In the early 2000s accounting software and other business technologies were taking the world by storm. Publishing houses like Forbes put out gloom and doom articles about how many careers that the middle class depended on would be vanishing in the next several years.
Accounting was mentioned frequently. Why not right? There are applications that effectively do the same job that accountants do. You can get this software for a reasonably priced subscription. It does not require benefits. It does not ask for a salary.
Sound familiar? Artificial intelligence programs provide similar functionality. Obviously, we still have accountants. Will AI replace tech professionals, or just provide an easier way for them to do their jobs?
Short answer
It is reasonable for software engineers, and for that matter, many other types of professionals to be deeply concerned with the direction artificial intelligence is taking. That said, it’s a little early to call the fight.
For all of artificial intelligence’s impressive progress over the last several years, it is still a far cry from being ready to replace humans without any form of supervision.
The time it takes to tell artificial intelligence programs what to do and then check over the results is really pretty similar to the amount of time it takes to do a task by hand.
Software engineers may benefit from AI when it comes to tasks that involve repetition. Work that is not terribly complicated. However, the program is not ready to do all of the heavy lifting itself yet.
While AI handles the busy work, engineers can spend more time doing the important jobs.
Similar results are being seen across employment sectors. Customer service is a very good example. It could be said that artificial intelligence is capable of handling almost all of the responsibilities currently performed by the average CX agent.
You could say something similar about a well-written company policy page.
What makes customer service stand out is not the policies themselves, but how they are administered by humans. Similarly, software engineering and other tech-related professions benefit from human creativity, and even empathy.
These are things that artificial intelligence programs are not even close to being able to accomplish.
Does that mean that people working in tech have nothing to worry about? Not quite.
Things Tech Professionals Should Keep in Mind
Being technologically fluent is still a valuable skill to have when seeking employment. That said, as organizations optimize for efficiency, they may require fewer professionals to do the same work. A team that once needed seven people may now be able to get by with five.
This could create job scarcity. Job scarcity creates an employer-centric market. In other words, companies that are hiring tech professionals may have more leverage than the people seeking employment. This makes it harder to negotiate.
Here’s the thing: The job market is always changing. Eventually, some tech professionals may take their skills elsewhere. College students who might have otherwise been interested in tech will choose a different major. Suddenly, there will be a labor shortage in tech, and the power will fall back to the workers.
In the short term, the overall advantage will definitely go to experienced professionals with a proven track record. It will be easier to seek promotions or new job opportunities if you have a work history, and can offer skills that go beyond manual entry tasks.
Rookies needn’t panic. There are still many ways to use a degree in technology. If it is taking longer than expected to find work, consider using freelancing opportunities as a way to supplement your income while you look for full-time employment.
Most importantly, be patient. Eventually, you will find an opportunity.
Are We All Luddites?
The Luddites are a fun economic reference people like to cite when discussing careers that are about to become obsolete. While many equate the term with people who are resistant to change. The truth is a little bit more complicated. The historical Luddites were the last major generation of professional textile workers to do everything by hand.
During their time, they were actually extremely powerful. They had a skill that was in high demand that not many people could do. This allowed them to command high salaries and even set their own hours.
Then industrial weaving technology developed. Suddenly factory owners did not need dozens of highly paid professionals when they could instead pay for several expensive but ultimately more effective machines.
The ensuing conflict between Luddites and factory owners was bloody and prolonged. The results, of course, were not decided in favor of the working man.
Are we all Luddites? The professional marketplace does change. People become displaced. This is the inevitability.
That said the Luddites are not the only historical example of people who have been thrown off by technology that does tasks similar to what they used to do by hand.
Have you heard the old story about the horsewhip manufacturer? With the advent of cars, he closed up his shop, giving up without a fight. He was wrong to do so. What he did not understand is that he was never in the whip industry. He was in the acceleration business, and the demand for that industry was only just taking off.
Yes, they will always be Luddites. That said, in many cases, jobs don’t go away completely. They simply change shape.
Tech professionals who are concerned with AI should look for ways they can use artificial intelligence to complement their existing workflows. You can’t fight progress. You can look for ways to use it to your advantage.
Are we all Luddites? Perhaps in the sense that we fear the unknown or resist changes that disrupt our established routines. However, history shows that those who adapt rather than oppose often find new opportunities in shifting landscapes. The key lies in recognizing when to evolve and in understanding that progress, while disruptive, can also create room for innovation. In many cases, those who learn to work alongside new technologies are the ones who thrive in the long run.
About the Author
Ryan Ayers is a researcher and consultant within multiple industries including information technology, blockchain and business development. Always up for a challenge, Ayers enjoys working with startups as well as Fortune 500 companies. When not at work, Ayers loves reading science fiction novels and watching the LA Clippers.
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