Being a senior in college, or anybody on the brink of starting their professional careers, can be a tough place to lie. The advancements of artificial intelligence (AI) have created a blurry future shaped by dark technology.
From the standpoint of a business owner or a rich CEO, AI in the workplace is a beautiful thing; fewer people to pay and less management over human error. Any normal human being would see those circumstances and wonder: Well, who the heck is going to be able to work? The job market has shifted because of these implementations, and who knows if we can turn back.
Even if you are currently employed or feel that your career will remain unaffected by AI, there is still room to worry. Certain tools and programs use AI and will be used by humans for jobs. Even in a field where it should not affect people, the AI seemingly just creeps its way back in.
Even hiring processes for humans now use AI. An article from the Harvard Gazette says, “management consulting firm Accenture says 52 percent of top executives expect AI to increase entry-level hiring, not decrease it.” Now, I do not think we should go around trusting top executives, but if there is a change of pace of hiring at companies solely due to AI, I am not sure I can be extremely upset at that. The golden question then arises, as it does with any AI-related job: “What can this do better than the old way of hiring?” That is still yet to pan out for hiring in particular, but for all of the jobs that AI has or will take over, that hiring boost does not seem so amazing.
There also appears to be a weird situation with Gen Z and AI. We are told to not use it in school most of the time, while also fearing its environmentally damaging system, while also being told we have to be proficient with AI because it will certainly be in our profession. If AI is going to be a prevalent practice in our future careers, then there should be more of a push for college students to have literacy. There should also be a clear-cut approach towards the environmental impact. If a company is using AI, then that company should be straightforward regarding the environmental consequences of its actions.
Those approaching today’s job market should be knowledgeable about how AI will affect them, whether that is in the hiring process, a tool or system they will have to use or the unfortunate possibility of the job they want not existing. People do not need to be as pessimistic about the change. Think of how the world reacted to the internet, social media and countless other massive steps forward for mankind. Those all scared people into oblivion, too; it is just about how we adapt and correct our errors.
Jacob Enscoe can be contacted at
jenscoe@kscequinox.com
