There is no doubt that the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) and platforms like ChatGPT are transforming the way we work and live. As these technologies continue to evolve, many people are beginning to wonder if certain professions, such as engineering and medicine, may become obsolete.
In a recent study by World Economic Forum, a report titled The Future of Job was published to report on all aspects of jobs over the coming decades. The report studied over 673 million employees worldwide and found that 69 million jobs will be created in the next five years, mostly driven by new technologies and the green transition. Interestingly, these gains will be offset by 83 million jobs being put at risk by economic pressures and automation.
The truth is that AI and chatbots are already starting to take over certain aspects of these roles. For example, ChatGPT can answer simple medical questions and provide basic engineering solutions. However, it’s important to note that these technologies do not replace human expertise and experience.
The world economic Forum report effectively states that around a quarter of today’s jobs will be disrupted in the next five years. Governments, businesses, and workers will need to foster a culture of lifelong learning to embrace these emerging opportunities.
That said, as a technologist and a futurist, I cannot ignore the humanistic side of these conversations. In fact, in a conversation with the founder of Mind Matters Health, Nasim Yazdani, who deals with day to day challenges of her patients, including but not limited to being taken over by ‘robots’, we both agreed that moving forward, the workforce will need to amplify a certain set of humanistic skillsets, in order to remain relevant.
AI and chatbots can help streamline processes and make certain tasks more efficient, but they cannot replace the critical thinking, creativity, and empathy that humans bring to these professions. In fact, as these technologies become more widespread, it is likely that new roles and opportunities will emerge for those who can effectively leverage their unique human skills alongside AI tools.
So as my wife and I help guide my 8-year-old through various levels of the education system, to achieve her future goals and aspirations, we feel that it’s important that I explain to her how technologies such as AI and chat GPT-like platforms are changing the way some traditional professions are operating.
My advice to my daughter will be for her to pursue her passion. But regardless of her career path, I believe she will need to be equipped with the following skillsets that no AI or chat GPT-like platform can replace.
Here are a few of those skillsets:
- Ability to sell and negotiate
- Ability to convey what you think and feel
- Ability to not speak, listen and learn from others
- Ability to adapt, improvise and overcome obstacles
- Ability to walk away
- Ability to stay positive and optimistic
- Ability to speak in front of large audiences
- Ability to keep trying even after failure
- Ability to learn how to learn
- Ability to understand and feel others
- Ability to master your own thoughts
- Ability to write words to persuade and influence others
- Ability to ask for help
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