have an impact on the future work, we need a coordinated effort from individuals, businesses and policymakers to address those challenges. If social and labor market policies accompany reskilling and an emphasis on perfecting human skills, perhaps we can arrive at a world where AI augments—and does not replace—human labor.