Robbie Hiser, a music producer, believes there will always be room for creatives like him, even after he taught artificial intelligence (AI) some of his industry skills. Hiser worked with Mercor, a company that improves AI models such as ChatGPT, covering topics from finance to poetry. Mercor employs over 100,000 freelancers across various industries to impart their expertise to AI. Despite this, Hiser and other trainers feel they are not automating themselves out of work. Creative endeavors like songwriting, according to Hiser, require a distinctly human touch.
Data supports this anxiety among Americans: a Pew Research study reveals that almost 75% fear AI may disrupt their jobs. A McKinsey Global Institute report suggests that by 2035, AI could push 11 million U.S. workers to new careers.
Changing Work Environment
Brendan Foody, CEO of Mercor, views AI-induced changes as natural progression. He says AI will handle monotonous tasks, allowing people to focus on more meaningful work. This change is noticeable nationally. For example, Columbus, Ohio law firm Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease collaborated with Stanford University’s Liftlab to create AI personas that reflect senior lawyers’ experiences and philosophies. Although these personas assist, they do not replace, stated partner Kim Herlihy.
Herlihy emphasizes AI’s role is to enhance, not replace. Clients still require personalized advice from human lawyers.
Job Prospects in AI
AI training ranks as the fourth-fastest-growing job category on LinkedIn. At Mercor, freelancers earn between $20 and $200 an hour. Foody considers this a future career path, but Nobel Prize-winning economist Daron Acemoglu warns against potential negative impacts. Acemoglu notes rapid automation may displace workers if left unchecked.
Acemoglu envisions a scenario with greatly increased unemployment unless deliberate actions are taken. While AI offers new job opportunities, it employs relatively few compared to those displaced. Automation, according to Acemoglu, inherently reduces the need for human workers.
Effects on Employment
Research indicates stable unemployment currently, but AI-exposed roles, particularly among young professionals like software developers, face challenges. U.S. Census data reveals declining job offers and wages for graduates in AI-prone fields. Clara Shih, formerly with Salesforce and Meta’s AI sectors, observed similar trends in product development.
Alarmed, Shih founded a nonprofit to help young professionals adapt. She remains concerned about AI’s broader implications beyond employment, affecting self-worth and community cohesion.
Addressing AI Concerns
Shih draws parallels between today’s technological shifts and past industrial disruptions. Open dialogue about AI risks is vital, she asserts. While acknowledging the potential benefits of AI, Acemoglu stresses the importance of proactive measures to prevent mass unemployment. Designing AI to complement human workers and potential tax incentives for employing humans are possible solutions.
This dialogue about AI’s future is crucial, given its uncertain yet significant influence on present and future job markets.
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