Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is not merely a trendy topic; it is reshaping the workforce.
According to McKinsey, “Gen AI is revolutionizing the status quo,” despite technology having previously made a significant impact on blue-collar industries.
In a recent report, the management consulting firm highlighted that “Employees with higher levels of education are expected to bear the brunt of these changes.”
Does AI pose a threat to employment?
Generative AI, a subset of AI capable of producing text, graphics, and various forms of information, is projected to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and unlock new growth opportunities across diverse sectors.
Despite being in existence for over 50 years, Generative AI has garnered significant attention since the introduction of OpenAI’s ChatGPT robot in November 2022.
ChatGPT, an AI chatbot based on a sophisticated language model enabling users to craft responses, edit texts, and generate images and videos, has sparked discussions on the potential transformations AI could bring to businesses and workplaces, potentially rendering certain tasks obsolete.
How can individuals stay relevant?
Amid the rapid adoption of technology, researchers generally agree that individuals must “upskill” or “reskill” themselves to adapt to the evolving landscape effectively.
Oliver Wyman conducts regular surveys involving over 200,000 individuals from 20 different countries to gather insights on perceptions of Generative AI and other trends.
The study reveals that employers prioritize specific skill sets to keep their workforce abreast of developments.
Five essential skill sets for navigating the evolving landscape include:
- Logical reasoning
- Creative thinking
- Social influence and management
- Proficiency in big data and AI
- Curiosity and continuous learning
Oliver Wyman’s research on Generative AI highlights a discrepancy between the skill sets deemed crucial by employees and those prioritized by employers.
While employees focus on acquiring skills in big data and AI, employers emphasize analytical thinking, according to a spokesperson for Oliver Wyman interviewed by CNBC Make It.
In the age of AI, logical reasoning remains crucial as human intervention is indispensable for synthesizing results and drawing informed conclusions, despite AI’s prowess in processing and analyzing data effectively.
Innovative thinking is another indispensable human skill that individuals should cultivate. While Gen AI excels at generating ideas, crafting content, or composing music efficiently, its abilities are rooted in the data on which it has been trained.
According to an Oliver Wyman spokesperson, “generative AI lacks the cultural nuances and ethical judgment that individuals bring to the table.” It fails to replicate the instinctual leaps, cross-disciplinary connections, and entirely novel solutions that humans are capable of creating.
Implications of these developments
Gen AI is expected to handle more routine tasks, freeing up time for workers to focus on tasks requiring human touch or specialized knowledge.
Tasks demanding interpersonal skills such as leadership, as well as those grounded in expertise or experience, are projected to dominate the workday.
As AI continues to reshape the workforce significantly, there is a growing demand for the “skill of the moment,” which has seen a substantial increase in year-over-year demand.
Ultimately, organizations may bear the responsibility of upskilling and reskilling their workforce, particularly in leveraging new AI tools effectively.
Research indicates that traits emphasizing human-centric skills like adaptability, creativity, social impact, and inquisitiveness will be more critical than ever for employees to remain competitive in the evolving job market.
In essence, Generative AI is unlikely to replace these quintessentially “human” attributes.
