Artificial intelligence or AI refers to machines, programs or online tools that simulate human behavior and actions to perform activities we humans normally do.
Take for example: conversations.
In the tourism industry they have grown accustomed to using chatbots as frontliners in most customer support transactions they receive.
This means one hotel before could have employed 2 to 3 different person to handle customer calls, chats, texts, or emails answering questions and reservations but they’ve all been replaced by a single chatbot programmed to automatically answer with no fail using templates that can fire up 24/7.
Your job could be in danger next but you could actually do something to stop that from happening.
I’ll tell you in a second but take this one other sample first:
https://vimeo.com/435619731
Take for example: conversations.
In the tourism industry they have grown accustomed to using chatbots as frontliners in most customer support transactions they receive.
This means one hotel before could have employed 2 to 3 different person to handle customer calls, chats, texts, or emails answering questions and reservations but they’ve all been replaced by a single chatbot programmed to automatically answer with no fail using templates that can fire up 24/7.
Your job could be in danger next but you could actually do something to stop that from happening.
I’ll tell you in a second but take this one other sample first:
https://vimeo.com/435619731
I will wait for you to come back after watching that short clip.
Done?
To be honest with you, this video prompted this article. I was mortified just the same as the woman calling the airline.
She was answered by an AI operator who understood her query despite the background noise from her children and barking dog then goes on resolving her problem to rebook a flight in under two minutes!
That’s impressive and her last words grabbed my attention most: “I can’t believe that was a machine”.
This is our reality now. That machine could displace so many jobs in many industries! And I have been helping companies to usher this era.
Apart from writing, I also currently work full time as a virtual assistant since 2014.
This is very ironic considering most of these technologies COULD POTENTIALLY replace me in a few years time.
It’s a scary, scary thought.
But despite the current pandemic since 2020 and all the hype about AI replacing me every year, I still work online as a writer, digital assistant, and marketer.
I didn’t have to take a single month or day off because there’s no work.
I am lucky enough to have settled working from home years before it was the only option.
I didn’t miss corporate/office life at all.
I was prepared.
I enjoy the perks of being at home and still earning.
I am proving the point that you could avoid being replaced by automatic software by doing one thing: being versatile.
I am a triple threat digital specialist. The question now is how you can be like that too?
First, let us be clear: you can’t be very good at the beginning, no one is. You can’t be good at many things at once when you’re still starting! There is a process we should all be going through.
Here are steps you can take.
Done?
To be honest with you, this video prompted this article. I was mortified just the same as the woman calling the airline.
She was answered by an AI operator who understood her query despite the background noise from her children and barking dog then goes on resolving her problem to rebook a flight in under two minutes!
That’s impressive and her last words grabbed my attention most: “I can’t believe that was a machine”.
This is our reality now. That machine could displace so many jobs in many industries! And I have been helping companies to usher this era.
Apart from writing, I also currently work full time as a virtual assistant since 2014.
This is very ironic considering most of these technologies COULD POTENTIALLY replace me in a few years time.
It’s a scary, scary thought.
But despite the current pandemic since 2020 and all the hype about AI replacing me every year, I still work online as a writer, digital assistant, and marketer.
I didn’t have to take a single month or day off because there’s no work.
I am lucky enough to have settled working from home years before it was the only option.
I didn’t miss corporate/office life at all.
I was prepared.
I enjoy the perks of being at home and still earning.
I am proving the point that you could avoid being replaced by automatic software by doing one thing: being versatile.
I am a triple threat digital specialist. The question now is how you can be like that too?
First, let us be clear: you can’t be very good at the beginning, no one is. You can’t be good at many things at once when you’re still starting! There is a process we should all be going through.
Here are steps you can take.
1) Never stop learning and be adaptable
My first skill, writing, was honed by years of experience at school. I thought I could use it as a stepping stone into the world of work.
Coincidentally, my very first job was as a digital writer and team manager. Quite a huge task for someone who just got out of university.
I aced it!
From there, I learned how to become a virtual assistant. I still am one today. I work with small companies, creators, and ecommerce specialists around the globe to bring in clarity to their day to day tasks they don’t need to be bothered with so they can focus on their main business goals whatever it may be: getting more sales, more leads, or more students.
Then again, I did not stop improving myself.
