Home General One AI Expert Says AI Could Eliminate 40% of Jobs

One AI Expert Says AI Could Eliminate 40% of Jobs

AI Expert Kai-Fu Lee said to Scott Pelly of 60 Minutes, that “AI is going to the change the world more than anything in the history of mankind.”

Lee, who is a well-known AI expert, forecasted that artificial intelligence would not only automate but also do away with 40% of jobs in the next 15 years.

Even though the particular segment concentrated mainly on the unsettling issue, 60 Minutes failed to point out the most empowering bit of Lee’s work – with suitable skills; human beings can stand out, thrive and survive in the new era of AI.

Upon publishing his bestselling book, AI Superpowers, Lee said that artificial intelligence (AI) would replace “repetitive” tasks, particularly those jobs that are easy to automate.

He added that the technology might end up replacing numerous “white-collar” jobs in fields such as hospitality, law, marketing, healthcare, accounting, and among others.

READ MORE: Top AI Investor Says the US is Accelerating its Own Decline in AI

A Blueprint for AI and Humans to Co-Exist

In AI Superpowers, Lee provides a blueprint outlining how AI and human beings can co-exist.

The secret rests in the fact that artificial intelligence (AI) does not have emotion, one quality that differentiates humans from machines.

Lee narrates the story of his friend who developed a touchscreen device designed for elderly people at home who required assistance.

By using their fingertips, they were able to consult a doctor, watch TV and order food.

However, such tasks were not nearly as popular as the ability to talk to customer service reps.

People called customer service representatives to get someone to interact with as opposed to reporting their problems.

“Once material needs were taken care of, people wanted human contact, another person to trade stories with,” Lee writes.

Lee said that people could thrive like never before if they double-down on the qualities that make them uniquely human.

Artificial intelligence (AI) cannot build trust between two individuals or even between a company and customers.

In fact, technology cannot exhibit empathy, show passion or inspire teamwork since it lacks imagination.

READ MORE:  AI Could Replace 10,000 Jobs at Citi’s Investment Bank

Leaders have a Competitive Edge in the New Age of AI

According to Lee, in the future, jobs will require empathetic, compassionate, and creative leaders who build teams, create trust, communicate effectively, and inspire service.

Lee said: “People don’t want to listen to robots making speeches, leading the company, or giving pep talks.

They do want to listen to robots in conversation making friends or earning our lifelong trust.

Nor do they want a robot to do tasks like teachers and nurses. We will end up with the inevitable outcome that large numbers of routine jobs will be eliminated and large numbers of empathetic jobs will be created.”

Empathy is the key aspect of succeeding as a leader in this era of AI.

“Leadership is about emotions. Great leaders are exquisitely attuned to others’ emotions,” wrote Dr Helen Riess in The Empathy Effect.

She cited neurobiology studies which show that many individuals have a fondness “for leaders who above all else express empathy and compassion.” Empathetic leaders not only identify the feelings of others but also respond to them appropriately.

MORE: Facial Recognition: All you Need to Know


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KC Cheung
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