… (+) An overhead view of an unrecognizable creative team collaborating while creating a puzzle light bubble in a casual office.
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In the rapidly evolving world of work, there is a lot of discussion and theorizing about which jobs could be replaced by generative AI. While many people are focused on this threat, there are two additional burning questions. First, which roles are least susceptible to disruption from AI? And second, which roles will need to evolve in this new era of work, regardless of the impact of AI?
We are in an era where companies are increasingly thinking about the mix of skills they need, the roles within their organizations to deliver their strategy, and the external support they need. A new report from Indeed’s Recruitment Lab sheds light on the skills and roles employers are looking for in today’s market. Consultants and freelancers will continue to be the go-to resource when it comes to external support needed to bridge the gap, but they too will need to evolve their skills.
First, let’s take a look at the impact AI will have on the talent market. It is also true that there are some jobs that cannot be easily replaced by AI. Jack Kennedy, Indeed’s senior economist, said: “We evaluated all the different skills listed on Indeed’s job listings and found that the jobs least affected by AI replacement include driving, caregiving, empathetic skills and parenting. It’s a job that requires hands-on work.” Human touch, whether physical or emotional, still seems to be something that AI cannot easily replicate.
The flip side, of course, is that many jobs are susceptible to disruption by AI. “If you look at what tasks are in the job market, there are a wide range of tasks that AI could potentially replace or augment,” Kennedy said. . “In some cases you can be more productive, and in others you can completely take over tasks. But still, there are other parts of the role that can’t be replaced. I think it’s going to change the nature of a lot of work.” It’s still early days. Interestingly, many of the categories in which AI-related terms are prevalent are increasing in the professional field, albeit in stages. Job postings in research and development, media and communications, marketing, art, banking, architecture, and more incorporate this Gen-AI representation. ”
However, despite all the hype around AI, only 2-3% of job listings on Indeed contain AI-related terms. “Despite all the attention to AI, many employers are still focused on basic computer literacy,” says Kennedy. “The pool of candidates with advanced AI technical skills is still very limited. We are still in the early stages.” Dan French, CEO of Simply Solutions, agrees. “What we have to remember about the current AI boom is that AI has been around for decades. What has gotten people excited over the past 18 months is that Generative AI is a special niche field, and I think there’s a lot more progress in generative AI than people claim. ”
Companies continue to rely on freelancers and consultants when it comes to seeking external resources for support. There is a lot of discussion about freelancers and the gig economy, but no one is talking about how the role of consultants is also due for a fundamental rethink. “Traditionally, there are two business reasons why people use consultants,” French says. “New management comes in, or a big business problem arises, and management wants to have some breathing time and hires McKinsey. They care little about what the solution is. I just have six months to think about what to do next. ”
Companies are now looking for true partners and extracting more value from their consultants. “I think companies want a true diagnosis of their business problems, but they no longer want to outsource their problems. They want to know the answers themselves. It takes a collaborative partnership. No,” French says. Additionally, consultants need to provide more value if they want to stay in the industry. “I talk to management every week, and they say, ‘We just hired XYZ Company at a cost of 12 million, but all we received was all the reports we told them. And there was nothing more. We could have used the generated AI for the following purposes,” says the Frenchman.
As we navigate this era of change, employers are becoming more creative in how they get work done, including rethinking roles, accurately assessing the skills their business needs, and strategically leveraging external support. It is necessary to demonstrate. Employees need to consider how they can future-proof their careers. The question for today’s workers is not just “Will AI take my job?” Rather, ask, “How can I reimagine my role?” Now is the time to focus on developing skills that AI cannot duplicate, such as empathy, practical expertise, collaboration, and the ability to think creatively.
