The Dual Edge of AI: Understanding Its Role in Shaping Work Dynamics for Better or Worse

Remember when artificial intelligence was just a concept of the future? Well, those days passed away really quickly because AI is the new reality we are currently trying to coexist with in our day-to-day lives. AI has become a horrifying yet glorified reality of today’s professional world. Over 60% of the work population lives with continuous worries of AI taking over their job, leaving them unemployed in this constantly evolving job market. In this blog, we’ll observe the dual edge of AI in the modern workplace, its impact, and how to advance oneself in this fast-paced, AI-dominant world.

Is AI already impacting job growth?

According to a recent study conducted by JPMorgan, an American multinational finance firm, these are some pivotal and notable observations in the recent job market:

  • Graduate unemployment reached its highest in the past four years, with an overall percentage of 5.8%. This shows the relevant changes in the market due to the arrival of AI.
  • Subjects and fields like engineering, computer science, and architecture witnessed a drop in the openings & employment, all thanks to the grace of artificial intelligence.
  • The ones that feel the most of this AI heat are the ones in creative jobs. AI tools and their usage in the corporate sector led to a huge cut in the jobs for graphic designers and writers.
  • Even the tech saviours like cloud, web search, and computer systems also faced the wrath of ChatGPT and artificial intelligence.

AI’s dominance in the growing economy

AI didn’t just captivate the corporate sectors; its existence can be witnessed in the economic sector as well. Globally, PwC predicted in 2017 that AI could boost GDP by 14% by 2030, and India is already moving in that direction. Since NITI Aayog’s first national AI project in 2018, AI has shifted from being futuristic to being central to economic planning. Today, it’s transforming agriculture, healthcare, education, and skilling, while major industries like BFSI (68%), IT (60%), healthcare (52%), and retail (43%) are leading adoption.

Upsides of AI:

  • Increased Productivity: With the emergence of AI, productivity in every field of work has increased to a great extent.
  • Increased Accuracy: With AI, accuracy related to work has been enhanced sufficiently, as it gives answers with better surety than humans.
  • Less Burden On Humans: With AI the load of work on humans has decreased to a great extent, as one can do the task in ¼ of the time, minimising cost and maximising efficiency.

Downsides of AI-

  • Job Displacements: AI does the job in much less time than humans, leading to job displacements.
  • Creating Economic Divides: AI is concentrating power with big corporations that can afford advanced systems, while small businesses struggle with limited access and rising losses.

Will AI actually take your job or create new opportunities for you?

AI is not just replacing jobs. It is creating them too.

  • 92 million jobs lost by 2030
  • 170 million jobs created (World Economic Forum)

What does this mean? Some roles are fading, but new ones are opening for those who adapt. These are some relevant skills in demand even after AI’s dominance:

  • Digital literacy
  • Cloud computing
  • Prompt engineering
  • Critical thinking

AI-related jobs offer better perks, being twice as likely to provide parental leave and three times as likely to allow remote work. History proves the trend. From steam engines to electricity, every big shift disrupted old jobs before building stronger economies. AI is on the same track. AI will not end work; it will redefine it.

Careers that will still stay relevant:

Professions are rapidly evolving as AI and automation take over many roles. Yet, some careers will still stay relevant even after AI revolutionises the entire professional world.

  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning - Driving automation and combining it with problem-solving, AI experts will be in heavy demand.
  • Data Science and Analytics - Businesses will rely on experts who can turn data into actionable insights, and hence, a major boom in this sector is imminent.
  • Mental Health and Wellbeing Professionals - Psychologists, therapists, and counsellors address the emotional needs that technologies simply can't. Therefore, well-being professionals won't get disrupted by the impact of AI.

Essential upskilling and reskilling to become relevant:

The workplace is evolving faster than ever, making upskilling and reskilling survival strategies. Some skills can make upskill your potential, making you tough to replace:

  • AI & Machine Learning Collaboration - working effectively with AI tools.
  • Data Literacy & Analytics - interpreting and using data for decisions.
  • Digital Literacy - comfort with digital platforms, tools, and automation.
  • Cybersecurity Awareness - understanding risks and protecting digital assets.
  • Cloud Computing Basics - familiarity with cloud platforms and services.
  • Software & Coding Knowledge - even basic coding (Python, SQL, R).

CONCLUSION

AI has become one of the most debated topics of our time, often described as a friend or foe, an enabler or disabler. This dual nature captures the essence of the debate, but the real challenge doesn’t lie in the technology itself; it lies in how we choose to interact with it. AI is a tool that can act as a friend, supporting rather than replacing us, and with the right approach, it becomes a powerful enabler. While AI can never replicate the depth of human intuition, creativity, and emotional intelligence, it can complement these uniquely human strengths. Ultimately, the choice is ours: resist and risk being displaced, or adapt and use AI as a strong partner in building success.