Would It Be So Bad If AI Took Some of Our Jobs?
The idea of artificial intelligence (AI) replacing jobs has been controversial topic, especially within the creative industry. As AI begins to appear in every aspect of our lives, many fear that human creativity will become obsolete. But what if the implementation of AI could actually improve the way creative departments function and value their employees, and dare I say, lead to increased creativity?
The New Grad Hazing Ritual: If you’ve been there, you know the story— fresh out of college with an advanced degree, only to be labeled “underqualified” and assigned to menial tasks that hardly utilize our full potential. Jobs requesting 5–10 years of experience that we could do with our eyes closed are out of reach. The industry requires you to pay your dues before you can truly enter the advanced stages of your career.
New graduates are often stuck in a cycle of mundane jobs that ultimately cause their freshly-sharpened skills to atrophy. By the time these professionals finally reach positions that value their expertise, they may struggle to recall the knowledge they gained in school, much of which is already outdated.
AI and Job Restructuring: The fear that AI will replace creative jobs is understandable, but perhaps we should look at it as an opportunity to restructure our workplaces. AI could potentially handle the repetitive and time-consuming tasks that often make up the bulk of entry-level positions. By automating these aspects of the job, we would not only improve efficiency but also allow companies to focus on hiring and nurturing talent for more advanced, meaningful roles.
Improved Career Outcomes: Burnout has become a pressing issue for both employees and employers, with many resigning outright or quietly quitting to cope with stress. By allowing educated workers to enter the job market at a higher level, we can foster an environment where professionals can quickly build on their valuable college experience. This shift could pave the way for a work culture where employees can achieve a better work-life balance early in their career and ultimately retire comfortably.
Improved Corporate Outcomes: In this new paradigm, jobs could become more lucrative more quickly, enabling professionals to manage their student loan debt while also contributing more to the tax system. By reducing the reliance on overworked, underpaid employees, corporations may even see a decrease in overhead costs, provided they are held accountable for responsibly restructuring in the new age of AI. This approach could lead to a more sustainable, equitable, and fulfilling work environment, where human ingenuity is appreciated and nurtured while AI handles the tedious tasks that once bogged down creative professionals.
Of course, the fear is that corporations will not embrace this change due to their profit-driven structures. I’d urge you to consider the fact that companies ultimately seek to maximize their returns on investment. By capitalizing on the strengths of both AI and human creativity, businesses can drive innovation, improve efficiency, and foster employee satisfaction, ultimately leading to increased productivity and profitability. Though they’re reducing human interaction at the lower levels, this improves the reach of the company and increases innovation, creativity, and productivity.
Valuing Human Brilliance: How might assigning repetitive tasks to artificial intelligence increase the value of human ingenuity? By delegating menial tasks to AI, creative departments could begin to truly value the human minds behind their success. Rather than wasting time on data entry and other mundane jobs, professionals would be free to apply their expertise, creativity, and critical thinking skills.
Furthermore, public pressure and corporate social responsibility initiatives can play a significant role in encouraging organizations to adopt more sustainable and equitable work practices. By valuing human brilliance and integrating AI to handle repetitive tasks, companies can create a more balanced and harmonious work environment that benefits not only their employees but also their bottom line.
In the end, the fact that we’re talking about this is what will keep companies from allowing AI to take over all our jobs. Keep talking. Keep thinking. Keep processing. Together, we can use the power of AI to improve our work, increase our productivity, and truly harness the power of our creativity.
