Patrick Biltgen’s Post

The attached article covers a lot of ground, really well. (Not a quick read ;-) I like how it starts by talking about how many meaningless jobs there are. I've been asking myself why we keep doing a lot of what we do for a while now. This article touches lightly on some of the reasons why in addition to a thoughtful discussion on the kinds of jobs we'll lose. The answer to the question posed in the title is "yes". The next question is :"How many and how fast?" Probably too many and too fast for a smooth transition given what feels like a perfect storm of need and opportunity for AI to have it's long awaited impact. Long awaited at least by those of us who read Issac Asimov or William Gibson as kids and lived through the early 90's when AI made it's first headlines and promises. From my perspective it feels like we've reached "peak global employment" and while there will be winners, losers and lots of shuffling of where those are (geography and sector) the number of chairs (jobs) in the game is going down while the number of players (job seekers) in many countries is high and/or growing. The sooner we figure out how to deal with the growing number of workers that will be displaced from roles that don't translate well in the "brave new world" or at points in their careers where it's too late for them to get back in the game, the better off we will all be. https://lnkd.in/gC6jkjFa #AI #FutureOfWork #JobMarket #Automation #EmploymentTrends

Will AI replace "meaningless jobs"? This garnered lots of attention after a high profile tech executive made a comment, dismissing the concern that AI would simply replace meaningless jobs and leave the good ones. But this logic has two fallacies. 1) Meaning doesn't come from the inherent tasks in a job: a) If it did, then who would be the arbitrator of meaning? Future generations might say that programming is a job without meaning, much like some people today trivialize people who used type writers. b) While some acts, such as courage and integrity, confer meaning and value, these are fundamentally different than tasks, or features of a job, which are inherently neutral. 2) Jobs are distributions of tasks, and these change in response to a variety of technological, social, political, and economic forces. a) Even what seems like a "good job" can change radically over time. Economists used to do a lot more linear algebra than they do today automatically using statistical software, for instance! b) Industrial policy and management substantially shape how we perform our tasks, which is obvious. Some of us love our "managers" - whatever that might mean - and some of us do not! The debate about AI and the labor market is much, much more complicated than meets the eye. #ai #labormarket #economics https://lnkd.in/eShaJhkF

Very interesting and well-written article by Emma Goldberg of The New York Times. Before we start using AI to perform jobs or tasks at organizations, we need to start weeding out the unnecessary and irrelevant work that is being performed by employees today. And where did this notion that employees have to work 40 hours to earn their pay? Several decades ago, many economists had forecasted that given the levels of automation, we will not need to work so many hours to earn our pay. That has not been achieved. Perhaps now is the time to look at this contrarian view at organizxations. That you don't need employees to have to work 40 hours to pay them their full wages. Pay them on what they produce. Artificial intelligence will take away the grunt work but hopefully also drive that need more human intelligence.

“It’s demoralizing to realize that your job can be replaced by technology. It can bring the pointlessness into sharp relief. And it can also nudge people to ask what they want out of work and seek out new, more exhilarating pursuits.” As #AI moves from replacing tasks to automating workflows to replacing jobs, we will face many personal, societal, and moral question on the nature of work and the role it plays in our lives. Meaningless, after all, “is in the eye of the worker.” https://lnkd.in/em9n9h3u

As we all know, AI is automating many tasks while also creating new opportunities that require different skill sets. Even if you're not one of the "flunkies, goons or box tickers" described in the article, AI is already affecting your job (or the way somebody is thinking about your job). People just like Brad in this New York Times piece are proactively gaining knowledge to successfully navigate the future of work, earning credentials like Pearson's IT Specialist Certification https://lnkd.in/g-2sGZk8. https://lnkd.in/gr_6T5Ba

