The prospect of greater automation in a variety of industries understandably has many workers worried about their long-term employment prospects. What is the likelihood of a given employee’s job being rendered obsolete by advancing technology? Even if the role doesn’t disappear entirely, the need for human labor could be drastically reduced.
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Some Jobs More at Risk Than Others
Certainly, some job categories are more likely than others to fall prey to technological advances. While we might be tempted to think first of the types of jobs that were automated decades ago or earlier through advances in machinery—i.e., manufacturing and manual labor positions—these aren’t the only positions at risk of being displaced by technological improvements.
In fact, it’s not only low-skilled, or manual labor, jobs that may be at risk, writes John Hagel III in an article for Harvard Business Review. “‘Knowledge’ work like operational analytics and marketing is also being taken over by sophisticated artificial intelligence algorithms,” he says.
But at the same time automation is creating risk for certain positions, it’s also creating some new opportunities. Hagel writes that technology is reshaping many supply and demand trends, which have impacts on global markets, meaning that some jobs may be saved from automation, although they are likely to undergo some change. “We’re generally going to see three different categories of work become more and more prominent in a rapidly changing economy,” he writes.
Creators
Hagel describes creators as people who can anticipate the rapidly evolving needs of individual customers and design and deliver creative and highly-tailored products and servers. He gives craft businesses as an example.
Composers
Composers are the people who have deep insights into the desires and aspirations of niche groups of people and can come up with creative and rewarding experiences for them.
Coaches
Finally, Hagel describes coaches as people who can help their customers reach more and more of their potential in different domains.
Rapid technological change is almost certainly going to be disruptive for the business world and the labor market. But while there are challenges that come along with disruption, there are also opportunities.
While humans’ role in the workplace may change, it won’t necessarily be eliminated. That’s good news, for you—and your staff.