Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the world of work in ways not seen ever before. From chatbots to self-driving cars.
AI is replacing jobs that were once done by humans.
While this can bring many benefits, such as increased productivity | efficiency | and innovation.
A large number of workers are facing displacement or reduced income.
According to a report by the World Economic Forum, by 2025, 85 million jobs may be displaced by machines across 15 industries and 26 economies.
Here is a list of 5 jobs that AI threatens to replace and alternatives to these jobs.
1. Telemarketers
Telemarketers sell products or services over the phone using guidelines. They often face rejection, frustration, and low customer satisfaction.
This job may disappear because:
- AI is more advanced and makes few mistakes
- Capable of generating human-like conversations.
AI can understand customer data and behaviour to give personalised offers and responses.
Some examples of AI-powered telemarketing tools are Dialpad, Conversica, and Cogito.
Alternative Career: Customer Service Representative
Customer service representatives interact with customers to assist, handle complaints, and process orders.
They may use many channels, such as phone, email, chat, or social media.
Customer service is a job that requires more empathy, creativity, and problem-solving skills than telemarketing. Therefore, replacing it is still hard.
However, customer service representatives may also need to use AI tools to improve their performance and efficiency.
Some examples of AI-powered customer service tools are Zendesk, Salesforce, and RulAI.
2. Data entry clerks
Data entry clerks input data into a computer system from various sources, such as forms, documents, or records. They may also verify, update, or correct the data as needed.
Data entry is a job that is highly repetitive, tedious, and prone to errors.
Now AI is more accurate at extracting and processing data. This is due to improved Technologies like:
- Optical character recognition (OCR),
- Natural language processing (NLP)
- Machine learning (ML)
Some examples of AI-powered data entry tools are Rossum, Docsumo, and Nanonets.
Alternate Career: Data analyst
Data analysts collect, organize, analyze, and interpret data to provide insights and recommendations for decision-making. They may use various tools and techniques, such as:
Spreadsheets | Databases | Statistics | Visualization | programming languages.
Data analysis is a job that requires more analytical, critical, and creative thinking skills than data entry.
This makes it less likely to be automated.
However, data analysts may also need to use AI tools to improve their capabilities and speed up their processes.
Some examples of AI-powered data analysis tools are Tableau, Power BI, and Google Cloud AI Platform.
3. Cashiers
Cashiers handle transactions at retail stores, restaurants, or other businesses.
They usually scan items, receive payments, issue receipts, or provide change.
Cashiers are one of the jobs that may disappear due to:
Self-checkout machines | Mobile payments | Online shopping becoming easier.
AI can also enhance customer experience by offering personalised recommendations, coupons, or loyalty programs.
Some examples of AI-powered cashier-less technologies are Amazon Go, Standard Cognition, and Zippin.
Alternative Career: Retail sales associate
Retail sales associates assist customers in finding and purchasing products at physical stores.
They may provide product information, demonstrate features, offer suggestions, or handle returns.
Retail sales is a job that requires more interpersonal, communication, and persuasion skills than cashiering.
However, retail sales associates may also need to use AI tools to improve their product knowledge, customer service, and sales performance.
AI-powered retail sales tools are Perch Interactive, Foko Retail, and Sentient Aware.
4. Travel agents
Travel agents plan and book travel arrangements for individuals or groups.
They research destinations, compare prices, reserve flights, hotels, or tours, or advise on travel-related issues.
Now, online travel platforms, aggregators, and chatbots are becoming more accessible and sophisticated.
AI can also offer personalised and dynamic travel recommendations, itineraries, and deals based on customer preferences, behaviour, and feedback.
AI-powered travel tools are Expedia, Kayak, and Hopper.
Alternative Career. Tour guide
Tour guides lead and educate visitors on sightseeing trips or cultural experiences.
They provide historical, geographical, or cultural information, answer questions, or ensure safety and enjoyment.
Tour guiding is a job that requires more social, cultural, and storytelling skills than travel planning.
However, tour guides may also need to use AI tools to enhance their presentation, interaction, and feedback.
AI-powered tour guide tools are Detour, Guidekick, and Klook.
5. Transcriptionists
Transcriptionists convert speech or audio recordings into written text.
They may work in various fields, such as medical, legal, or academic.
They may also edit or proofread the transcribed text for accuracy and clarity.
Now due to AI, there are:
Improved speech and audio transcription tools for various contexts and languages.
AI can also generate captions, subtitles, or summaries from the transcribed text.
Some AI-powered transcription tools are Otter.AI, Rev.AI, and Trint or more.
Alternative Career: Translator
Translators are people who convert written text from one language to another.
They may work in various fields, such as literature, business, or education.
They may also adapt or localize the translated text for cultural and linguistic appropriateness and relevance.
Translation is a job that requires more linguistic, cultural, and creative skills than transcription. This makes it less prone to automation.
However, translators may also need to use AI tools to assist their translation process, quality, and efficiency.
Some AI-powered translation tools are Google Translate, DeepL, and Lilt.
Conclusion
The AI wave is real and the better we get prepared for the enormous changes in the job market.
Many jobs as listed above will disappear but many more shall emerge. Since AI technology is new, we better embrace it and make our lives better.
Also Checkout: You Must know this: Elon Musk Shared AI Concerns
Please feel free share with us other career alternatives if you know some 😍
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