AI Vs Jobs: In the coming ten years, about 30 lakh low-skilled jobs may be lost due to AI and automation. A new report has made this claim. This study by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) shows that machines are rapidly replacing jobs like trade, machine operations and admin. However, according to the report, 23 lakh new jobs can also be created during this period, but they will mostly be in high-skilled sectors. This means that people with low skills are going to face an employment crisis and a big challenge of reskilling.
The biggest threat to low-skill jobs
The NFER report suggests that around 3 million low-skill jobs could be lost in the UK by 2035. This includes administrative assistants, machine operators, warehouse staff, cashiers and many trade works like plumbing, roofing and electrical work. The biggest problem with these roles is that they are repetitive and predictable, which AI and robotic systems can easily do. Because of this, people with low skills are at the highest risk of losing their jobs.
Demand for high-skilled jobs will increase, but the nature of work will change
According to the report, demand for jobs in high-skilled sectors like engineering, science, and education will increase. The reason for this is that technology increases productivity and more experts are needed in these areas. However, in these professions too, AI will handle tasks like research, document drafting and data analysis, which may reduce the need for junior level. It is clear from this change that AI will not replace it completely, but will change the way of working.
Lakhs of people will be affected
The report warns that fears over AI are sometimes exaggerated, but the real challenge for low-skilled workers is reskilling. Most of the new jobs being created are professional or associate professional roles, in which low-skilled workers are not easily able to access. Hillary says that it will be very difficult for the 10-30 lakh people who lost their jobs to find new opportunities. This difference could create huge pressure on the UK labor market in the coming years.
Big companies have already started cutting
The report shows that companies are cutting jobs all over the world due to AI. Recently Clifford Chance laid off 10% of its staff from its business services team in London. PwC also withdrew plans to hire 1 lakh between 2021-2026, saying AI has changed their needs. Apple cut some roles in its sales team, while Google laid off more than 100 employees from its design and cloud research units. However, NFER says that the main reason for all the layoffs may not be AI but economic uncertainty.
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