While AI experts warn of an employment apocalypse, there's a less-discussed truth that certain skills can make you virtually irreplaceable.
Most strikingly, the 'godfather of AI' worryingly announced that artificial intelligence poses an existential threat to humanity, which is far beyond just the question of which jobs might disappear.
Meanwhile, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman predicts AI could replace a third of all tasks in the global economy within the next decade. That's billions of jobs potentially at risk.
And on a slightly more optimistic note, Microsoft founder Bill Gates identified three professions he believes will survive the AI revolution and remain '100% human.'
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So, not all hope is lost. And according to the experts, we're not powerless.
Rather than sitting back and watching AI take our jobs, there are steps we can take to make ourselves indispensable.
A recent report from Business Insider revealed that the technology industry isn't immune to the AI revolution. However, specific skill sets could help you survive the coming changes.
Noting survey data from job site Indeed, the report identifies job fields such as cybersecurity, data analytics and AI integration teams that still require human brainpower.
However, landing entry-level positions in tech is becoming increasingly difficult. Project managers and software developers are also feeling pressure as AI tools become more capable of handling routine tasks in these roles.
If you're aiming for a career in tech, prioritising certain skill clusters will give you a competitive edge. These include:
- Python, machine learning and data analysis
- AWS, DevOps, and continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD)
Someone who understands both the technical implementation and the business applications of these technologies becomes much harder to replace. That said, naturally, not everyone wants to be a tech guru.
Fortunately, there's another path to AI-proofing your career.
Economist Linda Nazareth was asked about how to 'AI-proof' yourself in the coming years. She answered the human qualities that machines cannot replicate, such as 'resilience, creativity, empathy, motivation, self-awareness, curiosity, service orientation, and teaching and mentoring.'
She explained: "Developing these skills gives you a little bit of armour against all the changes ahead."
Nazareth also warned of AI's impact on people just starting in employment.
Meanwhile, Dr. Roman Yampolskiy revealed that we could see artificial general intelligence (AGI), which is AI that matches or exceeds human intelligence across all domains, as soon as 2027. If that happens, Yampolskiy warns, it would 'make no sense to hire humans for most jobs.'
Either way, the message is clear. Whether you're in tech or not, start futureproofing yourself against AI now.