Steal or Help... AI, the Job Counterattack

WEF "26,000 Jobs Will Disappear"
IBM to Replace 30% of HR Roles with AI
Creative Jobs Like Copywriters Threatened
Also Seen as an Assistant to Improve Work Efficiency

"Will artificial intelligence (AI) become a job thief or an assistant?"

Recently, with the surge of AI services like 'Chat GPT' that can engage in relatively human-like conversations, the invasion of AI into jobs is becoming visible. AI, which was once limited to experimental services, has now reached a level where its industrial application can be seriously considered, making it a spotlighted substitute for humans. While forecasts vary, many predict that a significant number of jobs could be replaced by AI. On the other hand, some analyses suggest that AI could actually serve as an assistant that enhances human work efficiency.

◆The AI Job Invasion Has Already Begun

On the 1st (local time), IBM, a U.S. computer software development company, announced that it would halt hiring in fields highly likely to be replaced by AI and automate 30% of non-customer-facing roles. Approximately 26,000 employees at IBM perform non-customer-facing tasks, which means that, according to IBM’s forecast, about 7,800 jobs could be lost in the future. IBM judged that low-complexity HR staff responsible for tasks such as preparing employment verification letters or managing employee department transfers are the most likely to be replaced by AI.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The threat of AI has also begun in the creator sector, which produces results based on human creativity. BlueFocus, China’s largest media advertising group, announced plans to replace copywriters and designers with generative AI like ChatGPT to reduce outsourcing costs. They believe that generative AI based on large language models can substitute the creative phrases of copywriters and the artwork of designers.

◆26 Million Jobs at Risk

As companies reveal their AI utilization plans, on the 30th of last month (local time), the World Economic Forum (WEF) predicted that 26 million jobs will disappear over the next five years due to the adoption of AI technology, based on a survey of over 800 companies across 45 countries.

Goldman Sachs expects the scale of job losses to be even greater than WEF’s estimate. They foresee that AI advancements over the next decade could replace up to 300 million full-time jobs.

Notably, Goldman Sachs stated that the jobs replaced by AI are not low-skilled manual labor. While office, management, and legal jobs?traditionally classified as white-collar?are each nearly 50% likely to be replaced by AI, tasks such as building cleaning and maintenance are expected to have an automation probability of around 5%.

Looking further ahead, there are predictions that the AI job invasion could lead humans to become a so-called ‘useless class’ that provides no labor at all. Renowned historian Yuval Harari predicted that just as horses were phased out with the advent of automobiles in the 19th century, humans may become obsolete in the market.

◆AI Could Also Enhance Work Efficiency

However, there are also forecasts that AI will expand its role as a human assistant rather than simply replacing jobs. It is expected that by handling simple tasks, AI will provide opportunities for humans to demonstrate their capabilities more efficiently.

For example, IBM, which predicted that simple HR tasks would be replaced by AI, also believes that complex HR tasks such as team composition and employee performance evaluation will be difficult for AI to replace over the next decade. If AI handles simple tasks like preparing employment documents, HR personnel will be able to reorganize their work to focus on higher-level tasks.

Seong-ik Jo, Associate Research Fellow at the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training, explained, "AI can replace certain human tasks, allowing people to develop other skills. Rather than viewing AI as completely replacing jobs, it should be seen as an entity that will bring changes in how we work collaboratively."

Additionally, some professions may require humans to perform tasks even as AI technology advances, due to social and economic factors. Even if AI technology develops to the point of performing tasks, it may be difficult in the near term for AI to acquire socially agreed-upon ethics, empathy, and communication skills.

Associate Research Fellow Jo stated, "Judges make rulings and take responsibility for the outcomes, and people accept their decisions. In contrast, AI lacks accountability, and we must consider whether people will accept AI’s rulings. Jobs that require understanding social consensus, responsibility, and empathy will not be easily replaced by AI."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.