The term Artificial Intelligence (AI) evokes a lot of feelings and thoughts in people’s minds. A commonly held notion about AI that is regularly argued is that "AI will steal our jobs". It is a fear that appears to be around the corner and unavoidable. Just look at industries like manufacturing, where the robots have already seized the assembly lines, it is difficult to deny this notion. However, the history of the development of technology has always demonstrated that with the emergence of new technologies and their application in the production process, new employment opportunities are created for people. The Industrial Revolution threw out of work many people, but it also created new industries and employment that were unimaginable at the time. 

Now let’s turn to the other side of the coin, which is "AI will generate employment". It might sound counterintuitive at first, but consider this: While AI is gradually assuming the roles of repetitive and routine tasks, it leaves us with more challenging and analytical roles. New fields are appearing such as AI ethics and governance, positions that are related to the creation of the AI systems and their use. There is a demand for AI trainers, data scientists, and those who would maintain the systems. It’s like the early days of the Internet that created a whole new category of employment. 

And what about the idea of the so-called AI that is supposed to surpass the human intelligence in the near future? The notion of AI getting to a point where it surpasses human intelligence and is able to outwit us in every aspect is an element of fiction. If we look at AI today, we can see that, although it is good in some aspects, for example, in playing chess or data analysis, it is not as good in other aspects. Of course AI can enhance our abilities, but to surpass the human brain? That remains a speculation theory, which may not come to pass for centuries, if at all. 

Moving to the negatives, there is no doubt that AI systems are very much capable of one thing that humans are also capable of – being biased. AI systems operate based on data; therefore, if the data is skewed in some way, so too will be the AI. We have witnessed this in matters such as hiring algorithms that are inclined to give some groups of people a raw deal and facial recognition systems that have issues with ethnic sensitivity. It is not just a coding problem but a social problem that needs more diverse datasets, better testing, and better documentation of the development processes. AI is just a tool and can reproduce and even magnify the bias if not handled carefully; therefore, this challenge needs to be faced. 

Privacy is another burning issue in the realm of AI. The volume of information that AI can handle and analyze is unimaginable, which means one has to think about privacy issues. From the ability to monitor a user’s activity on the Internet to facial recognition in the streets, AI threatens the right to privacy. However, the situation does not have to remain like this. The tools such as differential privacy and federated learning present some possibilities to maintain the benefits of the AI while preserving privacy. The use of AI also calls for proper regulation and ethical standards that will govern the use of AI while protecting the rights of individuals. 

Here we have the rosy picture of AI in healthcare. This is perhaps one of the most exciting areas where AI can actually make our lives much better. AI can detect diseases from medical images, estimate patient’s prognosis, and optimize treatments. Huge opportunities are presented here, however, it is not without its risks. Ethical issues, data security, and the implementation of AI solutions within the existing healthcare structures are the major challenges. However, if these are managed appropriately, AI could revolutionize diagnostics, treatment, and patient care. 

When we compare and contrast these notions, a better understanding of the situation with AI is obtained. Of course, AI can replace people at work, but it also opens up new possibilities. It may not be as smart as human brain but can easily complement our performance. AI has its problems which include bias and privacy, but it is a game changer in fields such as healthcare. 

AI’s incorporation into several industries is expected to advance at an even faster rate in the future. This implies that the job market will change and that one will have to acquire new skills as well as embrace lifelong learning. Ethical and privacy issues must be considered to develop trust and to make sure that AI will be a net positive. Healthcare is a perfect example of AI’s strengths and weaknesses: the former is the tremendous opportunity that it opens, the latter – the necessity to implement it responsibly and ethically. 

Therefore, AI is a great tool which, if applied properly, can complement human efforts and advance the world. Analyzing the different aspects of AI and exploring its implications, it would be easier to make a right decision on how to incorporate AI into people’s lives, and make it a positive addition to the society and the employment market. As we look at the possibilities of AI, let us be excited and open but at the same time be aware of the risks as well.

For more information, watch: What Will A.I. Mean for the Future of Work?