We all are now aware of AI, or Artificial Intelligence. We have heard people saying AI will be replacing human beings. Amid these topics and matters of concern, a new problem is emerging: Generative AI. Every company is talking about it. What is Generative AI, and how is it different from existing AI? Today, we will be covering all these topics and answering what the impact of Generative-AI will be on the future of jobs.
Generative AI, or Generative Artificial Intelligence or Gen AI, is a part of existing AI that is capable of creating new content and information from the data present. Generative AI uses advanced models and is capable of producing outputs generated using complex algorithms. These outputs can be in the form of images, text, videos, and even audio.
Let’s understand about what actually Generative-AI and what will be the most significant impact of generative AI is.
What is Generative AI?
Artificial intelligence is intelligent enough to make predictions and take decisions based on the data present. However, Gene AI has expanded AI’s capabilities by generating new content using the existing data (just like the human brain).
Imagine Gen AI as a newborn child who, after hearing many words from their parents, starts speaking and even creating new sentences. Similarly, Generative AI can produce new paintings, music, stories, videos, images, and more by learning from existing data.
There are many algorithms in Generative AI, but we’ll tell you about some of the popular ones. One of them is so popular that even a kid knows about it nowadays. These algorithms include transformers and GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks). We have all witnessed and used these algorithms at least once in our lives. Remember using ChatGPT for writing a resume or essay? The GPT in ChatGPT stands for Generative Pre-Trained Transformers. Another example of GANs is a popular website named “This Person Does Not Exist.” This amazing website creates highly realistic images of people who do not actually exist.
Unlike traditional AI, which typically performs tasks such as classification or prediction based on existing data, generative AI uses advanced models, such as Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) or Transformer-based architectures like GPT-4, to produce novel outputs. These outputs can include text, images, music, and more, generated through complex algorithms that learn from vast amounts of information. Gen AI essentially simulates creativity by learning the underlying features of its training data and then using this knowledge to generate new, original content that adheres to the learned patterns.
Understanding Generative AI vs. AI
Till now, we hope you understand what Generative AI is. Before discussing the impact of Generative AI on jobs, it is important to know the difference between AI and Generative AI. Many people get confused between the two.
| Aspects | Artificial Intelligence (AI) | Generative AI |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A vast field that intents to mimic human intelligence. | Part of AI and focused on content generation. |
| Purpose | Mixture of vast variety of technologies for process like data mining, data cleaning, analysis and language understanding. | Task oriented, focused on generating task specific contents like audio, images etc. |
| Technologies | – Machine Learning: Analyzes data to make predictions. – Natural Language Processing (NLP): Understands and generates human language. – Robotics: Performs physical tasks. | – Trained models like transformer, GANs to make new content. |
| Examples | – Predictive analytics (Weather Apps) – Virtual assistants (Siri, Alexa) – Autonomous vehicles (Tesla) | – GPT-4: Generates text – DALL-E: Creates images from text descriptions |
| Functionality | – Classifies the data – Recognizes the patterns – Makes predictions / decisions | – Produces new and unique content |
| Training Data | Mostly trained on structured data or labeled examples. | Trained on vast datasets to learn patterns and generate new content. |
Direct Impact of Generative AI on Jobs
1. Automation of Routine Task
One of the direct and major impacts of generative AI will be seen on routine-based tasks. With the rise of generative AI, many jobs requiring routine work will be affected, such as data entry jobs, content generation, and talent acquisition. Today, generative AI is not yet fully capable of replacing humans, but soon, with improvements, it will require less human intervention.
2. Enhanced Creativity
With the use of AI and generative AI tools, one can generate new ideas and innovative solutions. These tools can greatly assist humans and enhance their creativity. By using such tools, humans will become more efficient while being creative and innovative.
The most powerful impact is on the research field. Humans no longer need to explore many sites; they can use generative AI to collect all the resources in a single place. From assisting scientists in their research work to being useful in the fashion industry by identifying trends and creating innovative apparel, generative AI has broad applications. It can be used by engineers, novelists, teachers, and even musicians to generate new content and enhance creativity.
3. Change in Skill Requirements (Not only in Jobs)
With the rise of generative AI, there will be a significant shift in skill sets. People will be required to learn how to use these AI and generative AI tools, with a focus on acquiring skills that complement these technologies.
