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Rutendo Gwatidzo, Changing Perspectives
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming our world and its future impact is a topic of interest and discussion.
While others find artificial intelligence as a good thing, we still have a significant number of people who see AI negatively. Thus, while others embrace AI, others resist it; whichever way you see AI and however you feel about it is probably something I would like to encourage you to look deeper into it and to position yourself accordingly to avoid being taken by surprises.
Artificial Intelligence is here and it is slowly dominating regardless of what one feels about it. The Bible in the book of Hosea 4 verse 6 mentions that people perish for lack of knowledge.
I would like to challenge everyone to be proactive when it comes to seeking knowledge about certain things in life especially those that affect a good number of people.
Knowledge brings understanding which helps one to handle situations better.
Allow me to use a practical but sad example.
When Covid-19 started in 2020, a good number of people were ignorant about it even after it had started claiming lives. Some thought they were immune while others thought it was affecting those who travel to certain places only. There are also others who simply did not care about it regardless of what was happening to others. Sadly, many people died including others who may have not probably died had they acquired necessary knowledge.
My family and I are some of the people who suffered strongly the effects of Covid-19.
At some point, four of my immediate family members were attacked by the pandemic. It is only by the grace of God that they are still alive.
The incident was a wake- up call to us regarding seeking knowledge concerning certain things. Before my family got attacked by the pandemic, we had not really cared much about seeking knowledge regarding the virus.
What my family and went through is something that I do not wish anyone to experience. For that reason I will not be silent about encouraging as many people as I can to seek knowledge on certain situations or topics even when it does not affect them directly.
We need to understand though that what affects others around us does affect us all in one way or the other. Do not be ignorant, seek knowledge. Let us talk about AI.
Organisational status.
One of the challenges in many organisations is that of having employees and or managers that resist change.
For different reasons, people may resist change but, the sad fact about change is that it eventually happens even against someone’s will. In my view, the best way to deal with change is to prepare for it so that it does not take you by surprise.
What is clear is that technology keeps advancing and artificial intelligence for instance, will advance. In as much as some organisations may not support of it, AI is slowly dominating hence it is crucial to begin to analyse it to see how it is likely to affect organisations.
There are a number of challenges that artificial intelligence present and some of them are shared below.
Job displacement
AI may automatically replace some jobs especially those involving some repetitive tasks and data analysis.
Skills gap
Future work skills requirements are likely to change. Skills like analytical thinking, creativity, problem solving and emotional intelligence are most likely to take priority.
Inequality
AI is most likely to increase inequality because certain industries are likely to benefit more than others leading to job losses in specific sectors than others hence widen inequality gap.
In as much as AI is most likely to present many challenges beyond the mentioned ones, it is most likely to come along with benefits also. Some of the benefits are shared below.
Job creation
Artificial Intelligence is most likely to create new jobs like cyber security and human machine collaboration just to mention a few. Those looking forward to working in the future can as well consider doing courses in line with the anticipated future changes.
Improved working conditions
AI can be used to take over dangerous and tedious conditions leading to safer and more enjoyable working environments.
Increased productivity
Artificial Intelligence can automate tasks for human workers to focus on one complex thing to increase productivity and economic growth.
There is need to invest in education and training as people navigate the future. I encourage everyone who hopes to have a better future to get to know more about artificial intelligence and to get used to it.
Rutendo Gwatidzo is the managing consultant at The HUB HR Consultancy – as a culture and change management specialist. She is a multi-award winning leader, consultant, speaker and coach. She is also an author of “Born to Fight “and “Breaking the Silence books.Feedback: 0714575805/ [email protected]/ Rutendo Gwatidzo_Official fb public page.
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