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Elevate Magazine
February 3, 2025

Artificial Intelligence and Job Security: Will Technology Replace Humans?

artificial intelligence and job security will technology replace humans

I remember having a conversation with colleagues about the implementation of artificial intelligence in workplaces. The advantages are clear—greater productivity, improved work efficiency, and time savings. Despite the enthusiasm in the room, I remained silent, grappling with a troubling thought: Will people still have jobs once everything becomes powered by AI?

Technology replacing humans in the workplace has long been a source of fear and has gained increased attention recently due to the rise of AI.

Artificial intelligence has existed for quite a while, but its adoption has surged in previous years across various sectors, such as healthcare, finance, retail, and logistics. While AI presents numerous advantages, it can also lead to workforce challenges and pose a threat to job security. 

What is Artificial Intelligence Anyway? 

Artificial intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, particularly computer systems. This technology allows computers to perform tasks that typically require human intellect, such as reasoning, learning, problem-solving, perception, and language processing. 

Healthcare is a prominent sector where artificial intelligence is utilised. Machine learning algorithms analyse vast amounts of medical data to identify patterns that can assist clinicians in making more accurate diagnoses at earlier stages of diseases. AI tools also facilitate the development of individualised treatment plans, optimising resource allocation within hospitals, and enhancing overall management.

The financial services sector employs AI for a variety of applications, including fraud detection, algorithmic trading, and risk assessment. AI systems analyse transaction patterns in real-time to flag suspicious activities, thereby enhancing security measures against fraud. Additionally, machine learning models assist in making investment decisions by processing vast datasets to identify profitable opportunities quickly.

In retail, AI enhances customer experiences by analysing shopping behaviours to provide personalised recommendations. This technology also optimises inventory management by predicting demand trends, thus reducing instances of overstock or stockouts. 

The above are just a few instances of how AI is being applied across sectors, and its application continues to expand daily as technology advances.

The Positive Impacts of Artificial Intelligence on Employment

Increased productivity

One of the most notable benefits of AI is its ability to automate repetitive and mundane tasks. This automation allows employees to focus on more strategic, creative, and interpersonal aspects of their jobs, leading to increased job satisfaction and productivity. For instance, AI can streamline operations in industries such as logistics and customer service by using chatbots for routine enquiries, freeing up human workers for more complex problem-solving roles. 

New job opportunities

AI is driving the creation of new job categories. Roles such as machine learning engineers, data scientists, and AI ethicists are in high demand. By 2030, it is estimated that AI could create between 20 and 50 million new jobs globally across various sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, and finance.

Improved decision-making

AI tools are enhancing decision-making processes across various sectors. In healthcare, for example, AI assists professionals with diagnostics and treatment recommendations, improving patient outcomes while reducing workload. Similarly, in finance and logistics, AI enhances accuracy and efficiency in data analysis and operational management.

The Potential Risks of Artificial Intelligence on Job Security

Job losses

Goldman Sachs estimates that AI could replace the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs globally by 2030, with about two-thirds of jobs in the U.S. and Europe exposed to some degree of automation. 

Income inequality

AI is expected to boost productivity and economic growth significantly—potentially adding around $13 trillion to global GDP by 2030. However, this growth may not be evenly distributed. There are concerns that AI could aggravate income inequality, as workers who can leverage AI technologies may see their wages rise, while others may face stagnation or decline in earnings due to job displacement.

Employee mental health

The integration of AI in the workplace has led to increased anxiety among employees regarding their job security. A SurveyMonkey Workforce report indicates that 60% of workers using AI regularly express concerns about being replaced by automation. This fear can affect productivity and damage workplace morale. 

Can Artificial Intelligence Take Over Our Jobs?

While the above findings suggest that artificial intelligence will lead to job losses in the future, it is indeed difficult to say it will completely do so. 

Can AI replace us? As I pondered this, I remembered the qualities that make us unique: our creativity, empathy, and ability to connect with others. Artificial intelligence might streamline processes and increase efficiency, but could it ever replicate the warmth of a genuine conversation or the spark of human creativity? 

Moreover, while some jobs might disappear, new ones would emerge in their place. History has shown us that technological advancements often lead to the creation of entirely new industries. For instance, the Industrial Revolution led to the decline of agrarian jobs but simultaneously spurred the growth of urban employment opportunities. Similarly, the advent of computers and the internet has transformed industries, creating roles in IT, digital marketing, and e-commerce.

With this realisation came a sense of hope. The future might be uncertain, but it also held the promise of evolution. So, rather than fearing AI, we must embrace it. Seek opportunities to learn new skills and adapt to this changing landscape.

Businesses and governments can also implement proactive measures to alleviate the adverse impacts of artificial intelligence on employment, including investing in retraining and educational programs for workers.

Perhaps the future wouldn’t just be about AI and other sorts of technology; it would be about how we choose to integrate them into our lives while celebrating what makes us uniquely human.