Here we are, some two years since OpenAI first released ChatGPT to the public. And hundreds of debates, legislations, articles, roundtables, and millions of users later, AI has begun to firmly cement itself into our economy and into the global workforce.
One thing is certain—the AI boom is not a temporary hype. However, some questions remain to be answered, while some have already been solved. One question that is already being solved before our eyes is how exactly AI will transform jobs.
In its latest report on AI and its effect on the workforce, DeVry University shared some noteworthy insights on artificial intelligence and its impact on the future of work. These insights are necessary for every professional to be aware of, as they have strong potential to shape your job outlook within the near future:
Employers are beginning to identify more practical use cases for artificial intelligence within the workplace, as relates to hiring and managing their employees.
For example, an estimated 44% of organisations are using AI to analyse and track work performance, the report said, while about a third of employers are using AI to identify skills gaps, recommend solutions, and personalize internal communications for more efficient collaboration.
Additionally, more than two thirds of employers are using AI to assist them in the process of evaluating job applications.
Since a large percentage of employers use AI when reviewing job applications, it is essential to remain a step ahead, do your homework, and familiarize yourself with popular AI-powered tools that they might be using to view your application. This way, you can maintain a competitive edge and ensure your job application stands out.
Additionally, if you work in a management or leadership role, it would certainly help to seek to learn how to incorporate AI into your workflow and that of your organization, so that you can optimize communications and improve your performance management.’
The second insight which is quite eye-opening, reveals that many workers and employers express an overall positive sentiment towards AI as relates to job security. When artificial intelligence initially became popular with the advent of ChatGPT, one primary concern that was voiced by many was that it would eliminate many jobs.
What we are seeing today is that although AI has been partially responsible for the layoffs of 2023 and 2024, it actually has positive benefits on the workforce through creating new jobs, increasing pay by as much as 47%, and creating an entirely new category for jobs altogether.
About a quarter of workers believe that AI will provide them access to more career opportunities, and nearly half of those surveyed by DeVry plan to reskill so they can pivot into a more AI-focused role. It was also estimated that 54% of employees agree that AI will make their work easier; only 9% are worried that it will have a negative impact on their careers, with one in five feeling insecure about their jobs.
If you're feeling insecure about your current job due to the rapid developments of AI, the best thing you can do to conquer this fear is to immerse yourself in upskilling and reskilling opportunities, particularly within AI and technology. Employers view employees with AI skills as high-value assets, therefore being proactive about training yourself—even through short free courses such as those offered by Google and Coursera—can help you future-proof your career.
"Over 80% of employers report they understand what AI can do for their organization," shares DeVry University of their findings, while "75% of workers report they understand what AI can do for them at work. However, despite the reported high level of understanding, 42% of employers say they are not confident that their organization understands how to effectively train workers on AI."
It's not good enough to know that training is necessary, or to be aware of the positive benefits of artificial intelligence in the workplace. Nearly half of employers do not know how to effectively train workers in AI—and this has been the case for some time now, even though we are almost two years since ChatGPT became popularized.
This aspect of AI implementation remains a mystery, at least for now.
But until this problem is solved, it's important to learn as much as you can and invest in your own AI upskilling journey. This will ensure you are able to add more value to your job and will significantly enhance your earning potential.
So the AI issue is no longer a question of, Will AI take away my job? The question to be decided now is, How will AI affect my job, and what steps can I take to ensure I reap the positive benefits of AI in my career?
