Do you really think AI will take over in the next 5 years ?
So, me and my good friend were casually discussing how crazy the job market is and how we are unable to get into a good job, especially when she has over 3YoE and is really good at frontend web development.
She then casually asked me "Should we be really trying this hard to get into a job that we like, as I feel that AI will take over a big part of the IT workforce in the next 5 years?"
Though we did have a friendly argument, I strongly believe that it still needs more time than that bcz IT jobs, especially we developers, are not just limited to coding. And given the fact that OpenAI is learning off of GitHub repos, which are basically code examples are averagely written code, not well written proficient ones.
But, in General, what do you think about AI and how it is gradually dominating the IT sector ?
Talking product sense with Ridhi
9 min AI interview5 questions
Define good job. Then I'll add my points.
The usual stuff :
- A good WLB (8-9 hours of work max)
- Pay level based on what we bring to the table and maybe on YoE as well. Not expecting crazy numbers.
- A product that we'll be working on, which is actually having a positive impact OR has a strong vision of the same
- A non toxic workplace.
Apart from the 8-9 hours, the rest of the points are more of a "state of mind" of the person.
AI will not take your job, people using AI will.
Many of today's jobs will certainly become redundant, but many new ones will be created. The important thing is how fast can ee adapt to change. I have seen many disruptive technologies in my 25 years long career and one trend that I have seen is that the time available to adapt and reskill is getting shorter. The only way out is continuous learning, each week for a few hours at least. It might not be easy with the demands of modern life, but it must be done.
The number of jobs available to do in the next 2-3 decades are going to take a nose dive. We aren't prepared for it. Driving in all its forms will not require people. That's like 30% of the world's workforce. Stuff like ordering fast food, making it and deliveries will also become automated.
As for developers, the data set used to train to code will become better leading to better coding. All the raw data is there, it just needs to be cherry picked. So requirements for devs for development and support will take a nose dive.
Things that will remain are physical work like repairing cars, plumbers, electrician, server management and maintenance (system admin).
AI is a tool. Think of it like Internet.
Will it lead to redundancies in current job roles? Yes (it's already happening in copy writer roles)
Will it create new kinds of roles? Yes
Those who learn to use it faster will have an advantage over others who don't
Think of what you would do after AI takes over IT field. It would require money if its a business or some arts or content creation. What we should all be doing in IT field is making sure we are making money and saving a big percentage of it so that we get an option to move into a new field.
What everyone needs to understand that mostly AI will be like a new software we use like JIRA or VSCode, but smarter, but will still need us at the keyboard. But who knows, it might replace all these software products and programmers also. One needs to plan for that stage and thus keep earning and saving for the rainy day.
Net new job addition will go down over the years unless new industries open up. If productivity improves using these tools then Jobs will shift to cheaper countries.( why pay 150k usd in us when I can hire the same person for 40k usd in India)
AI will not take those jobs. AI assisted workers will take over the jobs.
Look at the freelance markets to know the trends.
One should be comfortable in using AI tools.