Artificial intelligence and the labor market.. Will some jobs disappear in the coming years?

Global discussions continue about the impact ofArtificial Intelligenceon the labor market, amid growing concerns about the possibility of replacing some human tasks and jobs with modern technologies. However, recent data indicate that the actual impact of artificial intelligence on employment is still limited in the near term, despite the gradual expansion of the use of these technologies within companies and institutions.

According to an analysis issued by Bridgewater Associates, which specializes in investment management and global economic analysis, the risks of widespread job loss as a result of artificial intelligence are still low during the current period, in light of the limited use of the technology within many companies, in addition to the continued strength of economic activity and demand for labor in a number of sectors.

Data indicates that less than 20% of American companies use artificial intelligence in any of their operational functions during recent monitoring periods, with use more concentrated within the information, technology, and professional services sectors.

This file is linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially the eighth goal on decent work and economic growth, and the ninth goal on industry, innovation and infrastructure, in addition to the fourth goal on quality education, which highlights the importance of developing human skills to keep pace with the transformations associated with modern technologies and the labor market.

The impact of artificial intelligence on the labor market is slowing

Despite the growing global interest in artificial intelligence, it is estimated that the adoption of this technology is still in the relatively early stages within many companies and institutions.

The analysis data shows that the percentage of companies that actually use artificial intelligence is still limited compared to the size of the economy as a whole, which reduces the possibility of large-scale changes in employment in the near term.

Some technical factors also contribute to slowing down the pace of transformation, including the need for advanced digital infrastructure and large computing capabilities that allow artificial intelligence applications to run on a large scale. Organizations also need additional investment and development of operational systems before they can fully benefit from these technologies.

Experts believe that moving to business models that rely more on artificial intelligence requires time to adapt and restructure operational processes, which makes the immediate impacts on employment less severe than expected in some previous estimates.

Artificial intelligence and the labor market

Data indicates that more than 90% of companies using artificial intelligence did not record any direct impact on employment levels during the past six months.

The results also showed that some companies whose operations were affected by the use of artificial intelligence recorded increases in the number of employees more than those that witnessed job cuts, which reflects the nature of the complex relationship between technology and the labor market.

Specialists confirm that artificial intelligence does not necessarily lead to direct labor redundancy, but it may contribute to redistributing tasks, raising productivity levels, and improving performance efficiency within institutions.

In many cases, these technologies are used to support workers in performing routine tasks or analyzing data more quickly, allowing human resources to be directed towards more complex work that requires advanced human skills.

Future challenges facing the labor market

Despite the limited current impact, there are still questions about the future of the labor market as the use of artificial intelligence expands in the coming years. Some estimates indicate that the acceleration of investments in digital infrastructure and the decline in technology costs may lead to an increase in the use of artificial intelligence within companies, which may change the nature of some jobs and skills required in the future.

The report also indicated that there are other factors that may affect economic and labor market expectations, including geopolitical tensions and pressures associated with huge investments in artificial intelligence technologies.

At the same time, the continued strength of the labor market and high demand for labor may contribute to reducing potential negative impacts, especially in sectors that rely on human skills, direct interaction, and specialized expertise.

The labor market and digital transformation

Current developments reflect the importance of enhancing the readiness of the labor market to deal with accelerating digital transformations, through investing in education, continuing training, and developing skills related to modern technologies. It also highlights the importance of supporting vocational rehabilitation and continuous learning programs to help workers adapt to the new requirements imposed by digital technologies and artificial intelligence.

Many countries and institutions are moving to develop strategies aimed at building a more flexible workforce capable of taking advantage of the opportunities offered by technology, rather than focusing only on the potential risks associated with it.

For its part,The Earth Guards Foundation confirms that digital transformation and artificial intelligence can contribute to supporting economic development and raising productivity if they are linked to investing in human capital and developing future skills. It also highlights the importance of achieving a balance between technological innovation and protecting job opportunities, which contributes to building more sustainable labor markets and the ability to adapt to future changes.