In the vast ocean of technology, a major storm is brewing – generative AI. We know it’s coming. We know it will hit. But the severity of its impact when it lands remains uncertain. This paradoxical situation, a mix of certainty and uncertainty, is the reality we’re living in. Gartner, a global research and advisory firm, has just released its predictions on the coming generative AI impact on jobs, shedding some light on this complex scenario.
Like many of you, I’ve been closely watching the hype around generative AI. It’s a fascinating, albeit challenging, landscape. On one side, it’s leading to the obsolescence of many tasks and roles, much like an old map losing its relevance in the face of new territories. It’s a sobering thought, knowing that some of the roles we’ve grown accustomed to may soon be a thing of the past.
On the flip side, generative AI is paving the way for new skills and roles, acting as a beacon of light guiding us toward unexplored career paths. It won’t be an easy journey, but many of us will have to explore these new career options. And just like in any other field, the early adopters will have the first-mover advantage. They’ll be the pioneers, setting the pace and direction for the rest of us to follow.
To future-proof our workforce, we need to establish a regular review cycle. It’s a compass that will guide us through the changing winds and currents of the job market. This will help us identify opportunities for multi-skilled generalist roles and teams of specialists. It’s a race for performance, where the combination of diverse skills will lead us to our destination faster.
But what about the jobs?
Despite the rapid advancements in AI, Gartner predicts that the global jobs’ impact will be neutral through 2026. It’s the calm before the storm, where the sea appears tranquil, but the winds of change are gathering strength. By 2036, AI solutions will result in over half a billion net new human jobs, a wave of change that will redefine our professional landscape. The concern lies in trying to determine how many current jobs will be evolved, and how many current jobs will be eliminated.
The generative AI revolution isn’t just on the horizon – it’s already here. We’re seeing evidence of this in real-time, with industry giants like IBM and BT acknowledging that AI will replace some roles. This isn’t a distant future scenario; it’s the reality we’re living in right now.
The question isn’t whether we’ll be affected – we already are. The real question is how we respond. We need to adapt, learn, and grow in the face of these changes. We need to equip ourselves with new skills, embrace new roles, and navigate the evolving landscape of our industries.
The future of work is being reshaped right before our eyes. If we want to ensure we have a place in it, the time to act is now. Seize this opportunity to actively participate in shaping your future. After all, the best way to predict the future is to create it. So let’s roll up our sleeves, embrace the change, and shape our future in the face of the generative AI revolution.
