AI is already replacing certain workers via ChatGPT, an app built by OpenAI, which can answer questions, write copy, draft emails, hold a conversation, explain code in different programming languages, translate natural language to code, and more. (Source: Adobe Stock)

Startling Numbers Predict AI Will Replace Half of Certain Office Workers By 2025

Executives believe nearly half of the skills in today’s workforce won’t be relevant just two years from now due to AI, according to an article in forbes.com. That includes upper-level management skills. This startling proclamation came from a recent survey of 800 executives and 800 employees released by edX, an online education platform.

As AI becomes more and more capable of doing certain jobs, it is clear that some of these jobs will be lost before 2025.

“Executives in the survey estimate that within the next five years, their organizations will eliminate over half (56%) of entry-level knowledge worker roles because of AI. Moreover, 79% of executives predict that entry-level knowledge worker jobs will no longer exist as AI creates an entirely new suite of roles for employees entering the workforce. On top of that, 56% say their own roles will be ‘completely’ or ‘partially’ replaced by AI.

These are worrying numbers for the next generation of workers. Entry-level jobs are now being turned over to AI.

“In my view, the immediate impact of AI on career goals is likely to be minimal,” says Richard Jefts, executive vice president and general manager at HCL Software. “While many companies claim to be leveraging AI, the reality is that most are still in the early stages of adoption.” Expect more of a longer-term impact on careers as AI matures, he says.

 CEOs at Risk

Even the top executive jobs are being threatened by AI’s abilities.

“The edX survey, on the other hand, suggests even the highest-level decision-makers are concerned about their tasks being absorbed into AI. And here’s a real eye-opener: 47% of C-Suite executives believe ‘most’ or ‘all’ of the CEO role should be completely automated or replaced by AI — and even 49% of CEOs themselves agree.”

All Workers Must Learn AI

As hard as it might be to believe, it’s true that AI will affect every aspect of office work. The advancements the most recent version of AI is making are nothing short of extraordinary. The major tech firms are bringing forward ChatGPT, Bing, and others. And it is imperative that we all become competent in using AI on some level.

Being familiar with AI and its capabilities “will enable business professionals to leverage its potential, particularly in areas such as HR, sales, and support,” Jeft agrees. “In the coming months and years, the types of roles or professionals most impacted by AI will primarily be senior IT leaders who need to understand the technology.”

No matter the worker’s age or career stage, the need to understand AI and use the tools available in each industry can not be overstated. The good news is that AI won’t be able to replace certain human skills.

“Leaders, individuals with curiosity, and those with recognizable team engagement skills will remain in high demand,” says Jefts. “Finding leaders and individuals with strong soft skills is a greater challenge that generative AI cannot accomplish.”

read more at forbes.com