OPINION
TeesTalk
Elon Musk recently made the bold statement that the advance of Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) will mean that eventually no one will have to work .
We asked local business leaders if AI could really make all jobs redundant …
SOPHIE MCKENNA , CAMPAIGN MANAGER , POWER OF WOMEN Elon Musk ’ s vision of AI replacing all work is intriguing , but I believe that certain jobs , particularly those making a positive impact on people ’ s lives , will always require a human touch .
Research indicates that work not only provides income but also a sense of purpose and wellbeing . Professions in healthcare , counselling and the charitable sector rely on human empathy and connection to make a meaningful difference . Personally , I ’ d continue working for the satisfaction of improving lives and contributing to society , even in a world heavily influenced by AI .
CHRIS PETTY , MANAGING DIRECTOR , CORNERSTONE GROUP I wrote about this very theme in Tees Business a few years ago when I raised the question of the Terminator film becoming a reality – were computers taking over the world ? Since then , things have moved on a great deal , with AI and computers learning by their mistakes .
AI is an excellent tool and we use it both in Cornerstone Marketing for writing content and also in Cornerstone Business Solutions to ask for such things as computer prompts . It ’ s a great tool .
To go as far as suggesting no-one will have a job , I can ’ t see AI cooking a Sunday dinner or being a lollipop lady – and , of course , you ’ ll always need someone like Cornerstone to look after the computers !
ANTHONY ANTONIOU , DIRECTOR , IMPERIAL RECRUITMENT GROUP AI has the potential to greatly influence and shape various aspects of our world , but whether it will “ rule ” the world is a complex question . AI technology has already proven to be valuable in many areas , such as healthcare , transportation and finance .
However , it ’ s important to remember that AI is a tool created and controlled by humans . The development and deployment of AI systems are guided by ethical considerations , regulations and human decision-making . While AI can certainly bring about significant changes , it is ultimately up to us , as humans , to ensure its responsible and beneficial use .
DOM LUSARDI , CIO , SEERBI ; CONSULTANT , DIGITAL THINKERS AI may replace most jobs in the future , but I think to say every job is a bit far-fetched . Jobs of the future might not be as we see them now - they could possibly be led by a different value , should that be cultural or community-based .
True creativity doesn ’ t come from rules and statistics , as most AI currently is , but a feeling of emotion and experience . I ’ d like to think it will be symbiotic , creating a more even playing field .
JENNA BAKER , CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER , GB BANK Absolutely AI is an important and exciting development . There ’ s no doubt that incorporating it into working life will positively impact and complement human capabilities in every business sector .
However , there are many things it simply can ’ t and won ’ t replace . For a business to thrive , complex decisions need to be made , not only from an efficiency perspective but based on values , morals and ethics . Success requires empathy , emotional connection and community - qualities that can only be achieved by the joining of human hearts and minds .
SHAK ASGHAR , CEO , LIKE US Personally , I view AI as the ultimate sidekick , so like having my own R2 or Jarvis . For me , it ’ s not about i-robots swiping our gigs – although the Pioneer DJ ’ s sync feature came close ( If you know , you know !) but more like AI is giving us a permanent “ cheat code ” in life .
I ’ m currently cooking up my own AI tool , in what feels like a bedroom DJ turning into a festival legend . It ’ s about getting psyched for the AI jam session , experimenting with things and not worrying about a “ Skynet ” encore . So I say let ’ s ride the AI wave and , hey , if a T-1000 shows up , we ’ ll handle it old school – wits over wires , riding a Harley !
DAMIEN HARRISON , DIRECTOR OF OPERATION , BONDGATE IT The rapid advance of AI has raised concerns about its impact on jobs . While AI is undoubtedly transforming various industries and automating many tasks , it is unlikely to render all jobs obsolete .
Occupations that require human creativity , empathy and critical thinking , such as those in healthcare , education and the arts , will continue to be in high demand . Moreover , AI can augment human capabilities , leading to the creation of new jobs and opportunities .
While I believe AI will significantly reshape the world of work , it will not eliminate the need for human labour altogether . Think of it as the fourth Industrial Revolution .
NIGEL BROADBENT , LEAD PARTNER , TILLY BAILEY & IRVINE AI is a fantastic tool that can and does enhance productivity in lots of ways . But it can ’ t do things that require a “ human touch ”. In my experience , clients ’ needs are rarely so straightforward that they could be properly identified , still less fully met , by a machine scraping the internet for similar-sounding stories .
People deal with people they trust when it counts , because it counts . Software , however sophisticated , is for mechanistic processes . For other things , people will always be needed , I believe .
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