Myth Vs. Truth: So Will AI Eventually Wipe Out All Jobs?
The doomsayers love big numbers. Anything to go viral these days. To be relevant.
Away from TikTok influencers spewing AI prophecy, what do the big boys say?
Reports from consultancies and banks warn that hundreds of millions of jobs could be“ affected” or“ automated.” The International Monetary Fund estimated that 300 million full‐time jobs globally could be affected by AI automation but clarified that most will undergo task‐level transformation initially rather than disappear altogether.
On the other hand, the World Economic Forum projects 83 million jobs lost and 69 million created by 2027 and yet, these same reports emphasise that firms expect to adopt AI and to create new roles in AI development, data analysis and cybersecurity. Yin and Yang?
Perhaps the real concern is not lack of jobs due to AI but lack of relevant skills if one is not willing to learn more AI relevant stuff? Perhaps THAT is the main issue.
These case studies illustrate the nuance. Back in the day jobs tied to now‐obsolete technologies disappeared; photographic process worker employment fell drastically as digital cameras took their space, yet other roles, like software developers exploded and became the driving force of business and government alike. Why? Adaptation. And this is an example of a job sector that will grow even more with AI since AI helps developers write and test code faster, which can lower costs and increase demand for software.
Here is the thing: panic about job loss often overlooks the difference between tasks and jobs.
As regards AI and human tasks, the IMF opined that present-day work can be broken into three categories: automatable tasks( routine, rule‐based work), augmentable tasks( requiring judgement) and unaffected tasks.
The moral of the story is AI may automate pieces of your job, but the human role evolves. Think of ATMs: they automated cash dispensing but led to more bank branches and different responsibilities for tellers.
Now Some Actionable Steps To Stay Relevant In An AI World
Treat AI as a tool, not a threat. Don ' t just sit back and resist beneficial change. Learn to use AI for drafting, brainstorming, analysing data or automating routine tasks. Let the machine handle the drudgery so you can focus on higher‐value work.
Invest in these uniquely human skills: Strengthen your abilities in critical thinking, creativity, empathy, communication and leadership. These skills are in short supply and hard to automate.
Stay curious and keep learning. Technology evolves quickly. Take courses on data literacy, prompt engineering or AI ethics. Read reports and attend webinars. As AI changes tasks, new opportunities emerge.
Build interdisciplinary knowledge. Combine expertise in your domain with basic understanding of AI and data. A marketer who understands AI analytics or a doctor who can interpret AI‐generated insights will be more valuable than the one who doesn ' t.
Focus on outcomes, not tasks. Ask yourself: what problem am I solving for my client or employer? Use AI to achieve better outcomes, not to simply reproduce the same processes.
Nurture your network. Relationships open doors. People hire people they know and trust. AI can’ t replace a genuine human connection.
Whither To? Keep Calm And Carry On( With AI)
Will AI take every job? No. Will it change your job? Almost certainly.
The evidence shows that AI adoption is rapid and uneven, but job impacts unfold slowly and vary by task and occupation. Some roles will shrink or vanish; others will grow. Many will evolve.
Your future depends less on the algorithm and more on your adaptability. Embrace the tools, sharpen your human edge, and you’ ll not only keep your job- you’ ll make it much more interesting.
Jan Okonji is the founder, Business Growth Solutions and an entrepreneur with a passion for turning ideas into profitable businesses. He can be contacted for business support services and advice here, or through his email at: Info @ bizgrowth. club, or website: www. bizgrowth. club.