Commentary: No, machines are not taking over the workforce

Recent news, social media headlines and technological community chatter around the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have reignited fears that machines will soon replace the jobs traditionally done by humans.

The technology is already in our lives and the change is real, with numerous examples, including AI robot prosthetics, AI in augmented reality for the medical industry, and even AI music bands.

Whilst the sci-fi ideology that machines will one day take over the world is not new, the prowess and data set of new bots such as ChatGPT-4 has made this sense of fear somewhat real.

To understand why, we need to look at how the world of work has evolved today, fueled by factors such as the rise in hybrid work coupled with technologies like AI and machine learning.

The days when companies had structured job roles, rigid responsibilities, linear career progression, and lifetime employment for their employees have changed.

Instead, the concept of work today has evolved to that of a skills-based one, to which we must adapt.

Faced with the speed and scale at which the nature of jobs and related skills are changing, organisations need to adopt a skills-based approach and leverage AI and machine learning technologies to prepare their workforce for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

In other words, instead of fearing machines, leaders need to utilise new technology innovations to their advantage to power an intelligent, agile, and competitive workforce of the future.

LEVERAGING AI AND ML FOR THEIR UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES

AI and machine learning have the potential to revolutionise the future of work, especially with the advancements in generative AI.

Such innovations are fundamental in helping organisations deliver a skills-based talent management approach, so they not only hire and retain the right talent but also upskill existing talent to meet the evolving needs of today’s digital world.

To illustrate this, one example is how at my employer Workday has a Career Hub which is powered by machine learning to give employees suggestions on skills upgrades. It also encourages them to build a learning and development plan as they explore opportunities for continued career advancement.

Such initiatives serve to enhance the employee experience and will be critical in talent retention and overall business success.

These include opportunities for internal mobility, career advancement, and perhaps even short-term assignments to allow employees to experiment with entirely new career tracks.

Applying AI and machine learning is equally essential to other functions in the workplace, from sales and operations to finance.

In finance, teams traditionally spend an inordinate amount of time gathering information and reconciling transactions throughout the month and at quarter close.

Leveraging machine learning, finance professionals can identify patterns, trends, map possible futures, and automatically highlight anomalies — enabling them to better manage risks, plan, and complete the financial close process in mere hours or minutes.

This increased efficiency also frees up time for employees to take on more complex and value-added tasks.

More importantly, AI and machine learning technologies should be seen as complementing and enhancing human work capabilities, rather than replacing them.

While machines can help automate and drive greater insight from large amounts of data or take over manual, repetitive processes, machines lack the problem-solving, high touch, analytical abilities, empathy, and creativity that humans possess.

Similarly, when it comes to reacting quickly to insights that have surfaced, AI and machine learning can be used to customise the search function and recommend features within the user experience that are customised for the individual, mobile, or web.

This greatly enhances the end-user experience and allows employees access to what they need faster.

RESPONSIBLE, ETHICAL AI A KEY FOUNDATION

For AI and machine learning to flourish and deliver on the strong growth potential they offer, they must be trustworthy and focus on augmenting human abilities, not displacing them.

To this end, trust must be designed into the very foundation of these technologies, so they continue to drive positive societal outcomes.

Central to this is ensuring that humans remain the final decision-makers in any AI and machine learning technology. This approach assures that employees and leaders alike will continue to benefit from these new innovations to become even more productive, efficient, and informed.

Singapore, the Asia Pacific region’s technology and innovation hub, has been a leader in the adoption of AI and machine learning technologies and is also at the forefront of responsible AI policymaking.

The nation launched the world’s first AI Governance Testing Framework and Toolkit in 2022 to promote greater transparency and foster public trust in AI. Such initiatives are a step in the right direction as the usage of AI and machine learning technology increases exponentially.

As organisations embrace technology, meaningful policy discussions are needed around how to utilise AI and machine learning responsibly and understanding that its broader societal impact involves input from all stakeholders, from governments and industry associations to the companies that are developing these technologies.

AI and machine learning will no doubt bring future opportunities to the workforce, from improving access to career opportunities, to increasing efficiencies and fostering greater equality.

With joint efforts from the public and private businesses, I am confident that we will be able to establish new standards and policies that drive greater human progress, create new jobs, and further develop economies.

These new technologies have also given rise to a new reality where roles previously unimaginable have emerged for displaced workers, but it is a new frontier they must be willing to explore by upskilling and staying adaptable to seize jobs of the future.

This is the promise that AI and machine learning bring so stay on for the ride as we are just getting started. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Damian Leach is Chief Technology Officer for Asia-Pacific and Japan at Workday, a systems software firm.