By using these tools, many time-consuming tasks will be automated, making soft skills like emotional intelligence, problem-solving, and critical thinking more valuable. These tools can generate content, but a human touch is still required.
Let’s take an example: many of the posts on social media platforms and search engines are AI-generated, but the content is still made for human beings and requires a human touch. Machine-generated content is often identifiable and mostly similar, but human-generated content will be different every time. Painters, artists, and anyone who can think outside the box cannot be replaced by generative AI.
4. Job Losses
It’s inevitable and a fact that many jobs that are highly repetitive in nature will soon be replaced by AI. Some job roles, like data entry clerks and content creators, will be affected by the rise of generative AI.
But if someone is upskilling themselves on a regular basis, they are less likely to lose their jobs. It is important to address the concerning issue of job losses due to the rise of AI. Educational institutes, governments, and companies must invest in reskilling and teaching people to normalize the use of AI. Companies shouldn’t simply fire their employees; instead, they can provide alternative job roles and opportunities that generative AI will create. There are multiple solutions to this concern, but one of the most important is reskilling.
5. Creation of New Job Roles
As mentioned above, it is an unavoidable situation, and yes, many people are going to lose their jobs. However, only those who do not upskill themselves are at risk. Those who are not using AI and AI tools are more vulnerable to losing their jobs compared to those who have already upskilled and learned to use these tools.
There are many new job roles and opportunities that the rise of artificial intelligence will create. Creative industries, including design, entertainment, and media, will witness a surge in job opportunities with the use of generative AI. People need not fear losing their jobs; instead, there are many resources available to learn how to use generative AI tools and AI tools in their daily lives. They should explore these tools and learn to use them.
Summary
In summary, it is clear that generative AI, the rise of AI, and AGI will bring significant changes to the job market. However, instead of fearing job loss, people should start learning these tools. While tiring and boring routine-based jobs may disappear, new job roles will also emerge. Data Entry task can also be done using AI. We have suggested some tools and way to automate you data entry task.
The situation will be difficult for those who are rigid and do not adapt to change. By upskilling, learning the relevant use of AI tools, and gaining knowledge about these tools, individuals can enhance their creativity and open new doors in their careers. Technology is meant to help people, not replace them. Adapt and learn skills as much as possible.
For more information on generative AI and its impact on the job market, check out the sources mentioned, as some of the references have been taken from these articles. You can learn more about AI tools and automation by reading our articles dedicated to AI tools and tools to automate your business.
Reference list:
- Bloomberg. “Generative AI Is Replacing Remote Work in the Future of Work Debate.” Bloomberg, 25 Sept. 2023, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-25/generative-ai-is-replacing-remote-work-in-the-future-of-work-debate.
- Daly, Mary. “The Impact of AI on Work: An Interview with Mary Daly.” Wired, 20 Sept. 2023, https://www.wired.com/story/ai-impact-on-work-mary-daly-interview/.
- Deloitte. “Generative AI and the Future of Work.” Deloitte, 2024, https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/consulting/articles/generative-ai-and-the-future-of-work.html.
- KPMG. “KPMG Generative AI Workforce Survey.” KPMG, 2024, https://kpmg.com/us/en/media/news/kpmg-genai-workforce-survey.html.
- Marr, Bernard. “Generative AI and the Future of Jobs.” Forbes, 4 Jan. 2024, https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2024/01/04/generative-ai-and-the-future-of-jobs/.
- McKinsey & Company. “Generative AI: How Will It Affect Future Jobs and Workflows?” McKinsey & Company, 2024, https://www.mckinsey.com/mgi/our-research/generative-ai-how-will-it-affect-future-jobs-and-workflows.
- University of St. Thomas. “Generative AI’s Real-World Impact on Job Markets.” University of St. Thomas News, 2024, https://news.stthomas.edu/generative-ais-real-world-impact-on-job-markets/#:~:text=Furthermore%2C%20a%20Forrester%20projection%20indicates,6.9%25%20or%2011.08%20million%20jobs.
- World Economic Forum. “How to Harness the Power of Generative AI for Better Jobs.” World Economic Forum, 25 Sept. 2023, https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/09/how-to-harness-the-power-of-generative-ai-for-better-jobs/.