Technology has taken a dramatic leap forward in the last 100 years, taking center stage in every industry. All the people in the world face technological advances: some are more affected by them, while others are confused by technology. Nevertheless, progress is happening almost every day, and the leading player in this field is artificial intelligence. Computer scientists and inventors try to understand this machine and its influence on human life and, more importantly, outline the ethical component and address the central question of human replacement in the labor market by artificial intelligence. This essay will argue that although it is a controversial issue, AI could be implemented positively, allowing the effective cooperation of people and robots.
The rapid approach of Artificial Intelligence, which has always been considered a technology of the distant future, could influence the skilled labor market to a great extent. According to Agrawal et al. (2019), Artificial Intelligence can be described as a computer system capable of executing tasks such as decision-making and prediction. In other words, AI constitutes a machine-based alternative to people’s intelligence and ability to engage in complex cognitive activity. Therefore, it can become a preferable option for employers in comparison with people. These assumptions are consistent with Lu (2021), who reports that the further advancement of AI is expected to increase unemployment in the skilled labor market. Such data can be explained by the fact that AI is primarily intended to solve comprehensive issues and tasks, which are usually in the purview of such workers. For instance, AI is forecast to replace more than 30% of jobs, primarily including such positions as market research analysts, accountants, and auditors (Chelliah, 2017). Therefore, the intelligent machine could pose a threat to the most in-demand employees at the present time.
Additionally, as some workers’ positions in the social sphere are also in danger due to the more individual approach proposed by mechanization, the government should protect the affected segments of the population. Researchers outline a possibility that AI also, to a certain extent, will replace tutors and educators as it can adjust curriculums to each student’s needs (Chelliah, 2017). Under such circumstances, society has to implement specific mechanisms to avoid facing a considerable socio-economic crisis due to the radical changes in the labor market. Therefore, one of the possible solutions developed by researchers is the introduction of basic-income programs and the imposition of taxes on industries utilizing AI (Bruun & Duka, 2018). Such policies will potentially help governments reduce the impact of AI advancements on the economy and lives of people. Hence, the influence of the machine on the labor market at first glance seems to be mostly negative in terms of increasing unemployment and should be balanced by the implementation of restrictive policies.
On the other hand, the very ability of an AI-based system to replace human workers is a matter of heated debate. From one perspective, there are cases of technology taking the place of people, resulting in job shortening. Such a situation has been observed since the end of the 20th century when robots were implemented to work at conveyor belts and other production sites (Borland & Coelli, 2017). Nevertheless, this particular scenario is associated with manual labor, which does not imply intense cognitive activities. Instead, robots handle routine tasks with an unquestionable superiority over weaker human bodies. Moreover, Borland and Coelli (2017) argue that “the pace of structural change and job turnover in the labor market has not accelerated with the increasing application of computer-based technologies” (p. 377). In this regard, it may be possible that the technophobic ideas are exaggerated, and society could benefit from AI implementation.
Another feature of Artificial Intelligence is its capability to perform and outperform many habitual human actions thanks to the unique coding. The coding sets parameters and algorithms that lay the groundwork for functioning, and then the AI builds on them with new ones. It could be valuable as AI makes it possible to avoid human rights violations. For instance, the widespread use of child labor in factories could be replaced by machines, as AI appears to be an effective solution to this problem. Furthermore, intelligent machines can work in all the spheres of people’s life, such as economic activity, politics, or the health care system. That especially attaches great significance to this issue, as everyone can be affected by the implementation of the machine. Although it is complicated to predict the specific impact of the robots, one should not underestimate they can be used for the good of humankind as well.
As artificial intelligence is an entirely new step toward the use of technology, its range of applicability considerably differs from all the previous machines. Making it possible to delegate even complex planning and decision-making tasks to a computer could not cause a job shortage, but in contrast, free people from overworking without reducing their salary due to the outstanding outcomes. Their computing power and the ability to process immense amounts of information may, indeed, help to make data-driven forecasts and decisions. Nevertheless, even a fully developed AI will lack the inherent features of an advanced human mind, the list of which includes emotional intelligence and reflexivity. Jarrahi (2018) suggests that the key to the future is not a competition but symbiosis. Such purely humane actions as support, which lie in the foundation of every work team or are especially applicable to social workers, could not be replaced by robots. Thus, an adequate nexus of artificial and human intelligence may form a synergy that will yield outstanding results in the new age of development.
Overall, the continuous improvements in developing artificial intelligence render this technology closer to reality than to an element of science fiction. The full implementation of this technology will mark a milestone in humanity’s scientific development while profoundly transforming the landscape of most industries. As per its definition, an AI is a computer system that can predict various outcomes, both advantageous and disadvantageous for society. On the one hand, it is expected to cause repercussions for the skilled labor market due to its ability to exercise complex cognitive processes. Thus, a logical question arises of whether the governments should implement limits to it for the sake of people’s protection. With them in place, humanity and AIs can potentially work together on a predictable basis, forming a positive synergy of efficient, data-driven decision-making.
References
Agrawal, A., Gans, J., & Goldfarb, A. (2019). Artificial intelligence: The ambiguous labor market impact of automating prediction. The Journal of Economic Perspectives, 33(2), 31–50.
Borland, J., & Coelli, M. (2017). Are robots taking our jobs? The Australian Economic Review, 50(4), 377–397. Web.
Bruun, E., & Duka, A. (2018). Artificial intelligence, jobs and the future of work: Racing with the machines. Basic Income Studies, 13(2), 1–15. Web.
Chelliah, J. (2017). Will artificial intelligence usurp white collar jobs? Human Resource Management International Digest, 25(3), 1–3. Web.
Jarrahi, M. H. (2018). Artificial intelligence and the future of work: Human-AI symbiosis in organizational decision making. Business Horizons, 61(4), 577–586. Web.
Lu, C. (2021). Artificial intelligence and human jobs. Macroeconomic Dynamics, 25(8), 1–40. Web.