The rise of AI in the workplace could eliminate many meaningless jobs, which workers often find psychologically degrading. AI has the potential to automate roles that involve repetitive and mundane tasks, freeing up employees to seek more fulfilling pursuits. However, this shift might also lead to job displacement and lower wages for many. Despite the challenges, AI could prompt a broader reflection on the purpose and value of work. I thought this was an insightful and thought-provoking read. #HR #HumanResources #AI #FutureOfWork #JobAutomation #MeaningfulWork

This is an excellent article about the impact and opportunities with AI, as well as its possible positive and negative impact on work and workers! BLUF, we have seen it every time a significant new technology comes around! We have enough reps with this, over hundreds of years, that we should be able to do a better job harnessing the upside and using some of that benefit to cushion the downside, than we have in the past! https://lnkd.in/gxrdFQiB

Since the hype around AI began, the prevailing narrative around AI's impact on the workforce paints two stark contrasts:: either a productivity bonanza for corporations or a catastrophic job loss crisis. But a less explored aspect is the potential impact on jobs that workers themselves perceive as meaningless. Seriously, work is meaningful, but much of it can be pointless especially when bogged down by repetitive tasks. We need to redefine the value of work in an AI-driven world and understand the new opportunities that could emerge for humans. That may sound Pollyanna in discussing AI, but the harsh truth is that tech companies pushing the AI narrative have done an abysmal job in selling us on the value of the technology. People were already concerned about AI taking over human jobs, and rather than alleviating fears, tech companies instead got rid of their employees to automate those jobs. What's bad for the gander is bad for the goose. The same can be said for businesses that have invested in AI technology. Many have done so due to fears of falling behind competitors rather than developing coherent, tangible goals about their AI projects. We're missing the boat on AI. What everyone from companies to workers should be focused on is how AI helps us get to the next level. By that, I mean reducing meaningless tasks and pointless work so we can focus on the more critical strategic activities that matter. Surprisingly, that has been MIA in talking points across the board. Companies want productivity. Workers want purpose. Those may sound like diametrically opposing goals, but they're really not. Or at least, they shouldn't be. It's impossible to predict the exact shape of the labor market as AI advances. But amidst the potential upheaval, a silver lining may emerge: workers freed from repetitive roles could find purpose in entirely new occupations born from the automation process. Value doesn't magically happen. One of the biggest shortcomings is the lack of guidance or training from companies in implementing AI technology. Expecting workers to 'figure it out' through a trial-by-fire approach simply doesn't work. If anything, it will further alienate and dissatisfy workers, pulling them down the drain of meaningless work. While technology is poised to revolutionize the workplace, it cannot override the complex emotions people associate with work. Thus far, AI has been unable to connect this bridge https://lnkd.in/gYXpzvtb #artificialintelligence #generativeai #workers #work #jobs #automation #strategy

⛓️💥Breaking the bullshit-job cycle: How AI could usher in a job satisfaction revolution… AI is poised to replace many routine, repetitive or simply useless jobs, often labeled as "bullshit jobs." This shift could allow people to focus on more fulfilling and creative work, potentially increasing job satisfaction. While some fear the loss of jobs, the transition could lead to a restructuring of the workforce, emphasizing roles that require human empathy and creativity. This might improve overall well-being and productivity in the long run… right? 🗞️ Food for thought from by Emma Goldberg in today’s #NewYorkTimes: https://lnkd.in/eJ8zXQSn #AI #automation #jobs #futureOfWork #technology #creativity #employment #workforce #jobSatisfaction #innovation #robotics #AIimpact #economicChange #careerDevelopment #newOpportunities #humanTouch #skillDevelopment #workplaceEvolution #jobSecurity #fulfillment 🤖 coCreated by gpt-4

The New York Times discuss the rise of AI in automating jobs, leading to concerns about job displacement across industries. As #AI continues to replace routine tasks, there's an increasing demand for workers with new, specialized skills. Upwork can help businesses and workers navigate this transition by offering access to a global talent pool skilled in AI and #technology, allowing companies to adapt more quickly while providing workers with opportunities to #reskill and find new roles in the evolving job market.