AI Over The Years

 

Artificial Intelligence and the Job Market

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has grown throughout the years since its small start in the video game sector. Examples of this include self-park features on vehicles, self-ordering stations at McDonald's, and payments through facial recognitions in China. 

I remember the first time I truly took a step back and examined the usage of AI in school. It was the summer of 11th grade and I was at Governor's School studying social science (also known as nerd camp). In one of the lectures, we had to argue our support or opposition for the use of AI and why. At the time, my peers and I laughed at the thought that AI could truly be a threat to our future careers. Less than two years later, I'm looking at the same arguments, and I'm not laughing as much this time. 

Forbes recently ranked six reasons why Generation Z is struggling to find jobs -the number one struggle being competition with AI. From a business standpoint I can understand the push to use AI. AI can't call out sick, has a higher return rate over time, and doesn't have an ill-reputation. However, as a young woman looking to enter the work-force in the next two to three years, this worries me. How am I supposed to find a job if all the entry level positions are filled by an algorithm that on the grand scheme of things is much more capable than me. Just a couple of days after watching Frontline's film, on the growth of AI, I talked to one of my professor's about my concerns. Surprisingly enough, he had a much more positive outlook on the usage of AI and said that AI would in-fact take jobs, but that this is what happens overtime. An example he used to support his argument comes from the U.S Department of Agriculture, in that 9 out of every 10 Americans would have been a farmer in 1790. Overtime this statistic has dropped to about 2% of Americans being farmers. Overtime, farmers were replaced by machines that could do the job much more efficiently and quicker. The concern with AI really has to do with its rapid growth. 

As far as AI's impact on my family directly, I don't see it being much of a concern. My father has worked for the government for the past 30 years and my brother will start his job working for the government in the near future. From my father's service to the government, he has his Thrift Savings Plan, 401K, and job security. 

far as myself, I'm not the most concerned with the rapid growth of AI. Recently with looking for career options I've settled on pursuing a career working for the government, and becoming a Foreign Service Officer. I believe that this job is fairly protected depending on placement as well as the humanity factor that is required for it. Unlike a job with McDonald's in which I am alright ordering and prefer ordering from a machine, I cannot fathom relying on a robot to represent my country. The government is also quite conservative with its usage of technology, sometimes it almost feels like a blast from the past. 

Concerns for my friends vary in a way. I talked with my friend who goes to a different university about her concerns with AI, and they were fairly neutral. She actually remarked that she is encouraged to use AI as grounds for inspiration for her work -which is how I believe AI should be implemented in schools. On the other hand, I worry for my friends pursuing degrees in Computer Science in which the field for that is becoming much more competitive. 

To my surprise, the government is already becoming involved with the usage of AI, with the planned launch of the Global AI Research Agenda. The Biden Administration signed an executive order on 30 October 2023, that focuses on the responsible usage of AI. I firmly believe that AI is a threat to the everyday American citizen's job and that it is the government's job to step in before it is too late. AI has grown to the point that it can mimic voices. Imagine being arrested based off of an incriminating phone call that you did not make just because someone used AI to mimic your voice. I actually wished that this topic was focused on more with the election this year. Do I believe that a law should be passed about the responsible and extent for the usage of AI? Yes. I believe that passing a law that allows for only so much of the company to be filled by AI jobs. 

At the end of the day, there are steps that can be taken to protect one's self from the negative side of AI. 

(1) Review Privacy Settings. Oftentimes we share data with sites that we don't need to. This allows for AI to "steal" and sell data. 

(2) Review Personal Identifiable Information (PII) that IS Public. This is a huge one with social media platforms and hiding small details makes a difference in the long-run. Examples of details to hide include your phone number, birthday, hometown, and workplace information.

(3) Don't Answer the Phone. Unless you're expecting a call from an unknown number, do NOT answer the phone. If it's important enough the caller will leave a message. This is a growing tactic that is used in which a simple "yes" to an answer over the phone can be used to mimic one's voice and be crafted in ways to use in scams. 

As a student, the biggest thing I can do is develop a unique and diverse set of skills that set me apart from AI. Knowing how to responsibly use AI, as well as displaying skills to potential employers that only I have, helps to protect my job in the future. Only time will tell if AI will become more harmful in the upcoming years, but at its current rate of growth, I would argue that its bound to.