AI seems to be taking a prominent seat in a lot of network groups meetings I have attended recently; from the ethics involved to the need for us all to panic for our livelihood as these online channels start to take on all the tasks that they can.
I’m no expert in Social History (and even dropped History at school for O Levels because I just didn’t get anything from the classes and it became an exercise in regurgitating facts. A complete contrast to my love for certain periods of history – I would happily watch many documentaries these days), however, I am guessing that farm workers would have been able to move into jobs in manufacturing, albeit maybe having to relocate, but not being concerned about their inability to learn and adapt to new skills.
I thought it might be interesting to see what AI thinks of three key questions:
1. Who is Going to be Able to Use AI Effectively?
Effectively using Artificial Intelligence (AI) will depend on education, access to technology, digital infrastructure, and willingness to adapt. Below are the key groups and factors that will determine who thrives in the AI-driven world.
🧠 1. Individuals with Relevant Skills and Knowledge
- AI Specialists: Machine learning engineers, data scientists, and AI researchers.
- Tech-Savvy Professionals: Those skilled in using AI tools for data analysis, content creation, or automation.
- Lifelong Learners: Individuals who proactively upskill through online courses (e.g., Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning).
- Creative Thinkers: Professionals combining AI tools with human creativity, like graphic designers using AI art tools or writers using AI for content creation.
Key Skills for Effective AI Use:
- Data Analysis & Interpretation
- Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving
- Digital Literacy
- Adaptability
🏢 2. Organizations Investing in AI Adoption
- Technology Companies: Leading tech firms (e.g., Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, IBM).
- Finance Sector: Banks and fintech companies using AI for fraud detection and risk assessment.
- Healthcare Providers: Hospitals using AI for diagnostics, robotic surgeries, and patient care optimization.
- Retail and E-Commerce: Companies using AI for personalized recommendations and logistics.
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Businesses leveraging AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, automation software) to streamline operations.
What Helps Businesses Use AI Effectively:
- Clear AI Strategy
- Skilled Workforce
- Investment in Infrastructure
- Ethical AI Practices
🌍 3. Countries with Strong Digital Infrastructure
- Developed Nations: Countries like the USA, UK, Germany, South Korea, Japan, and Canada have advanced technology adoption, infrastructure, and education systems.
- Tech-Forward Emerging Markets: Countries like China, India, and Brazil are rapidly scaling AI adoption.
Key Factors for National AI Success:
- Strong Digital Infrastructure
- Accessible Internet and Technology
- Supportive Government Policies
- Investment in AI Research
🎓 4. Educated and Digitally Literate Populations
- STEM Graduates: Those with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics backgrounds.
- AI-Aware Individuals: People familiar with basic AI tools and how they work.
- Students in AI-Focused Curricula: Youth exposed to AI education early on.
📱 5. Users of AI-Accessible Tools
- Freelancers & Content Creators: Utilizing tools like ChatGPT, MidJourney, or Stable Diffusion for writing, art, and media production.
- Small Business Owners: Automating tasks like customer service, marketing, and finance using AI tools.
- General Public with Digital Access: Individuals using AI-powered virtual assistants (e.g., Siri, Alexa) and productivity tools.
Key Accessible AI Tools:
- ChatGPT (AI Text Generation)
- DALL-E, MidJourney (AI Art Tools)
- Grammarly (AI Writing Assistant)
- Tableau, Power BI (AI Data Analysis Tools)
🚨 Who Might Struggle to Use AI Effectively?
- Low-Income Communities: Limited access to digital devices and internet services.
- Technologically Hesitant Individuals: People resistant to change or unfamiliar with digital tools.
- Regions with Poor Infrastructure: Areas lacking reliable electricity, internet, or digital infrastructure.
- Workers in Highly Automatable Jobs: Individuals in repetitive, manual labor roles without opportunities for retraining.
- Countries with Weak AI Policies: Nations without clear AI strategies, regulations, or funding for AI education.
🚀 How to Ensure Broader Access to Effective AI Use
- Education and Upskilling Programs: Increase AI and digital literacy at all education levels.
- Affordable AI Tools: Make AI platforms and software accessible to individuals and small businesses.
- Bridging the Digital Divide: Invest in better internet infrastructure, especially in rural and underserved regions.
- Government Support: Enforce inclusive AI policies to ensure no group is left behind.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Promote understanding of AI benefits and practical applications.