As a writer, it was natural for me to learn SEO (search engine optimization), marketing, copywriting, etc. I evolved from just writing blogs to writing copy that sells. I know intricacies of sales funnels and how to optimize them and persuade customers to want more.
But see, this was years in the making. I will be almost 10 years in the industry by 2022. That’s a long time. You can take shortcuts but know that as cliché as it sounds I still believe in this quote:
“Rome wasn’t built in a day”.
Last year, I took more opportunity to learn more by spending on courses, creating my own website to sell digital products, and learning how to edit and post my own vlogs using a free powerful software.
NEVER STOP LEARNING and become irreplaceable!
2) Target industries or positions that are less susceptible to machine learning dominated tools
Writing is an industry ripe for change. This simple search in Product Hunt for the keyword “artificial writer” shows a huge pile of results full of tools that are aimed at replacing us.
Sidenote: I absolutely love Product Hunt. It’s a simple website showcasing the most recent technology companies offering solutions to many of the world’s work related problems such as tracking your time, or quick ways to share huge files online. Give it a spin!
Yet I stayed writing and became more skilled so no machine can replace me regardless.
That’s one way to go at it but if you want to play safe then invest your time entering industries that will not just be pandemic-free but also AI-resistant.
These industries didn’t stop (in fact some of them doubled in revenue) during Corona last year:
I have a video here if you prefer visual aids. Subscribe if you think it’s worth your time.
As for industries that were perceived to have low impact on AI or machine learning replacing workers, a list from Financial Times care of McKinsey Global Institute says a bleak picture:
Every industry is susceptible, what you should understand is that not everyone in all industries has work that’s easy enough to be automated.
For example, in education, educators who manage other teachers, have a specialty expertise no one else does, or have unpredictable physical duties are less susceptible.
But for any industry, those who do tasks such as collect data, process data, and do actual physical work, there’s a 30% chance of automation change.
Different jobs that are less susceptible have specialties or duties that only they can do such as legislators, psychiatrists, statisticians, or fashion designers. Whereas travel agents, stock clerks, web developers, and even graders or agricultural machine operators can all be easily replaced by robots.
In short, choose a job that you have a specialty at and will make you less susceptible to becoming replaced.
3) AI is not perfect nor will it ever be as good as humans in certain areas so capitalize on strengthening your skill sets that will never be replaceable!
Robots are stupid. Here’s a quick funny compilation to prove that point. Search “robot fails” on Youtube and you can find dozens!
They could steal your jobs but not ALL. That’s the operative word right there. Plus even if AI is here to stay, it won’t mean the end of all jobs.
On the contrary, the majority of our labor force need not be replaced, but just re-trained to interact and better operate new technology.
Managers can now rely on machines to do menial, repetitive, but high value backend tasks so they can focus more on other high-value activities such as coaching people.
High-skill tech workers involved in developing and deploying the tech solutions needed for automation will also be in high-demand.
Machines may take on more predictable tasks such as serving guests, taking orders, or answering calls but for humans in the workplace, invest your time in human skills that no machine may ever be able to replicate: creativity, emotional intelligence, leadership, and coaching.
Think of AI as helping us in a way. It’s just a mindset change.
That shift is free but will change your outlook forever
Here’s the thing, in whatever work or industry you are in right now, can you think of any mundane tasks you could willingly pass off to machines?
These are super simple tasks that if taken off your list of to-dos will free you up to do more things that matter thus helping your productivity rates on a daily basis.
AI helps productivity so you are assigned to more upskill tasks! Suddenly the future is not looking as bleak as it used to. Right?
If you’ve read long enough, I know you are just as inspired and determined as me.
AI is here, we should learn how to adapt and live with it, and always be ready for the next change it can provide us.
And in order to beat it, always be a valuable, irreplaceable worker, friends!
Comment below to discuss this article and I hope to see you again next week for new stories!
My first skill, writing, was honed by years of experience at school. I thought I could use it as a stepping stone into the world of work.
Coincidentally, my very first job was as a digital writer and team manager. Quite a huge task for someone who just got out of university.
I aced it!
From there, I learned how to become a virtual assistant. I still am one today. I work with small companies, creators, and ecommerce specialists around the globe to bring in clarity to their day to day tasks they don’t need to be bothered with so they can focus on their main business goals whatever it may be: getting more sales, more leads, or more students.
Then again, I did not stop improving myself.
