According to a recent Globe and Mail article
“58% of Canadians believe that advances in technology will create mass unemployment.”
You know what contributes to mass unemployment? People who do not or will not adapt to an ever-evolving economy.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not going to steal your job.
You’re going to let it take your job.
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Industries are changing every day. Don’t believe me? Remember the palm pilot?
When I was a kid we had a man deliver milk to our door once a week. I can’t imagine you have seen a milkman in the last few decades. My dad’s buddy was a travelling vacuum salesman. When was the last time a salesman came to your door to sell you a vacuum? Along with being teachers, my parents had a books and records store. Remember records?
The point is booming industries change and so too must the people in them. The milkman trade may not exist but my guess is my milkman went on to live a full life because he re-tooled and found another job.
Every job is temporary. If you want to maintain employment and ensure your employability in the future you need to pay attention to what is happening in the labour market. As we can see, markets are changing!
“We are moving from an industrial economy to a digital, distributed economy”
If you want to future-proof your career, listen to what leading scholar Ernie Wilson has to say about the five skills needed by employers.
The 5 Skills Employers Seek in Today’s Digital Economy
The Five skills he recommends are:
- 360-degree Thinking
- Cultural Competence
- Empathy
- Adaptability
- Intellectual Curiosity
Earlier this week at the Artificial Intelligence Conference in San Francisco Tim O’Reilly, founder and CEO of O’Reilly Media invited us to…
” Search for the way AI is beautiful and helps us to build a better world.”
I invite all Canadians (especially the 58% who fear AI will cause mass unemployment) to embrace and be open to the notion that artificial intelligence is saving lives and helping the world.
Guard against complacency
Remember no ‘one’ or no ‘thing’ can steal a job from you. The job is not yours. You do not own it. You have earned the trust of your employer. You do not get to keep that job unless you regularly maintain and reinforce the employer’s trust.
Change can be scary. If you keep yourself informed about what’s happening in your industry and stay ahead of the curve you can easily manage changes that come your way.
- No door-to-door salesmen, milkman, blockbuster video clerk, or fax machine salesman was intentionally or otherwise harmed in the writing of this post.
Related Categories: Career Clarity, Job Search
About The Author
Maureen McCann is an award-winning career coach, master resume writer, and master certified interview, employment, and career strategist whose clients include C-level executives, managers, and professionals in all industries including the Canadian banking, oil and gas, healthcare, IT, and government sectors.