2. What % of the working Population will it benefit?
Global Estimates on AI Benefits
- World Economic Forum (WEF)
- By 2030, 70% of the global population could experience some form of benefit from AI, whether through healthcare, education, productivity, or everyday services.
- However, only 30%–40% of people globally might experience significant and direct benefits, depending on digital infrastructure and education access.
- PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
- AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030.
- 50% of the world’s population could see economic improvements, including better services and smarter public systems.
- UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)
- AI has the potential to improve education access for over 1 billion people, especially in remote and underserved areas.
- In healthcare, AI advancements could benefit 50% of the global population by improving diagnostics and access to telemedicine.
- McKinsey & Company
- About 60% of the global population could benefit from AI-driven productivity gains and improved service delivery.
- However, up to 30% of the world’s population (2.4 billion people) may see limited benefits due to poor infrastructure, lack of digital literacy, and unequal access to AI technology.
📌 Key Areas Where AI Can Benefit the Global Population
- Healthcare: Early disease detection, telemedicine, and personalized treatments.
- Education: AI-powered tutoring, accessibility for marginalized communities, and scalable education platforms.
- Agriculture: Smart farming techniques to increase crop yield and reduce waste.
- Financial Services: Access to banking, credit scoring, and financial literacy tools for underserved populations.
- Climate Change: AI for environmental monitoring, disaster prediction, and sustainable resource management.
- Public Services: Smart city infrastructure, efficient public transport, and better urban planning.
🚨 Barriers to Universal AI Benefits
- Digital Divide: Limited internet access and infrastructure in developing regions.
- Education Gap: Lack of digital literacy and STEM education opportunities.
- Economic Inequality: Wealthier nations benefit disproportionately from AI advancements.
- Ethical and Regulatory Concerns: AI biases and lack of transparency can create unequal outcomes.
🧠 Key Takeaways:
- Direct AI Beneficiaries by 2030: Around 30%–40% of the global population (approx. 2.4–3.2 billion people).
- Indirect AI Beneficiaries by 2030: Up to 70% of the global population (approx. 5.6 billion people).
- Left Behind Due to Barriers: Around 30% of the global population (approx. 2.4 billion people).
3. How many people will lose their job because of AI?
The impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on employment is complex and varies depending on the industry, region, and speed of technological adoption. While AI will likely replace certain tasks and jobs, it will also create new roles and opportunities.
📊 Job Displacement Estimates
- World Economic Forum (WEF) – Future of Jobs Report (2023)
- 83 million jobs are expected to be displaced by AI and automation by 2027.
- However, 69 million new jobs will be created during the same period.
- Net loss: Approximately 14 million jobs globally.
- Goldman Sachs (2023 Report)
- AI could replace 300 million full-time jobs worldwide.
- About 18% of global work could be automated by AI.
- Jobs in administration, legal services, customer support, and data entry are most at risk.
- OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)
- 27% of jobs in OECD countries are at high risk of automation.
- Routine, repetitive, and low-skilled tasks are the most vulnerable.
📌 Industries Most Affected by AI Job Loss
- Customer Service: Chatbots and virtual assistants replacing call center roles.
- Manufacturing: Robotics performing assembly line tasks.
- Transportation: Autonomous vehicles threatening driving jobs.
- Data Entry and Administrative Roles: Automation of routine documentation tasks.
- Retail and Cashiers: Self-checkout kiosks and automated inventory systems.
📈 Industries with Job Growth Due to AI
- AI Development & Engineering: Software developers, AI trainers, and data scientists.
- Cybersecurity: Protecting systems from AI-related threats.
- Healthcare: AI-assisted diagnostics, personalized medicine, and telemedicine.
- Education: AI tutors, online education platforms, and AI curriculum design.
- Creative Fields: AI-generated content still requires human creativity and oversight.
My overall takeaway has to be a glass half full with a side of caution; yes AI can automate a lot of routine jobs, but as with all things, some of these may take a human to check it’s performance. For example, look at the way social media platforms are assessing reported accounts: when you use AI that cannot detect either a pinned or posted link to prostitution accounts on other social media chat platforms, we have a problem and that’s just one of the many problems…
But above all, AI can only be as good as it’s been taught so it’s always important to check your sources when using AI. When AI learns from incorrect data or negative sources, mankind has a serious issue.
Photo by Andrea De Santis
