Countering an AI takeover requires back to basics approach

Progress in technology and job creation are closely interconnected. Whenever a significant tech advance emerges, the immediate concern is its possible impact on job opportunities—some jobs may disappear, while new ones will emerge, often differing from those they replace.

This shift is a natural consequence due to its relationship with living standards and unemployment rates.

There is growing debate about a potential decline in job opportunities due to rapid tech advances, particularly in AI, which is driving an unprecedented shift towards more automation.  While some perspectives tend to exaggerate and incite concern, others take a more objective approach, offering scientific analysis grounded in data and the human experience.

This is not the first time such a transition has occurred between two stages of progress. Despite the scale and impact of the current shift, history has witnessed similar transformations, often accompanied by the same fears. When the wheel was first invented—an innovation now seen as a fundamental part of human history and as a thing from the past—people were apprehensive, fearing job losses. 

Yet, the outcome was quite the opposite. Despite the simplicity of the invention, it revolutionised the modes of transportation. The same pattern repeated itself during the Industrial Revolution two centuries ago, when a radical shift propelled humanity into a new era, once again raising concerns that ultimately proved unfounded.

The world today is experiencing similar sentiments, with extensive discussions about the impact of cutting-edge technology on job opportunities. While there will undoubtedly be significant changes in the relationship between humans and machines, it is essential to approach this issue pragmatically and away from exaggeration. 

Some jobs will inevitably disappear, but new ones will emerge, which are more specialised and beneficial. However, these will require different skills and a level of education than before.

In this context, the Director-General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) predicted that by 2030, between 70 million to 80 million jobs will be created in technology and AI, while millions of other jobs will disappear.

This underscores a qualitative shift in the nature of employment. Notably, despite rapid growth in technology over the past 50 years, global unemployment has improved, reaching 5%, according to ILO.

The impact of these changes will vary from one country to another. Nations that implement qualitative improvements in education will be better equipped to keep pace and generate job opportunities, while others face exclusion and rising unemployment rates. 

Germany has welcomed over a million immigrants, primarily Syrians, in recent years to meet its labour market demands, a trend expected to continue. Similarly, British stats indicate that the UK’s population is projected to rise from its current 68 million to 74 million by 2036, not due to birth rates, which are in decline, but as a result of immigration and the ongoing demand for skilled labour from abroad.

Such a significant transformation requires, above all, radical shifts in the quality of education, ensuring it keeps pace with the advances in tech. The current era demands different disciplines and high skills, and fortunately, countries have comparable opportunities to achieve this progress.

Success will depend on educational policies adopted and their ability to meet the evolving demands of AI. Such an approach will not only dispel fears of job losses but also propel the labour market to a new phase, where workers  enjoy high salaries and improved living standards.

Conversely, if the significant link between technological progress and quality of education is neglected, concerns of job losses will be justified.