As a writer, it was natural for me to learn SEO (search engine optimization), marketing, copywriting, etc. I evolved from just writing blogs to writing copy that sells. I know intricacies of sales funnels and how to optimize them and persuade customers to want more.
But see, this was years in the making. I will be almost 10 years in the industry by 2022. That’s a long time. You can take shortcuts but know that as cliché as it sounds I still believe in this quote:
“Rome wasn’t built in a day”.
Last year, I took more opportunity to learn more by spending on courses, creating my own website to sell digital products, and learning how to edit and post my own vlogs using a free powerful software.
NEVER STOP LEARNING and become irreplaceable!
2) Target industries or positions that are less susceptible to machine learning dominated tools
Writing is an industry ripe for change. This simple search in Product Hunt for the keyword “artificial writer” shows a huge pile of results full of tools that are aimed at replacing us.
Sidenote: I absolutely love Product Hunt. It’s a simple website showcasing the most recent technology companies offering solutions to many of the world’s work related problems such as tracking your time, or quick ways to share huge files online. Give it a spin!
Yet I stayed writing and became more skilled so no machine can replace me regardless.
That’s one way to go at it but if you want to play safe then invest your time entering industries that will not just be pandemic-free but also AI-resistant.
These industries didn’t stop (in fact some of them doubled in revenue) during Corona last year:
- E-sports / Content creator (video, blog, art, etc)
- Media/Press
- Medical/Pharmaceutical
- Law enforcement/government
- Online deliveries
- Online / freelancing jobs
I have a video here if you prefer visual aids. Subscribe if you think it’s worth your time.
As for industries that were perceived to have low impact on AI or machine learning replacing workers, a list from Financial Times care of McKinsey Global Institute says a bleak picture:
Every industry is susceptible, what you should understand is that not everyone in all industries has work that’s easy enough to be automated.
For example, in education, educators who manage other teachers, have a specialty expertise no one else does, or have unpredictable physical duties are less susceptible.
But for any industry, those who do tasks such as collect data, process data, and do actual physical work, there’s a 30% chance of automation change.
Different jobs that are less susceptible have specialties or duties that only they can do such as legislators, psychiatrists, statisticians, or fashion designers. Whereas travel agents, stock clerks, web developers, and even graders or agricultural machine operators can all be easily replaced by robots.
In short, choose a job that you have a specialty at and will make you less susceptible to becoming replaced.
3) AI is not perfect nor will it ever be as good as humans in certain areas so capitalize on strengthening your skill sets that will never be replaceable!
Robots are stupid. Here’s a quick funny compilation to prove that point. Search “robot fails” on Youtube and you can find dozens!
They could steal your jobs but not ALL. That’s the operative word right there. Plus even if AI is here to stay, it won’t mean the end of all jobs.
On the contrary, the majority of our labor force need not be replaced, but just re-trained to interact and better operate new technology.
Managers can now rely on machines to do menial, repetitive, but high value backend tasks so they can focus more on other high-value activities such as coaching people.
High-skill tech workers involved in developing and deploying the tech solutions needed for automation will also be in high-demand.
Machines may take on more predictable tasks such as serving guests, taking orders, or answering calls but for humans in the workplace, invest your time in human skills that no machine may ever be able to replicate: creativity, emotional intelligence, leadership, and coaching.
Think of AI as helping us in a way. It’s just a mindset change.
- What the media wants you to believe: AI is scary, it will take away your jobs, resist it.
- What you should do instead: AI is here to help, boost your productivity and create better job opportunities.
That shift is free but will change your outlook forever
Here’s the thing, in whatever work or industry you are in right now, can you think of any mundane tasks you could willingly pass off to machines?
- Arranging your calendar?
- Reminding you of your next meeting?
- Filling out hundreds of forms?
- Ordering your usual food items?
These are super simple tasks that if taken off your list of to-dos will free you up to do more things that matter thus helping your productivity rates on a daily basis.
AI helps productivity so you are assigned to more upskill tasks! Suddenly the future is not looking as bleak as it used to. Right?
If you’ve read long enough, I know you are just as inspired and determined as me.
AI is here, we should learn how to adapt and live with it, and always be ready for the next change it can provide us.
And in order to beat it, always be a valuable, irreplaceable worker, friends!
Comment below to discuss this article and I hope to see you again next week for new stories!
