As I was sitting in my office, surrounded by machines and systems, that soon will be operating automatically. I couldn’t help but wonder if jobs are at risk of being taken over by machines.
It’s a common fear these days, with all the talk about AI and automation replacing jobs. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that AI can never replace the importance of people in certain roles.
Empathy
One of the reasons why people will always be important in certain jobs is because of empathy.
Sure, machines can learn how to recognize emotions and respond in certain ways, but they will never truly understand what it means to feel.
Empathy is what allows us to connect with others on a deeper level, to understand their struggles and pain, and to offer them comfort and support. This is something that no machine can replicate.
Decision making
Another reason why people are irreplaceable in certain roles is because of our ability to make real-time decisions without historical data.
AI systems rely heavily on past data to make decisions, and they struggle when they encounter new situations that they haven’t seen before. Example: Covid.
Humans, on the other hand, are capable of thinking on their feet and making quick decisions based on instinct and intuition. We have the ability to improvise and adapt, even when we’re faced with unexpected challenges.
Having fun
But perhaps the most important reason why people will always be important in certain jobs is because of fun. Yes, you read that right – fun.
Machines may be capable of performing repetitive tasks quickly and efficiently, but they can never truly enjoy the work they’re doing. You cannot enjoy watching football or cricket match with a robot.
Humans, on the other hand, are capable of finding joy and fulfilment in their work, even when it’s difficult or tedious.
This passion and enthusiasm is what allows us to push through challenges and come up with creative solutions to problems.
Of course, this is not to say that AI doesn’t have its place in the workforce.
There are certain tasks and roles where machines are better suited than humans, such as data analysis or manufacturing. But when it comes to jobs that require empathy, emotions, real-time decision making without historical data, and fun, people will always be essential.
So the next time you hear someone say that AI is going to replace human workers, remember that there are certain things that machines can never do.
As long as we continue to cultivate our unique skills and abilities, we will always have a place in the workforce, no matter how advanced the technology gets.
Summary
AI is not your friend or an enemy. It is just an extension of your mindset.
Everything comes down to your mindset, how you perceive the world, how you want to transform your life and world around you. So it is more about how you utilise resources at your disposal to positively impact your environment.
Having said that we can certainly get benefited by learning to work with AI. When you learned to drive a car your legs didn’t lose its importance. Without getting rid of your legs you are now faster on the roads.
Similarly, you should not fear AI but instead try to use it to improve productivity and efficiency in life so that you can have more time achieving peace of mind and free time to spend with friends and family doing things that create memories.
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