DELA GENTE, REGIN MAE, R.

BSED-SOCIAL STUDIES/1A

“The impact of artificial intelligence on employment and job security”

Artificial intelligence (AI) stands at the forefront of technological innovation,

reshaping industries, economies, and the very nature of work itself. As AI continues to
advance at an unprecedented pace, its impact on employment and job security has
become a topic of intense scrutiny and debate. The integration of AI technologies into
the workforce has the potential to revolutionize productivity, create new job
opportunities, and drive economic growth.

In the present time, humans are using artificial intelligence (AI) for a wider range
of reasons. We now have “Siri”, which can easily take commands and perform tasks just
by a voice command, disease-diagnosing systems, and robots that can nearly replace
doctors. People and particular business industries prefer to use artificial intelligence (AI)
since it outperforms human intellect in terms of performance, is error-free, doesn't need
food or sleep, and has infinite work hours. Due to such innovations, the question of
whether robots or automated programs will someday replace human workers emerges
as more and more areas of life become computerized. The integration of AI
technologies also brings forth a range of negative impacts that can significantly affect
employees, organizations, and the broader societal landscape. Some experts like Brady
(2018) stated that, “AI can replace people in jobs”.

Although it cannot be argued that artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, such as

machine learning algorithms and natural language processing, have enabled
automation of repetitive tasks, data analysis, and decision-making processes in the
workplace. By streamlining workflows and reducing manual labor, AI enhances
efficiency and productivity across various industries. For example, AI-powered chatbots
can handle customer inquiries, freeing up human agents to focus on more complex
issues, leading to improved customer service and operational efficiency.

However, the rise of AI is the potential displacement of human workers by

automated systems and intelligent machines. Studies have shown that AI and
automation have the potential to automate a significant portion of existing jobs,
particularly those involving routine, repetitive tasks (Frey & Osborne, 2017). This could
lead to widespread job losses, particularly in industries such as manufacturing,
transportation, and administrative work. Moreover, according to a study by the
McKinsey Global Institute, up to 375 million workers worldwide may need to switch
occupational categories by 2030 due to automation and AI technologies (Manyika et al.,
2017). This rapid transformation of the job market poses challenges for workers,
particularly those in low-skilled roles, who may struggle to adapt to the evolving skill
requirements demanded by AI-driven workplaces.

With the unprecedented spread and limitless capacity of Artificial intelligence (AI)
and related technologies, it also has the potential to create new opportunities and
breakthroughs that none has never been thought about or imagined yet in fields such
as data analysis, machine learning, and software development, which will be beneficial
for humans (Acemoglu & Restrepo, 2018).

But, the increasing reliance on AI technologies in the workplace also raises

concerns about the erosion of human creativity and autonomy. As AI systems take on
more tasks and decision-making responsibilities, there is a risk of diminishing the role of
human workers in critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation. This shift towards
automation can limit opportunities for human-centered approaches to work, potentially
stifling creativity and innovation among employees. Additionally, the overreliance on AI
for decision-making may lead to a loss of autonomy and agency for workers, reducing
their sense of control and engagement in the workplace.

Another positive impact of AI in the workplace is its ability to improve

decision-making and predictive analytics. AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of
data and identify patterns and insights that human analysts may overlook (Volet, 2023).
This analytical prowess enables organizations to make more informed, data-driven
decisions, leading to better business outcomes. For example, retailers can use AI to
analyze consumer buying patterns and recommend personalized products and services
(Volet, 2023).

Nevertheless, AI systems are not immune to bias, as they are trained on historical
data that may reflect societal prejudices and inequalities. Thus, this might pave a way
for the occurrence of some conflict in terms of ethical considerations surrounding the
deployment of AI in the workplace are another significant negative impact. AI systems
are not immune to bias, as they are trained on historical data that may reflect societal
prejudices and inequalities. This can result in discriminatory outcomes in areas such as
recruitment, performance evaluation, and decision-making processes. For example, a
study by Buolamwini and Gebru (2018) found that facial recognition systems exhibited
higher error rates for darker-skinned individuals, highlighting the potential for bias in AI
algorithms. Such biases can perpetuate existing inequalities and undermine efforts
towards diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

The impact of AI on employment and job security is a complex and multifaceted

issue. Indeed, AI technologies offer significant benefits in terms of automation and
efficiency, their negative impacts on the workplace cannot be ignored. From job
displacement and skills obsolescence to ethical concerns and the erosion of human
creativity and autonomy, the integration of AI poses challenges that require careful
consideration and strategic management. To address the negative impacts of AI in the
workplace, organizations must take proactive measures to ensure ethical AI
deployment, promote transparency and accountability in AI systems, and invest in
upskilling initiatives for employees. By fostering a culture of responsible AI usage,
organizations can mitigate the risks associated with job displacement, bias, and the
erosion of human creativity and create a more sustainable and inclusive environment for
employees and society as a whole. Together, let us cultivate a world where humanity
and technology meet halfways for to provide better opportunities for all.

References:

Acemoglu, D., & Restrepo, P. (2018). “The race between man and machine:
Implications of technology for growth, factor shares, and employment”. American
Economic Review, 108(6), 1488-1542.

Brynjolfsson, E., & McAfee, A. (2014).” The second machine age: Work, progress, and
prosperity in a time of brilliant technologies”.W. W. Norton & Company.

Buolamwini, J., & Gebru, T. (2018).” Gender shades: Intersectional accuracy disparities
in commercial gender classification”. Proceedings of the 1st Conference on Fairness,
Accountability and Transparency.

Frey, C. B., & Osborne, M. A. (2017). “The future of employment: How susceptible are
jobs to computerisation? Technological Forecasting and Social Change”, 114, 254-280.

Manyika, J., et al., (2017). “A future that works: Automation, employment, and
productivity”. McKinsey Global Institute.