The future of work is already among us. With the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation in various sectors, the job market is undergoing a major transformation. More and more companies are seeking professionals with a skill set that goes beyond technical skills and makes them more suited to an increasingly digital and complex world
In this reality accompanied by the most advanced technological means, there is no longer a separation between the human side and the digital. That is to say, tools and software gain status as team members, not just mere means to achieve objectives and goals. The trend, from what we have followed, it is increasingly a metamorphosis of functions and responsibilities, in addition to the emergence of teams composed of humans and AI, thus challenging organizational structures and traditional ways of working
Such a scenario leads to many debates around the possible economic challenges of technology for companies and workers. Some say that the economic importance of human labor will lose relevance with the advances of AI, that will take on a greater number of tasks in the coming years. Within this logic, many socioeconomic aspects will be addressed, how the devaluation of skills, the distribution of income and the creation of new economic structures
I do not place myself in this somewhat pessimistic field. We are still far from an AI fully capable of performing important functions, whether in the job market or in life in general. She still produces a lot of misleading content, even with increasingly robust language models. What makes it powerful is its association precisely with the human mind, able to curate and endorse the results produced by this and other technologies. Without the human aspect, we can get rid of a bunch of limited or not very useful tools
To those who, how I, they recognize that the future of work has already arrived, it's worth reinforcing what is coming up. AI or technology will not take anyone's jobs, we must remove this type of logic from the way. However, this new reality around the market demands a new set of skills, it doesn't matter your area of expertise. Therefore, when developing these skills, you will be better prepared to face the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities that the job market offers
There are numbers to help illustrate what I want to say. One in ten professionals hired this year holds a position that did not exist 24 years ago, according to aresearchdo LinkedIn, that mentions functions today common such as Sustainability Manager, AI Engineer, Data Scientist, Social Media Manager and Customer Success Manager, but they were not the best known, contested (or even existing) in 2000
The main companies in the world understand this. A series of CEOs interviewed in aresearchIBM stated that people make and will continue to make all the difference in their business, however, at least 35% of the workforce will need to undergo reskilling and upskilling processes in the next three years – a considerable increase compared to the 6% recorded three years ago. That is to say, it's not just about productivity gains and cost reduction that we're talking about here when we think about AI
Another proof that the future of work – or here perhaps it could also be the work of the future – it is a strategic urgency the lack of qualified professionals in some fields of the economy and business. Because of this, as important as investing in the training of those already in your organization is becoming a "talent magnet", and for that initiatives like trust in leadership, the opportunities for remote and hybrid work, remuneration and actions in favor of careers and diversity appear as relevant
Some studies point to success cases for those who, in the corporate environment, they show themselves willing to be flexible, resilient and capable of transforming. According to areport, almost 30% of listed companies are successful in adopting work models focused on innovation, with cutting-edge technologies and a flexible and distributed workforce. These companies have 30% lower operating expenses, thanks to automation and improved processes, with positive financial gains for 57% of them
Like any change, it can often be uncertain and cause a series of fears. The same LinkedIn survey says that 49% of workers fear falling behind, with 64% stating they are overwhelmed by the speed of changes at work (in Brazil this figure rises to 87%). However, the number of professionals seeking additional courses and qualifications is also on the rise – 79% of Brazilians highlight this search in their areas
AI is rapidly transforming the way we interact with technology and complex problems. As important as the dilemmas regarding its regulation and governance is the meaning of human work, the request that will serve as the cornerstone in this equation that incorporates digital power and basic human values. In this way, skills will remain in demand, as long as there is a willingness to reinvent oneself
