How can managers secure their jobs from AI?
AI is taking the world by storm. Worldwide, there are predictions and fears that AI will take over jobs at a massive scale. Over the ages, technical disruptions have primarily changed how the manufacturing sectors work. That’s where AI differs from the earlier ones; it can take over services, too.
Over the last few days, both OpenAI and Google have shared updates on what’s new with their AI: real-time translations from an amazing voice mode, AI overviews for Search results, and all of that is the talk of the town. But how does this change the world for managers?
What do managers even do?
Work for managers is complex to explain. It requires a mix of information processing, but you are also making decisions in a way only humans can. Over the years, data handling has become the job of software already; the other aspect of drawing conclusions and making decisions based on them is where the matter is stuck. As developments pile in, the day would not be too far.
But none of that means that managers would be redundant. Have you ever ordered pizza or made a sales call with an AI on the other end? You might not know what it feels like. People management is too crucial a function to get rid of its humanity. Yet, even that does not afford the profession’s immunity from AI and other future technology.
What does the advent of AI mean for you?
Primarily, focus on the human side of things. The future of work is about combining AI and human capacity to create more value because neither is a perfect replacement for the other. What are these human skills that we speak of? Handling interpersonal relationships, conflict resolution, collaboration, team building, and so on. Those are areas where AI cannot take over because it lacks that human touch that only you can provide. Besides, securing yourself from an AI as a manager is essentially about being a manager who knows how to effectively use AI at work.
Another thing to remember is that job development does not go in one direction solely. While some roles would be redundant once AI is here and competent, there would be many more new roles for people in the future. Software engineering is a very common profession. And why are they here? Because there is tech that they can work on. A similar wave for AI would lead to more roles being created. So, securing your job from AI could be more about evolving than safeguarding. Think of the essential AI skills and build familiarity so you are always one step ahead while moving to the future.
In sum, jobs and AI are not in a war. Instead, a churn has yet to find its full scope. Protecting your job from AI is all about knowing what AI can handle and what value you can provide over it.
